Harley-Davidson XL883C Custom

Harley-Davidson XL883C Custom
Manufacturer	Harley-Davidson
Production	1998 - 99
Engine	Four stroke, 45° V-Twin, OHV, 2 valves per cylinder.
Compression ratio	8.8:1
Ignition	Digital CDI
Transmission	5 Speed
Frame	Mild steel, tubular frame; circularsections; cast junctions Swingarm Mild steel, rectangular tube sections, stamped junctions; MIG welded
Suspension	Front: 39mm Conventional cartridge forks Rear: Dual shocks Coil-over; preload dual-adjustable
Brakes	Front: Single 292mm disc 2 piston calipers Rear: Single 292mm disc 1 piston calipers
Front Tire	D402F MH90-21 54H
Rear Tire	D401 150/80B16 71H
Wheelbase	1534.1 mm / 60.4 in
Seat Height	Laden2 673.1 mm / 26.5 in Unladen 711.20 mm / 28 in
Weight	253 kg / 558 lbs (dry), 263 kg / 579 lbs (wet)
Fuel Capacity	17 Liters / 4.5 US gal
Manuals	Service Manual

Engine

The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, 45° V-Twin, OHV, 2 valves per cylinder.. The engine featured a 8.8:1 compression ratio.

Drive

Power was moderated via the Multi-plate clutch with diaphragm spring in oil bath.

Chassis

It came with a D402F MH90-21 54H front tire and a D401 150/80B16 71H rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Single 292mm disc 2 piston calipers in the front and a Single 292mm disc 1 piston calipers in the rear. The front suspension was a 39mm Conventional cartridge forks while the rear was equipped with a Dual shocks Coil-over; preload dual-adjustable. The XL883C Custom was fitted with a 17 Liters / 4.5 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 253 kg / 558 lbs. The wheelbase was 1534.1 mm / 60.4 in long.

Photos

Overview

Harley Davidson

XL 883C Sportster Custom

The first Sportsters were introduced in 1957. By 1999 the Sportster name was still very much in evidence, the lineup consisting of the Sportster 883, Sportster 883 Hugger, Sportster 1200, Sportster 1200 Sport, Sportster 1200 Custom and the new Sportster 883 Custom. The Sportster models have had the longest production run of any Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Perhaps this can be attributed to the Sportsters racing heritage or its affordable price. Or perhaps it is because Sportsters provide a torquey, about-town ride. But one thing is for certain: Sportsters have always held their own, pumping Harley-Davidson authenticity through every valve, cylinder and exhaust note to the delight of all Sportster enthusiasts and riders.

Additions to the Sportster family are always welcome and for the 1999 season along came the XL883C Sportster 883 Custom. The look of its custom styling features, the sound of its 883cc-powered Harley-Davidson engine, and the feel of its longer front end and forward controls create a great motorcycle for tremendous value. Great news for all those riders who want to join in the Harley-Davidson experience and who want to be part of the Sportster scene. Borrowing styling cues from its Sportster 1200 Custom cousin, the Sportster 883 Custom boasts longer front forks and forward foot controls which not only look great and enhance riding comfort, but also give

the bike a more radical riding profile. New sleek drag bars, a chrome bullet headlight incorporating a quartz halogen 55-watt low beam and 60-watt high beam, and a sporty two-up seat add to its stylish custom flair and give the bike a little street-racerstyle. The turn signal lights are self-canceling, the seat height of the bike is a comfortable 27.56 inches (70.0cm) and the ground clearance is 6.7 inches (17.02cm). The rear suspension, which is a recalibrated version of the XL883 Hugger rear suspension, supports two-up riding comfortably. The Sportster 883 Custom features a solid disc 16-inch (40.6cm) rear wheel and a laced 21-inch (53.3cm) front wheel. Finishing touches include a chrome speedometer.

On all Sportster models, a new sealed tail light unit helps to prevent internal condensation and possible malfunction, and there is an accessory-ready hookup. Where once there was hard wiring, this is now replaced by a circuit board, making tail light servicing easier. These overall design changes further enhance the bike's durability. The small tank's 3.3gal (12.5lit) maximum fill-up could be a little limiting especially on a long run, even though the miles per gallon return is an average 53mpg (83kpg). Twelve months warranty with unlimited mileage is provided when you purchase the machine and the service intervals are at the first 500 miles (800km) and from that point onwards every 5000 miles (8,000km).

The Sportster 883 Custom was first introduced as a mid-year 1998 model to European markets in January 1999. Its designation for the European markets is different - there it is known as the XL53C.

Make Model	Harley Davidson XL 883C Sportster Custom
Year	1998 - 99
Engine Type	Four stroke, 45° V-Twin, OHV, 2 valves per cylinder.
Displacement	883 cc / 53.9 cub in.
Bore X Stroke	76.2 x 96.8 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Compression	8.8:1
Induction	Carburetion (40 mm constant velocity with enrichener and accelerator pump) Air Cleaner/Filter Oval “racetrack”;
Ignition	Digital CDI
Starting	Electric
Max Torque	69 Nm 52 lb-ft @ 4300 rpm
Clutch	Multi-plate clutch with diaphragm spring in oil bath
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Belt
Gear Ratio	1st 10.944 9.792 9.467 2nd 7.542 6.732 6.663 3rd 5.834 5.220 5.143 4th 4.806 4.301 4.278 5th 4.071 3.643 3.643
Frame	Mild steel, tubular frame; circularsections; cast junctions Swingarm Mild steel, rectangular tube sections, stamped junctions; MIG welded
Front Suspension	39mm Conventional cartridge forks
Rear Suspension	Dual shocks Coil-over; preload dual-adjustable
Front Brakes	Single 292mm disc 2 piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 292mm disc 1 piston calipers
Front Tire	D402F MH90-21 54H
Rear Tire	D401 150/80B16 71H
Rake	30.1°
Fork Angle	30.1°
Trail	120 mm / 4.7 in
Dimensions	Length 2293.62 mm / 90.3 Width 830.58 mm / 32.7 in Height 1160.78 mm / 45.7 in
Wheelbase	1534.1 mm / 60.4 in
Seat Height	Laden2 673.1 mm / 26.5 in Unladen 711.20 mm / 28 in
Ground Clearance	112 mm / 4.4 om
Dry Weight	253 kg / 558 lbs
Wet Weight	263 kg / 579 lbs
Fuel Capacity	17 Liters / 4.5 US gal