Hello everyone, I have a chance to buy a very well taken care of 2001 Sportster 1200 and I was wondering if there was any major difference between that year and newer years? I plan on making it look like a newer model Nightster, just wanted to make sure there wasnt anything that could make it a pain to do so. Thanks for any advice.

 

Huge differences, actually. They now have rubber-mounted engines, EFI, different frame geometry, better brakes, etc. You could make yours "look" like a Nightster, but you would have trouble making it feel or behave like one.

 

Not an easy one to answer because of so many subtle changes from year to year but this link may help you out a little. http://www.sportster.org/history/

 

+1. Big differences between those years. Frames changed and engines rubber mounted in '04. Fuel Injected added in '07.

 

Very easy to answer with the major changes made in '04. Nothing subtle about a new frame and engine mounting system.

 

The 2010 is harder to work on, if you do your own work. The cases have to be split to get to the transmission, no trapdoor. The lifters run in native material instead of replaceable blocks. It is injected, not carburated. But it is also much smoother due to the rubber mounting, the injection makes it run better, get better mileage. The frame is much stiffer so it rides better. (assuming you dont put shortie shocks on it) and a 2010 is eligible for an extended warranty. The extended warranty can include even tires.

 

You can get late model low mileage nightsters for around 6 grand with very little searching. Maybe your 2001 will be a sweet deal for you if it is cheap enough BUT make sure you know how much money you will end up spending TRYING to make it close to what you really want ( modifying a 01 totally up to the newer sporty specs is not really practical). If the deal is just too good to pass up you could just buy it and ride her the way she is for a while. Save your cash and buy your dream bike later.


RAL

 

Sigh....if you would go back and read the original question you would understand my response. He wants to make it look like model Nightster. There are subtle changes in the looks. If he would have asked about making it mechanically the same then that would have called for a different response.
Read before you flame the next time.

 

There may be subtle changes in the looks, but nothing from '04 up will work on an '01. Tank, seat, fenders, forks, etc. are different and won't fit an '01 frame without modification. This isn't just about mechanical differences.

 

Like he said, he wants to make it look like a nightster and doing so should be very easy with a few after market parts. There are plenty of vendors besides the motor company that can help him out.