Harley-Davidson XL 883 Sportster: history, specs, pictures

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Harley-Davidson finally fitted overhead valve cylinder heads to its smaller v-twin to create the Sportster. At last American enthusiasts could purchase a domestic product that had a performance comparable to the British 650 twins.

1957-Harley-Davidson-XL883-Sportster.jpg
Harley-Davidson XL883
Manufacturer
Also called XLH Sportster 883 Evolution (reduced effect), XLH Sportster 883 Evolution De Luxe, XLH Sportster 883 Evolution, XLH Sportster 883 Standard (reduced effect), XLH Sportster 883 De Luxe (reduced effect), XLH Sportster 883 Hugger (reduced effect), XLH Sportster 883 De Luxe, XLH Sportster 883 Custom - XL53C Sportster Custom, XLH Sportster 883 Custom - XL 53 C Sportster Custom, XLH Sportster 883 Standard, XLH883 Sportster 883 Hugger, XLH 883 Sportster 883 Hugger, XLH Sportster 883 Hugger, XL 883R Sportster, XLH Sportster 883, XL 883 L Sportster 883 Low, XL883R Sportster 883 R, XL 883R Sportster 883 R, XL883L Sportster Low, XL883R Sportster R, XL883 Sportster Police, XL 883 Sportster Police, XL883 Sportster 883, XL 883 Sportster 883, XL883C Sportster 883 Custom, XL 883C Sportster 883 Custom, Sportster XL883N Iron 883, Sportster XL 883N Iron 883, XL883L Sportster 883 Low, XL 883L Sportster 883 Low, XL883L Sportster 883 SuperLow, XL 883L Sportster 883 SuperLow, Sportster XL883N Iron 833, XL883R Sportster 883R, XL 883R Sportster 883R, XL883R Sportster 883 R Roadster, XL883L Sportster SuperLow, XL883N Sportster Iron 883, XL883L Police, XL 883L Police, XL883 Sportster, XL883C Sportster Custom, XL883C Sportster, XL 883 Sportster, XL 883 R Sportster, XL 883 C Sportster Custom, XL 883, XL883R Sportster
Production 1986 - 2014
Class Road
Engine
v2, four-stroke
Bore / Stroke 76.2mm x 96.8mm
Top Speed 93 mph (150 km/h)
Horsepower 48.95 HP (36.5 KW) @ 6000RPM
Torque 55.02 ft/lbs (74.6 Nm) @ 3500RPM
Fuel System injection. electronic sequential port fuel injection
Transmission Gear box: 5-speed

Final Drive: belt

Clutch: multi-plate, wet
Suspension Front: 39 mm showa®
Rear: coil-over, preload dual-adjustable
Brakes Front: single disc
Rear: single disc
Front Tire 120/70-zr18
Rear Tire 180/55-zr18
Wheelbase 59.02 inches (1499 mm)
Length 87.2 inches (2215 mm)
Width 33.31 inches (846 mm)
Height 43.9 inches (1115 mm)
Seat Height 25.51 inches (648 mm)
Weight 552.92 pounds (250.8 Kg) (dry), 259.9 kg (wet)
Oil Capacity 0.69 Gallon (2.60 Liters)
Oil Filter K&N KN-170[1]
Fuel Capacity 4.5 Gallon (17.03 Liters)
Fuel Consumption 4.61 liters/100 km (21.7 km/l or 51.02 mpg)
Manuals Service Manual


The Harley-Davidson XL883L Police was a v2, four-stroke Road motorcycle produced by Harley-Davidson between 1986 and 2014. It could reach a top speed of 93 mph (150 km/h). Max torque was 55.02 ft/lbs (74.6 Nm) @ 3500 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 48.95 HP (36.5 KW) @ 6000 RPM.

Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was a air cooled v2, four-stroke. A 76.2mm bore x 96.8mm stroke result in a displacement of just 883.3 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a overhead valves (ohv).

Drive[edit | edit source]

The bike has a 5-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the multi-plate, wet.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 120/70-zr18 front tire and a 180/55-zr18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via single disc in the front and a single disc in the rear. The front suspension was a 39 mm showa® while the rear was equipped with a coil-over, preload dual-adjustable. The XL883L Police was fitted with a 4.5 Gallon (17.03 Liters) fuel tank. The bike weighed just 552.92 pounds (250.8 Kg). The wheelbase was 59.02 inches (1499 mm) long.

1957[edit | edit source]

1957 Harley Davidson XL883 Sportster
1957 Harley-Davidson XL Sportster


2001[edit | edit source]

2001 Harley Davidson XL883 Sportster


2002[edit | edit source]

2002 Harley Davidson XL883R Sportster


In Media[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 2019 K&L Supply Co Catalog. K&L Supply Co. 2019.