Harley-Davidson Sportster

The Sportster is a line of motorcycles produced continuously since 1957 by the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Sportster models are designated in Harley-Davidson's product code by beginning with "XL". In 1952, the predecessors to the Sportster, the Model K Sport and Sport Solo motorcycles, were introduced. These models K, KK, KH, and KHK of 1952 to 1956 are not always considered to be Sportsters, but are definitely the precursors and inspiration f... more

The Sportster is a line of motorcycles produced continuously since 1957 by the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Sportster models are designated in Harley-Davidson's product code by beginning with "XL". In 1952, the predecessors to the Sportster, the Model K Sport and Sport Solo motorcycles, were introduced. These models K, KK, KH, and KHK of 1952 to 1956 are not always considered to be Sportsters, but are definitely the precursors and inspiration for the line. Sportster motorcycles are powered by 45 degree V-twin engines in which both connecting rods, of the "fork and blade" or "knife & fork" design, share a common crank pin. The Sportster, the 45" R, D, G & W Models 1929 side-valve motors, and the 'Big Twin' side-valve motors, which were: the flathead 74 cubic-inch (1213 cc) Models V , VL etc. (1930–1936), Models U and UL (1937–1948), and the 80 cubic-inch (1,311 cc) Models VH and VLH (1935–1936), Models UH and ULH (1937–1941) have four separate cams, sporting one lobe per cam. The OHV... less