Is anyone familiar with a 1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster XLX

[Oldfisti]

That's not a tank, it's a plastic cover that goes over a plastic tank.

Did not know that.  I still like the shape.

[Kev M]

 


Did not know that.  I still like the shape.

Me too, at least on the XR and XRX, but I think I'd prefer the more traditional rounded tank on the OP's bike.

[Fergus]

Here she is outside and upholstered. I'm going to swap tanks with my buddy ironically he was about to order a tank like mine for his bike so that works out perfect. On its maiden voyage Sunday I found that the shocks are shot  they would bottom out and there is oil getting past the seals. I guess a few years rotting in a shed will do that. These are 12.5 " so I might go to the 13.5" shocks to gain another inch of clearance just to be safe. Hopefully in the next week or so I can get these parts swapped out and give it another run.

Hi Eichh, can you give a rough estimate on how much time this took and how much $$$ spent?
-Thx Ferg

[eichh]

I started march 5th the day after I bought it I started disassembling it. The grand total including the bike down to shrink wrap is $3800. I plan on dropping $100 on a nice set of used shocks and that should do it for the time being. But we all know how that goes.

[Fergus]

I started march 5th the day after I bought it I started disassembling it. The grand total including the bike down to shrink wrap is $3800. I plan on dropping $100 on a nice set of used shocks and that should do it for the time being. But we all know how that goes.

Nice, thanks. That might be something I can do! You've inspired me.

[eichh]

Its been a while but I got some more work done on the bike new tires (others were dry rotted) I created some decals for the tank and added some engine turned gold leaf to the oil tank. I then cut the pipes that were on it and bought some 1 3/4" conduit at Menard's and created some pipes that I thought would look cool. I wanted them to flow with the swing arm angle with me on it. I bought a 2 1/4" brass pipe on line slit it down the middle and welded some studs to the pipes. I wanted to drill holes all over it but I don't have a Bridgeport, only a drill press so I didn't want to risk the random off centered hole so I left them solid. I then sanded the chrome off the parts of the original pipes and used good ol header paint to make them black. I may do powder coating over the winter. I had to adjust the carb a bit but now shes dialed in. I will say that sitting as low as I do on this thing it can corner like a a sportbike I was impressed, hence the new tires once I realized I can push it in hard turns. Next I need to do something with the air cleaner cover.  I would say the bulk of the work is done for the time being, its probably the slowest bike I've ever owned but it is a lot of fun to run around on.

[Speedbag]

Not sure I'm feeling the gold heat shield thingies, but the rest is cool! 

[HotIce]

Ditto about the gold stuff, otherwise very nice job with your bike.
I got its newer brother 

[abby normal]

I think the heat shields are just the right touch with
The gold decals.  Beautiful work.  I wish I had the
Talent and ambition ...

[eichh]

I plan on letting them weather and look old, I just had to polish them to get the few scratches I put in while cutting them. They are a bit bright right now. The other option I was thinking of was masking off some scallops and using acid to etch the metal and painting them black.

[SDRider]

Very cool bike!  Would like to see more pics of it. 

[muskrat]

I think the gold looks great.