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Need input on an HD "48"

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  • #1

    Need input on an HD "48"

    So, as I am nearing breaking the ton-and-a-half on my evil nitrous VTR project (http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34610), I am toying with the idea of hanging it up for extreme rides only, and getting HD sportster "48" to build up into a cool around town bike. Does anybody have any riding experience with one of these yet? Pretty close to a regular 1200 sportster, but with more coolness (big wheels, low profile, etc), and a lot less weight than my Heritage Softail. I would appreciate any input!

    Because this is going to get me into trouble...



    Healthy is merely the slowest rate at which you can die

    Some people will tell you that slow is good - and it may be, on some days - but I am here to tell you that fast is better. I’ve always believed this, in spite of the trouble it’s caused me. Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba….Hunter S. Thompson
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Sending you a PM...
    Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two

    '78E original owner - resto project
    '78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
    '82 XJ rebuild project
    '80SG restified, red SOLD
    '79F parts...
    '81H more parts...

    Other current bikes:
    '93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
    '86 XL883/1200 Chopper
    '82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
    Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
    Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...

    Comment

    • #3
      Originally posted by crazy steve View Post
      Sending you a PM...
      Oh come on. We all like discussions!
      Nathan
      KD9ARL

      μολὼν λαβέ

      1978 XS1100E
      K&N Filter
      #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
      OEM Exhaust
      ATK Fork Brace
      LED Dash lights
      Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters
      Green Monster Coils
      SS Brake Lines
      Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

      In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

      Theodore Roosevelt

      Comment

      • #4
        48?

        OK, I haven't been following the late model HDs info. Nevere really had a late model HD. They always seemed to emulate the older ones anyway, so I just always had older ones. I don't know what a 48 is.
        BUT, Sportsters have always been easier to ride & pretty easy to match the bigger HDs performance with all the mods available. Especially the Buell engine swap.

        In recent years the bigger HDs have had a lot of competition from the jap cruisers & have gotten a lot more power & displacement. Sportsters haven't been enlarged to the same degree.

        What's a 48?
        Tom Clisham

        Age is relative YOU WON"T GET OLD TIL YOU SELL THE BIKE
        _____________________________________________

        '78xs1100E ,all stock & original GONE TO WISCONSIN

        '80 SG Vetter fairing,hard bags,trunk,fork brace,
        stock headers with fishtail mufflers,black & beautiful GONE TO ARIZONA

        79SF lowered,jardine 4/2 exhaust,pod filters,drilled rotors,fork brace, bar hopper

        79SF 1 owner,8000 miles, restoring to completely original ( I hope) GONE TO FRANCE

        Comment

        • #5
          Originally posted by tom clisham View Post
          ...What's a 48?
          It's a Sporty model with a 'retro' peanut tank, factory 'bob', and a 16" front wheel. The '48' is in like '1948'....
          Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two

          '78E original owner - resto project
          '78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
          '82 XJ rebuild project
          '80SG restified, red SOLD
          '79F parts...
          '81H more parts...

          Other current bikes:
          '93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
          '86 XL883/1200 Chopper
          '82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
          Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
          Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...

          Comment

          • #6
            It is a sassy looking little motorcycle.
            Joab

            "If nothing else, it will be interesting..."
            ______________________________________________
            1979 XS1100SF
            1972 XS2 650
            ______________________________________________
            Ozark, Alabama

            Comment

            • #7
              ...and would look really cool with a 2-1 exhaust, clip-on handlebars, bar end mirrors, a bunch of covers stripped off, etc, etc, etc...

              The "48":

              Healthy is merely the slowest rate at which you can die

              Some people will tell you that slow is good - and it may be, on some days - but I am here to tell you that fast is better. I’ve always believed this, in spite of the trouble it’s caused me. Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba….Hunter S. Thompson

              Comment

              • #8
                Originally posted by T99Ford View Post
                ...and would look really cool with a 2-1 exhaust, clip-on handlebars, bar end mirrors, a bunch of covers stripped off, etc, etc, etc...
                If that's where you're planning on going, you might be better off to hunt up a 883R ('02-03 models?) as that will be a closer starting point for where you're going. Already has the 2-1, mid-controls, and dual front discs. For what one of these would cost these days, you could easily afford to add the spoked wheels and a fire-breathing 1200 conversion and likely have money left over....
                Fast, Cheap, Reliable... Pick any two

                '78E original owner - resto project
                '78E ???? owner - Modder project FJ forks, 4-piston calipers F/R, 160/80-16 rear tire
                '82 XJ rebuild project
                '80SG restified, red SOLD
                '79F parts...
                '81H more parts...

                Other current bikes:
                '93 XL1200 Anniversary Sportster 85RWHP
                '86 XL883/1200 Chopper
                '82 XL1000 w/1450cc Buell, Baker 6-speed, in-progress project
                Cage: '13 Mustang GT/CS with a few 'custom' touches
                Yep, can't leave nuthin' alone...

                Comment

                • #9
                  She needs flat black 1 3/4" drag pipes for some waaaabaaaah cackle....
                  1979 Yamaha XS1100SF (gone)
                  Airbox w/K&N element
                  Jardine 4 into 1
                  145 mains, 45 pilots

                  1996 Ducati 900SS CR
                  1977 Kawasaki KZ900-A5
                  1975 Honda CB550K

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    I'm not a fan of forward controls. Other than that, the look is appealing.
                    Marty (in Mississippi)
                    XS1100SG
                    XS650SK
                    XS650SH
                    XS650G
                    XS6502F
                    XS650E

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      Speaking of sassy...

                      and a 16 inch front wheel....


                      I think this is quite clever.

                      Especially since it started as this:
                      Marty (in Mississippi)
                      XS1100SG
                      XS650SK
                      XS650SH
                      XS650G
                      XS6502F
                      XS650E

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        No experience riding the "48", but since you asked for input........

                        You have the skill to turn a Huffy into a gem. If you're trying to stay out of trouble, get something like a Honda CB175/200. That said, here are my current fascinations...they just might rub off on you:

                        Harley Davidson XR1200X
                        A former co-worker had one of these. At the time, I didn't think much of it at the time, but they have been growing on me since.



                        Victory motorcycles
                        I was quite oblivious to the Victory brand until recently. I think they make bold motorcycles, and I was entertained that they are made in the US by Polaris Industries. Despite being fond of the XR1200X above, I have a little bit of rebellion against the HD culture. You obviously don't suffer the same since you own the Softail - and that's ok. Regardless, I am finding that I increasingly value the opportunity to keep people in this country of all skill levels (janitors, manufacturing techs, engineers, sales & marketing, and even CEO's) employed and this is one way to support that. Where am I? How did I get this black eye? Ah, I got punched through the internet for posting on a Japanese motorcycle site. On with the pic:



                        ......for the record, I'm talking out of both sides of my mouth because I own a Japanese car and two Japanese motorcycles........
                        '81 XS11H Venturer - holed up in storage while life happened since 07/08/04
                        '81 Kawasaki KE175 enduro - 63 mph of smokey fun, now with collector plates!

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Where am I? How did I get this black eye? Ah, I got punched through the internet for posting on a Japanese motorcycle site.
                          Don't forget, the GoldWing is ALSO assembled and made in the USA! The CEO gets paid in YEN, but hey, it's close!
                          I think one of the BIG reasons he is looking at the 48 is a little LOWER top speed! He does seem to want to drive without going to jail for a while between chances. The 48 does look nice to me as another bike. My problem, NO ROOM! (or money)
                          Ray Matteis
                          KE6NHG
                          XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
                          XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Roadstar silverado

                            My tastes are kinda old school. for a vtwin I really like the silverado, & slightly older ones can be had for as little as 3$3500-4000.

                            For a cafe style, I'll take the old Yamis.
                            Tom Clisham

                            Age is relative YOU WON"T GET OLD TIL YOU SELL THE BIKE
                            _____________________________________________

                            '78xs1100E ,all stock & original GONE TO WISCONSIN

                            '80 SG Vetter fairing,hard bags,trunk,fork brace,
                            stock headers with fishtail mufflers,black & beautiful GONE TO ARIZONA

                            79SF lowered,jardine 4/2 exhaust,pod filters,drilled rotors,fork brace, bar hopper

                            79SF 1 owner,8000 miles, restoring to completely original ( I hope) GONE TO FRANCE

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Ray nailed it--I'm looking for something that would have respectable power, but not out of hand. Really, something to make into kind of a street brawler look. I want it to look mean but polished, if that makes sense.

                              The XR1200's would make a great cafe platform. I have always liked them. I looked at Victory before I bought my softail, and unfortunately, the dealer here kinda dropped the ball. My money went to the people who tried to get it. The brand is really up-and-coming, though, and I hear even the Hells Angels are adopting it. Certainly some cool styles in their line, and impressive engines, to be sure.

                              I just keep seeing images in my head of that '48 done up in black and brass, low bars, and a whole lot of attitude!
                              Healthy is merely the slowest rate at which you can die

                              Some people will tell you that slow is good - and it may be, on some days - but I am here to tell you that fast is better. I’ve always believed this, in spite of the trouble it’s caused me. Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba….Hunter S. Thompson

                              Comment

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