The Sportster. - Is It the Bike that Saved Harley Davidson?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 2
From: Denver, Colorado
JayStronghawk....most people don't notice in your Sportster picture that there is a clutch cable, and a front brake cable....NO THROTTLE CABLE! 
We know why, though.....dead man's throttle. And the Buckhorn handlebars...they were the best...can't even find them anymore. I had a 1972 XLCH that was my key to freedom. Ah, the good old days. 
[IMdG]http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd307/67beast/72Sportster02_filtered.jpg[/IMG]
We know why, though.....dead man's throttle. And the Buckhorn handlebars...they were the best...can't even find them anymore. I had a 1972 XLCH that was my key to freedom. Ah, the good old days. [IMdG]http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd307/67beast/72Sportster02_filtered.jpg[/IMG]
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 1
From: Oak Park, IL
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 566
Likes: 7
From: Seattle, WA
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,642
Likes: 6
From: Forest Lake, Mn
The "X" model as in XL, XLCH, XLX, etc. The Sportster.
The company was doing okay when the Sporty came out. So I don't make it the one that saved the co.
The XL-series hit the dealers in 1957. Labeled the Sportster, launching one of the most famous and well-termed motorcycles in history. The XL was a pure, American hot rod motorcycle. It was the first American muscle bike, and today remains the most popular machine in its class.
The model that I believe saved the company, was the "Factory Experimental" model they came out with in 1971.
Take an X series front end, and marry it to an F series chassis, VOILA, the "FX". I believe, please correct me, the best selling model of ALL time for HD, the FX series. The Japanese were running rampant over the land, along with the tail end of the British bikes.
This was also a couple of years into AMFs slash and burn technique to make HD profitable, again. BOY, that worked then, just like it does now, huh? And WE still talk about the quality issues, 40 yrs (YEP, 40 this year) later.
My one and only "NEW" store bought HD, a '76 XLCH.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,460
Likes: 1
From: pasco county FL
The Sportster is not the Longest Running Model is the preferred choice of many. Not always just an entry level although for many it is .. The Old Iron Sportsters were a pleasure to ride as well still miss my old 69 XLCH even if it did take a few kicks to get it to come to life.. I still have a Sportster and probably always will til i can't ride any more.. They are a breed of their own..
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From: kansas City
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 683
Likes: 3
From: Tallahassee, FL
The throttle mechanism consisted of a heavy cable run from the carb up to the riser where the two piece handlebars attached (one for each side). The cable went into the riser and into the end of the handlebar, then snaked through the handlebar to the throttle grip....INSIDE the throttle grip. In the grip was a curved groove that pulled or pushed the ball end of the throttle cable as you twisted the grip. It had no return spring mechanism, so wherever you held the throttle....it stayed. It was a great arrangement, but by today's standards considered unsafe with no return spring. Sort of a built in cruise control...saved your wrist from holding the throttle open on a long cruise.
Last edited by gambler; Feb 10, 2009 at 05:41 PM.