As you might expect, girdler traces the history of the sportster. How harleydavidson drove topline growth and profitability with revolutionary lean product development hardcover. Archives at the harleydavidson museum harleydavidson usa. A window into our workspace lets museum visitors see the archives team at work restoring items to display condition.
Great history book and not just from a factory perspective. These models k, kk, kh, and khk of 1952 to 1956 had a sidevalve engine, whereas the later xl sportster models use an overhead valve engine. View our entire inventory of new or used harleydavidson motorcycles. Sportster history 19661979 article by mark trotta when harleydavidson bolted their new overheadvalve motor to the kmodel frame in 1957, the sportster legend began. History of the harleydavidson sportster graphic titlemax. Before moving to the museum in 2008, the archives was housed at the companys juneau avenue headquarters in milwaukee behind closed doors. Learn about the history of the harleydavidson sportster.
Select a 2008 harleydavidson xl1200l sportster 1200 low. View the harleydavidson xl sportster 1200 price to get the best deal on your motorcycle. Theyre also very distinct and stand out amongst other bikes that are available in the market. In 1952, the predecessors to the sportster, the model k sport and sport solo motorcycles, were introduced. Harleydavidson sportster performance handbook motorbooks. Go on a 60year ride with harleydavidsons sportster. Motorcycles on autotrader has listings for new and used harleydavidson sportster motorcycles for sale near you. Money back guarantee ensures you receive the item you ordered or get your money back.
Harleydavidson panhead vtwin motorcycles history of the big twin. This is why purists believe that 1969 is the last real xlch. Celebrate a century of the most exciting motorcycles ever made in 448 exciting, thrillinducing pages of color photographs. Harleydavidson created their sportster partly as a result of losing sales and prestige to the quick and nimble british motorcycles being imported into the united states in the fifties as britains government used an export or perish economic model to pay off her war debts. A book so popular its in reprint even before its released. Timeline of harleydavidson history motorcycle cruiser. Choose your harleydavidson motorcycle to get the suggested retail or tradein value. Sportster history 19801985 classic motorcycle build. Srk cycles inventory click here to see to rent a motorcycle. Check out the styling and features, see the models, and more. History of the harleydavidson sportster gear patrol.
We take a look back at the harleydavidson xr1200 in this. Things got a little weird in the american motorcycle industry after world war ii. Harleydavidson sportster history 197020 haynes manuals. The sportster kept the ks best features, borrowed the improvements of the imports, threw in some homemade hot rodding, and before you could say superbikea term invented to describe the xlchthe sportster was making history, setting sales and speed records, and introducing people to the sport of motorcycling and the mystique of harleydavidson. Contact us now and find the perfect motorcycle for yourself and your adventures in front of you. This book tells how and why, in sequence, from the circumstances and models that preceded the xl through to the 1200 evo, with its. And with over 40 years of knowledge about motorcycle values and pricing, you can rely on kelley blue book. History of the harley davidson fxr deadbeat customs. However, in 2014 harley gave the bike a substantial update, changing how it was wired, how the fuel injection. Like an oldtime outlaw thats been taught manners, todays 883 is a refined and finely evolved riding machine. Popular harley davidson books goodreads share book.
We strongly urge you to take the affected motorcycle to an authorized harleydavidson dealer to have the appropriate service performed as soon as possible. Harleydavidson book explores motorcycle history hypebeast. The harley davidson sportster had been produced since the late 1950s but its roots date back as early as 1919 with the iconic model w motorcycle, which featured a unique flattwin engine. I used to own a 1994 sportster xlh1200, and i wanted to learn more about the history of the sportster. The harleydavidson panhead vtwin was introduced in 1947 in 61 and 74inch versions. This book aims to change all that and to show every sportster rider how to free the beast in his or her bike. Theres plenty of harleydavidson history on display in our galleries and exhibits, and even more to experience on our behindthescenes tours. It premiers as a 55 cubic inch overhead valve engine, and within one year of its debut. Noted for distinct styling and exhaust sound, harleydavison has established itself as a worldrenowned brand and is a major influential source of the modern. This article was originally published in the june 2003 issue of motorcycle cruiser.
Sportster history 1980 1985 article by mark trotta. Browse harleydavidson xr1200 motorcycles for sale on. All sportster models, including the xlch, shared the frame and engine cases from the xlh electric start. The motorcycling public met a new motorcycle called the sportster in 1957. The current haynes manual for the harleydavidson sportster covers recently produced models from 20, but goes back all the way to 1970. Noted for distinct styling and exhaust sound, harleydavison has established itself as a worldrenowned brand and is a major influential source of the modern chopper. Accelerating anywhere above 2,000 rpm, downshifting was not really necessary.
Harleys are big, beefy, powerful, and command a mighty presence on the road. The harleydavidson sportster is a line of motorcycles produced continuously since 1957 by harleydavidson. The midsized harleydavidson xl1200 sportster makes a lot of sense. Before you start writing that angry email, consider this. One hundred years is a long time for any manufacturing concern to carry on, especially a company that manufactures something as nonessential only practically speaking.
Its the ultimate insider view of motorcycle history. But give the throttle a twist and it doesnt take long to bring out its moveitorloseit spirit. Harley davidson sportster by allan girdler and ron hussey. Harleydavidson sportster allan girdler, ron hussey on. Only 4812 miles slim s 110 ci screamin eagle motor, engine guard, detachable windshield, triple. However, in 2014 harley gave the bike a substantial update. It would be fair to say that harley davidson is the bike that all bikes aspire to be when they grow up. Harleydavidson did for motorcycles with the original sportster. History of the harleydavidson sportster pursuit of. With images of every harley ever produced and sold, and complete.
Sportster models are designated in harleydavidsons product code by beginning with xl. A history at the beginning starts in 1981 when the evo project was first thought of through to the first evo in 1986 and the subsequent major and minor upgrades that give us the sportster of today. First off, why an article about the harleydavidson sportster. Its got a bit more presence, punch and space than the smaller 883cc family but without the weight and unwieldy feel of the.
Harleydavidson sportster performance handbook, 3rd. While the 1980s brought us highrevving, multicylinder motorcycles with 10,000 redlines, the harleydavidson sportster was still getting it done at 5,500 rpm. Harleydavidson sportster, sixty years by allan girdler. And the growing lineup now gives you more starting points than ever on the road to your ultimate custom creation. Harleydavidson sportster history reaching every niche. For 43 years, there is enough in common that we did not feel the need to create a whole new book.
This book provides a comprehensive history of american print automobile advertising over a halfcentury span. The company has survived numerous ownership arrangements, subsidiary arrangements, periods of poor economic health. New riders wanted something different than what the old xl had to offer so hd rethought not just the model line, but the concept, adding in new comforts. Harleydavidson values and pricing youre looking for and with over 40 years of knowledge about motorcycle values and pricing, you can rely on kelley blue book. It was one of two major american motorcycle manufacturers to survive the great depression, along with indian. The complete history celebrates these iconic motorcycles, presenting them all in one beautifully illustrated book. Check out some of the historical highlights in the hd history timeline. Xr1200 for sale harleydavidson motorcycles cycle trader. The sportster is americas first superbike full stop. Also, this venerable model has been around a long time and has a legion of devoted fans. Both of these were tremors compared to the earthshaker harleydavidson created in 2004. Welcome to harley k model, dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the 1952 to 1956 harleydavidson flathead unit. In 1970, the early frames and cases were discontinued.
Straight from the factory, in its standard form, the sportster routinely proves an entrylevel motorcycle providing a relatively tame ride. The most beloved and recognizable motorcycles are included here. Buy a discounted hardcover of harleydavidson sportster online from. Get the suggested tradein value and retail price for your 2008 harleydavidson xl1200l sportster 1200 low anniversary motorcycles with kelley blue book. A legend among legends, the everpopular sportster models have been setting the pace for twowheeled freedom and adventure since 1957. Harleydavidson has been preserving its history for over 100 years.
Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months. Popular harley davidson books showing 19 of 9 the lean machine. Harleydavidson history timeline harleydavidson usa. The first sportster in 1957 had many of the same detail. The machine that is done it all, now does it all better. Harleydavidson panhead vtwin motorcycles history of. And plenty of weird, wonderful ephemera from our past. We also cover the early sportster models through 1969, as these are essentially k models. Founded in 1903, harleydavidson is an american motorcycle manufacturer that specializes in heavyweight motorcycles designed for highway cruising. As harley looked back on 100 years of history, they also began to feel a shift in demographics.