History of the Harley-Davidson Sportster XL - Ep.7: Extended Transition (1975 -1980)
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- Опубликовано: 10 ноя 2023
- The Sportster XL's transition from 'sport' bike to, something else, was proving to be a long and difficult process. The late 1970s brought a signiificant change to the Sportster design, but it was wholly unsucessful.
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No matter if it was 1978, or 79, you are seeing the first example of the "ham can," air cleaner, I remember these as mostly mounted on the new frame Sportsters. Most riders binned them in favor of the oval, or an aftermarket item. The exhaust on the XCLR actually flowed very well in comparison to the standard duals of the time.
WooHooo! You got to my '77. Sadly my bike year is marked by a deep depression in your life. Hopefully you have gotten yourself all sorted and in a better place here later in life. Thanks for making another fun video.
Evening Chris - thanks for the kind comment, and concern. Yes, I am 'in a better place' these days, though 'all sorted' is a bit of a stretch!
Thanks again mate,
Chris
The recession of '80 really affected America deeply. The largest industry in America was construction and mortgage interest rates went through the roof. I bought a new Sportster in '79. Lost my job in '80. Somehow managed to make the last payment.
Yes Chris, Bart has a video on the Sporster mentioning and recommending your video series. I just through your series, and subscribed. It’s really awesome.
Thank you Anton - thanks for liking my vids, and for saying so.
Cheers,
Chris
Thanks Chris for another very informative video posting. The historical intertwinings of economics, politics, public perception and reaction helps bring the big picture into better focus. Harley-Davidson's adaptation is interesting to hear. Looking forward to your next episode. Cheers! 🙏
Mornig Spike, thanks for contributing so positively and supportively again. I do love to see how the 'little' fits into the 'big' historically. Thank you for enjoying my efforts, and for saying so!
The next video will be significantly delayed as our (mine and Anna's) health issues have been rather pressing recently. For me, it means doing less of the 'hard work' realting to the videos (that is, processing and editing, etc.) and using my energies to look after Anna, and myself - mental health wise. So, I'll not be looking at the next video until well into the New Year. I hope you can be patient enough to wait (please!).
Cheers,
Chris
Hi Chris, Thanks for your reply. Above all else, care for your loved one Anna and yourself. Peace be with you.@@chrisoftheot6272
Thank you Spike. :-)
I've recently "discovered" your channel and I've enjoyed you videos very much.
Right now I'm sat at the edge of my seat waiting for episode VIII of the XL story😊
In one of your videos you mention your other social media accounts, but I haven't been able to find them 😱
Any chance of linking to them here?
I'm a big fan of the way you mix english history, world wide politics, your personal story and of course the history of the magnificent Sportster.
/Jonatan
Afternoon Jonatan - thank you for saying such nice things about my videos. 😁
In my early videos I did include social media links, like Facebook, but I grew to hate it so much I cancelled the accounts; I only participate here, and in various forums when the need arises. Facebook is a black hole-like vortex that consumes everything, while achieving little - at least, for me, so I deleted my accounts. Did I mention that I hate Facebook?
As for episode 8: I'm hoping to get to it soon. We've had a lot of health-related difficulties over the last few months (Anna mostly - I am a carer for her), so that has to take priority. Being a carer is, generally, not a good career move!
Anyway, it's in my mind but it will take some extracting: just a bit longer!
Thanks again mate,
Chris
Finally got back to watching these and now fully caught up. Well done, very much looking forward to the next part of the series which I’m assuming will include the evo engine.
Afternoon Desert - thanks for the kind words.
Episode 8 won't quite get to the Evo era as it doesn't start until 1986 for the Sportster. I'm going to get to the next video shortly (but don't hold your breath mate...). But, see you then! 😉
Cheers,
Chris
I think that if you're to discuss the long history of the Sportster, it wouldn't hurt to throw in a few images now and then of some scantily clad birds along the way. It helps one stay focused.
Au contraire. I find the opposite is true. Plus, if you've made it to episode 7, you're 'focusing' fine without the 'scantily clad birds'.
Cheers,
Chris
You never would have made it as the editor of Easyriders magazine.
Hi Chris, how are you doing, mate?
It's been a while since you last uploaded, we're starting to worry.
Afternoon Juhan - thank you for your concern. I am fine - though the last six months or so have been difficult as Anna has not been well - her health goes up and down.
However, the last few weeks have been better for Anna - it's late Spring here in Blighty, so much lighter, which she likes a lot, plus all the blooming flora she loves 'cos of the bright colours.
Anyway, we're doing okay - thank you again for asking.
Cheers,
Chris
Chris, too bad you didn't mention Pratt's of Greenwich. We were the 2nd HD dealership in England. We opened in 1972. We raced an Aermacchi through out England in the early 70's.
EXCELLENT!
Morning Naps - thank you!
Cheers,
Chris
Really enjoy ur videos just found u recently. I am glad ur a Christian my brother. Hello from New York.
Hi John - I'm guessing you went for a Sportster? I read somewhere that 'God rides a Harley-Davidson', so I suppose that would be a good choice.
God bless ya',
Chris
British Harley dealers literally could not give the XCLR cafe racer away. They were on sale for less than a 5 year old normal sportster and in the end, 99 per cent were bought at massive discount and converted to look like normal sportsters. So lesson learnt, dynamically improve a bike on every level and.... its sales tank. But no, lesson not learnt, history repeated itself with the 2011 1200 XR which experienced the same total rejection. So the actual lesson is, don't mess with peoples perception of a product, even if that perception has zero logic.
Afternoon James - thanks for the comment.
You're right, the XLCR was a flop - even though Willie G. loves it to this day. But no-one else did! Today, it's a classic that's highly prized, but not by me. The XR1200, on the other hand, had a three year run with two variants so, athough unsuccessful, it was not the flop that the XLCR was. Neither appeal to me, but I don't think Willie G. is too worried about that...
Cheers,
Chris
don't know why everyone pisses and moans about the AMF years ?personally think the mid 70s xlch was one of the nicest Harley s there was ! Tho didn't like those new frames and mag wheels to be honest ,but anyway another good chapter to your series 👍.
Thanks for the kind comment Mat. Much appreciated 😍
Cheers,
Chris
Ted Pratt the proprietor had a large collection of HD racing motorcycles in his collection!
Afternoon again Ron - so, my first question is, what happened to the dealership? Did just close after Mr Pratt retired?
Cheers,
Chris
I have had my Sportster for 25 years and 37 back tires and 17 front ones and 3 belts in 25 years. Still riding her as my daily driver. AMF made the EVOLUTION big twins and EVOLUTION Sportster which have been HD's most reliable engine. HD killing the bike was a stupid mistake just one of many. Now the SWM has the Stormbreaker 1200 EVOLUTION Sportster and it will continue the Sportster legacy. Parts available readily. Any HD shop can work on it . I love my Sportster. Best $7,000 l ever spent.
Afternoon Frank - wow, it's been a very long while since I heard from you. How are you doing? I love that you've kept one Sportster for 25 years - and how impressive is it that you remember how many tires you've put on?! (These days, I can go to the bathroom and then forget why I went there...)
Let me know how you're doing Frank. Last time we spoke, things were very tough for you.
Cheers Frank - nice to see you again.
Chris
My Sportster speedometer doesn't work so I keep track of the tires. My bad back still hurts but I keep riding.l' ll be the walker riding my bike. Just did new fork seals and front brakes and new tire for the front tire. I just keep on keeping on. Sportsters forever ♾️ forever Sportsters.
I love my '75 XLCH1000, although it is far from stock LOL ... Converted to right hand shift, as God had intended, and modern electronics for reliability. It is fun to ride ...
Evening - I wish I'd seen your signature icon before I did the video!
I'm stunned you converted the gearing to right-hand shift - I guess you're really old-school: 1down4up certainly suggests that! Good on ya!
Cheers,
Chris
@chrisoftheot6272 converting the bike was actually very easy. When the government mandated all bikes have left side shifters, Harley's last year for right side shifteron the sportster was 1973. The cases for the '74 and '75 models were still machined for right side shift. That's why those two years use that Rube Goldberg shift linkage set up. All you have to do is pull the trans, knock out the plug, and install an early model shift shaft...
Morning 1down - I really hadn't thought of that: since the linkage was there to move the gear lever from right-to-left, simply removing it would change it back! Fancy.
Thanks for learnin' me. :-)
Cheers,
Chris
Когда будет 8 эпизод? Очень жду
Afternoon User - yes, episode 8 has been greatly delayed. Anna has many health problems and the last six or eight months have been very difficult, so not much time for this.
Still, episode 8 is 'in the works', as we say around here. Thank you for being so positive about my videos!
Cheers,
Chris
Great video, kinda interesting how it turns into political and nuclear arms race discussion, but great video
Thank you for saying that Kit, much appreicated. For what it's worth, episode 8 with be the most political of all (if I ever get around to writing it), as the 1980s were... special... even for the Sportster & Harley-Davidson.
Thanks again Kit,
Chris
Since the buyout HD has made nothing but mistakes. They have been so bad that people wished that AMF was back. That has to tell you something.