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Ok Sportster guys, stand up...

66481 Views 250 Replies 144 Participants Last post by  Spade115
Ok so I've been going to rallies all my life. It started in the early 70's for me and the difference between a rally today and a rally in the days of yore are profound. And one of the biggest differences that bugs me the most is the way the Sportster gets treated at runs/rallies now.

They get tagged as a "bitch-bike" or a "little" bike, and in terms of status, well let's just say I have to look up a lot of noses before I can look a fellow rider in the eyes....

The way I have always seen it is quite different. The Sportster is the Hot Rod of the brand. It is smaller, lighter, and tighter - it always reminds me of a little Duece roadster, cut-down and purpose built for racing. It is the best performer out of the box and it is built to handle and perform quite well thank you very much. In fact back when my dad was young he told me that the Sporty was the bike to have. It was the bike of choice for most younger guys and the larger bikes were left for the old men. When his friends and he were out chopping & stretching a bike it was usually a Sporty. And the whole time I was growing up my father always had a hopped Sportster around. Maybe that's why I love them.

When the time came for me to get a bike of my own there was no question - it had to be a Sporty. I could have bought a Super Glide or a Softtail. Cost was never the issue. I actually WANTED a Sportster!!

So why should I feel like I am getting sand kicked in my face at a rally? The answer is - I shouldn't. When we get rolliing on the road and the big bike riders get throttle happy or start fooling around, I can take solice in the knowledge that my "little" bike will stomp a big fucking mud-hole in their ass at the drop of a hat.......

So they might have a more flashy or a prettier bike than I do, so what. I put all my dough into the "GO".....Chrome can't bring it home as they say.


So there it is. Anyone else feel the way I do? Post up some pics of your "little" bike and tell me how you feel. This is our place, and we should stand up and be counted, together.....that plus I want to know how many other guys dig Sporties. :)
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Yeah, but did their check cash...

No shame in your game holmes, it's what they pay for. Right on.

earl schieb said:
Yeah, no shit...
fwiw, that WAS a Fatboy fender. I cut it to her husband's specs. Damn shame...front and rear both have "OCC points"... bleh.
bones35 said:
i wish i could have kept mine, i loved riding that baby like riding a bmx bike.
That bike is muy bitchen. Very nice.
Tony Bones said:
That bike is muy bitchen. Very nice.
Yea, I was thinking the same damn thing, that fucker is tits man. It just shot up my favorites list......
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El Caballo said:
Adam, show me how the Z-bars look on your bike, i have been searching for a set to put on mine. That is just one thing, I plan a repaint and engine mods. If I have any money left over I'll get a spoke rear wheel.
Here are some pics of the bike under construction, and me from about 2 years ago.

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Here is a pic of my bike (blue) and my brothers (red). I just put the old tank on it so i could ride it. I still need to put the smaller tank on.

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Here is my 72 sporty....Oddly enough most guys ask me what kind of bike it is...some have even asked if it was a pan or knuck...weird.

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ChopSully said:
Here is my 72 sporty....Oddly enough most guys ask me what kind of bike it is...some have even asked if it was a pan or knuck...weird.
I love sportsters. I like small quick bikes. I love my 71. I never have really had any macho macho dudes pull anything with me though. A few remarks about not having a seat but that is about it. Viva la sportster!!!

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I am sure that many people have gotten into bike because of the affordability and availability of the sportster. There are a ton of them, they aren't out of the realm of the average income, and they are a Harley. Most of the haters are the RUBs (rich urban bikers). I dont think they even care about looks but about price tag and ego. IMHO the sportster is very important in american biker history. The old school guys know whats up. In the end the only thing that matters is that its yours and you like looking it at it everyday. Same can be said about the old lady.

-b
Adam, was your bike a custom? I'm sure it was. Also, what rear fender is that?

Adam said:
bones35 said:
i wish i could have kept mine, i loved riding that baby like riding a bmx bike.
To me Bones nailed the look - what kind of frame is that? I like that compact look
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This is my '78, hopefully it will be on the road in a couple weeks. I'm putting the spoke rims back on it, I never cared much for the mags. My carb kit, rear tire, and wheel bearings should be in early next week. I've still gotta take it over and have a guy set my tranny up in the case. I haven't had a bike on the road in about a year and a half, I'm ready to get back on a bike.

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Buddy of mine wants to trade his sporty plus cash for my Duc. I can't decide if I want a sportster anymore. Hatch is building my XS. If not for that I might feel differently. I never wanted a Harley to have a Harley. We built the bike together in 99/2000. So it does have some sentimental value. Red and white '57 style tank, red frame, 21" spoke front, aluminum spoke stock wheel in back, Buell pistons and heads... it's NICE. But the XS/Triumph stuff is more my speed. I'm not sure what to do.
i've owned a couple sportsters were always a lot of fun.When i out run my brother inlaws big twin on one he swore me to silence,it was our own little joke i enjoyed needling him about over the years.
dixiedog said:
To me Bones nailed the look - what kind of frame is that? I like that compact look
www.fredsframes.com
El Caballo said:
Adam, was your bike a custom? I'm sure it was. Also, what rear fender is that?
Yes, it was a custsom. The rear fender is from a 80's sportster. I cut it right above the tail ligt hole and mounted the tomb stone tail light.
Django said:
Buddy of mine wants to trade his sporty plus cash for my Duc. I can't decide if I want a sportster anymore. Hatch is building my XS. If not for that I might feel differently. I never wanted a Harley to have a Harley. We built the bike together in 99/2000. So it does have some sentimental value. Red and white '57 style tank, red frame, 21" spoke front, aluminum spoke stock wheel in back, Buell pistons and heads... it's NICE. But the XS/Triumph stuff is more my speed. I'm not sure what to do.
Keep the Duc and wait til the XS is finished to have your chop, I saw the picture of that Duc that is a sweet ride that a sportster will never match, I know I have both. Sportsters are nice but that Ducati is awesome.
I love the Duc but I think it's time to move on. Looks like were going to do the trade. Best part is when I come out to SoCal to visit him, I can ride the Duc through the canyons (he'll take his Buell race bike). I know he'll take care of it too.

Here's the sporty. I don't expect it be be a Duc, so I think I will be ok. If not, I can always get something else. 10 years of sport bike riding coming to an end! I'm not sure if that's good or bad...

That tach is long gone, so don't everybody freak out about that...

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Here's the "girl's bike" I built. I sold it last year. I had a lot of fun with this one. First & second go around...corn

http://www.geocities.com/cornfed63/sporty1.html

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