Early Sportster Review

If you are into early Harley-Davidson Sportsters, Kevin Baas from Baas Metal Craft and Vintage Bike Addiction is someone you should know. In this video, Kevin is giving us a crash course in early Sportster history.

He starts with the first K model early Sportsters in 1952 and takes us all the way to 1985 with the last of the Ironhead Sportsters.

K models originated in 1952 and continued through 1956.

The K, KK, KH, and KHK Harley-Davidsons were flathead, sidevalve engines. The 1952–1953 K & KK engines were 750cc with a 2.75″ bore and 3.81″ stroke.

1954–1956 KH and KHK models were 888cc with an increased stroke of 4.56.

Then Kevin reviews the next group of early Sportsers, the Harley-Davidson Ironhead XL produced from 1957–1985. These XLs supported 883cc or 1000cc engines with cast iron cylinders and heads. The only exception, being the XR-750 (1972–1985) that supported a 750cc Ironhead engine.

1957–1985 Sportster models consisted of XL, XLCH, XR-750, XLCR (1977–1979), XR-1000 (1983–1984), XLR, XLS Roadster (1979–1982). 1986 saw the introduction of the Evolution Sportster. Theses XLs were manufactured with 883cc, 1100cc, and 1200cc Evolution motors with cast aluminum overhead valve engines.

Important Sportster milestones are:
– 1957: Introduction of the Ironhead overhead valve engine.
– 1958: The first XLCH, “Competition Hot,” high-compression engines are released.
– 1967: The first electric start is added to XLH models.
– 1972: The inception of a 1000cc engine, which boasted 61 horsepower and 116 mph.
– 1975: No more right side shift. Now, all Sportsters are manufactured with left side shift due to a government mandate.
– 1979: Last year of production for kickstart-only models.
– 1985: Last year of the Ironhead Sportster engine.
– 1986: The first Evolution-powered Sportsters. Originally 883cc or 1100cc.
– 1988: 1200cc Evolution engine replaces the 1100cc and CV carburetor replaces the Bendix carburetor.
– 1991: a 5-speed transmission replaces the 4-speed, and belt drives replace chain.

Make sure to watch the XL Buyers Guide.