1980 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1000cc Motorcycle

Description

With its origins dating back to 1957, the Sportster is Harley-Davidson's longest running model family, evolving from dirt track racers into a series of popular road-going bikes. All Sportster derivatives came with a V-twin engine mounted rigidly in the frame (until 2003), giving very direct handling. The X-series Sportsters remained in production until 1985, using both 900cc and latterly 1000cc overhead-valve engine with cast iron heads, hence the nickname ?Ironheads?. The original XL could reach a maximum of 90 mph on the open road, performance that put the big Harley on par with the best of the Brits, while niceties like electric starting were added in 1967, Kayaba forks in 1973 and a front disc brake the following year. By 1980 the 45-degree V-twin was developing 55 hp at 5800 rpm, with a compression ratio of 9.0:1. Although dated by the 1980s, the old school Sportster best represented the Harley-Davidson spirit, a simple, raw machine that communicated every facet of the riding experience directly to the rider. Indeed, the XL rider liked the fact his bike an anachronism, thumbing its nose at the technology-laden machines emerging from Japan.