Harley-Davidson did not have an equivalent to the lightweight and relatively high-performance Brit bikes, and quickly found itself at a disadvantage. The K-series bikes and Sportsters had their drive trains and shifters on the right, which was contrary to Harley’s larger FLs, which had them on the left. Some rode them as they came, without modifying them.”. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 1957 Sportsters also have a personal attraction for Glenn Bator, a well known motorcycle restorer, auctioneer and broker. Motorcycle Classics But would the public really embrace the Sportster, or were the British destined to maintain a stranglehold on the market? or Best Offer. But the bars were rubber mounted and the seat was on springs, so it wasn’t too bad.”. Compounding the issue is the simple fact that parts for early Sportsters are hugely expensive, if you can find them, and Glenn’s varied business ventures left him little time for the concours-quality restoration Giovanni wanted. $10,588 9,031 miles . Engine: 883cc air-cooled OHV 45-degree V-twin ... 1957 HARLEY DAVIDSON SPORTSTER XL 1st YEAR OF THE SPORTSTER MILES SINCE REBUILD- LESS THAN 100 BUILT TO RIDE!! This bike is for sale at http://www.batorinternational.com and can be yours! The result was the release of the XLCH and XLH in ’58. I was doing TT races on it and drag racing, and I went to work on it. For those of you who didn’t get enough of the 1957 Harley-Davidson XL Sportster featured in our recent Redline Rebuild time-lapse video, this two-minute bonus episode focuses on the Harley’s Ironhead … Premium. In order to get bikes in the hands of eager customers who had been unable to buy new motorcycles — or cars — during the four long years of the war, Harley, like many companies, continued building essentially the same models it offered in 1941 before civilian production stopped. Importantly, the Harley K model was a modern motorcycle. Today’s version is much more streamlined, and they are loved by everyone, including the female rider who finds larger bikes difficult to handle. Professional people were rare. S/N 1657 all the numbers match. Realizing he was too busy to do it all himself, Glenn had someone else rebuild the engine: It came back in worse shape than it was in when Glenn sent it out. Garrett by trade is a personal finance freelance writer and journalist. Find Used Harley-davidson 1957 For Sale (with Photos). “Our best sellers were the big twins,” Jim remembers, “but riders of smaller stature were interested in the Sportster. But it’s difficult to forget the humble beginnings of this lightweight dynamo that has withstood the test of time. Five Stocks that Could be The Next GameStop, A Traveler’s Guide to the Best Beaches in Belgium, The 20 Best Things To Do in Belgium for First-Timers. Jim says there were two reactions at the time: “The guys who rode dressers kind of liked it, but the Sportster wasn’t big and masculine enough for them. Pre-Owned. “The XLCH straight pipes made the most wonderful noise. Other carryovers from the K models included a dry clutch, drum brakes and six-volt electrics. The bike was able to reach a top speed of 95mph (152.9 kmh). The handling was pretty good by the standards of the day. This is a great article. After the K’s foot shift transmission and swingarm frame had been proved sound, Harley engineers went to work on updating the side-valve engine. My father and I didn’t go to the national, but the dealers that did go to the national convention explained what happened. Featuring a roller-bearing bottom end, polished ports and hot cams, it was rated at 52 horsepower versus the KH’s claimed 38 horses. Based on the K and KH, the new Sportster’s 883cc V-twin had overhead valves instead of the K’s archaic side-valve setup. https://moneyinc.com/1957-harley-davidson-xl-sportster-ironhead The K model didn’t really look like a Harley and it wasn’t sparkly like a Triumph,” Bruce remembers. The sound and the fury: celebrate the machines that changed the world! When the first Sportsters rolled out of the Harley-Davidson factory in 1957, they were powered by the iconic ‘ironhead’ motor—which would remain in production until 1985. What Makes Lexus Wheels Different from other Car Wheels, The History of the Chopard Happy Fish Watch. In sports, Milwaukee won the World Series and in motorcycle history, Harley-Davidson launched the Sportster. The roots of the first Harley Sportster go back to the days immediately after World War II. This state of affairs only lasted for a short while, as Harley dealers soon found themselves competing against lightweight, sport-oriented British motorcycles — with foot shift and telescopic forks. Mainstream people rode Harleys and Indians, and there was a growing British motorcycle scene.” The Harley KH fit the market well, Jim says: “It was an all purpose motorcycle. 1957 Harley Davidson XL Sportster 3100 . The first Sportster was not particularly speedy; a good KHK, discontinued for 1957, would blow an early Sportster into the weeds, Bruce says. That same summer, during a gathering in Milwaukee to promote the Duo-Glide, the Sportster wound up getting quite a bit of attention and had people talking. or Best Offer. The dealers weren’t really excited by them. The XL Sportster, as it was originally called, seemed to be the answer motorcycle-lovers had been looking for. https://www.motorcycleclassics.com/.../1957-harley-davidson-sportster Under the Microscope: The 1957 Harley Davidson XL Sportster Ironhead, Max Hazan: A Visionary Artist Building Exceptional Motorcycles, The 10 Most Anticipated Motorcycles of 2017, The Top 10 Ducati Motorcycles of All-Time, The Top 10 Harley Davidson Motorcycles of All-Time, The Top 10 Harley Davidson Sportster Models of All-Time, Max Hazan: A Visionary Artist Building Exceptional …, The Top 10 Harley Davidson Motorcycles of …, 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Andy Jassy, The History of and Story Behind the NASA Logo, 10 Things You Didn’t Know about Tope Awotona, 10 Things You Didn’t Know about Adam Aron, Why You Should Ignore GameStop and AMC Trading Mania. There was always a hard core of women riders, and a lot of them rode Sportsters. Not only that, but … But the Spanish builder Efraón Triana decided to celebrate it in a most unusual fashion. So, what specific things made the Sportster stand out from any other bike available out there at the time? The new model looked similar to other models they offered, but this one was a bit faster, and it would prove to be preferred by countless people in the years to come. Sportster engines, the 45 cubic inch R, D, G & W Models 1929 side-valve motors, and the 'Big Twin' side-valve motors, which were: the flathead74.0 cu in (1,213 cc) Models V, VL etc. The first Harley Sportster was a Brit beater. C $40.73. How Paula White Achieved a Net Worth of $5 Million, How Sarah Palin Achieved a Net Worth of $8 Million, How James May Achieved a Net Worth of $25 Million, How Mandy Moore Achieved a Net Worth of $14 Million, Telescopic hydraulic fork front suspension, Swing-arm equipped twin hydraulic shocks on rear suspension. https://bikez.com/motorcycles/harley-davidson_sportster_xl_ironhead_1957.php With huge war debts to pay off, Great Britain turned to foreign markets to sell its products, and to say British motorcycle manufacturers were encouraged to export would be an understatement. At the time, Harley was making bikes that were just a bit too heavy for street riding. There were a lot of sailors interested in bikes. Best selection and great deals for 1957 Harley-Davidson Sportster - XLCH 900 items. Harley-Davidson Sportster Motorcycles For Sale: 218 Motorcycles - Find Harley-Davidson Sportster Motorcycles on Cycle Trader. Harley built this engine in two versions: the racing KR, which was smoking fast despite a modest 37 horsepower, and the 30 horsepower street K model, which was both heavier and slower than the competition. It was exactly what the sport guys wanted. Aside from the engine, most of the new for 1957 XL Sportster was carried over from the K model. This nice example has been restored in the classic Pepper Red and Black paint scheme with proper solo seat and Speedster handlebars. There weren’t a lot of happy dealers. Picture credits - 883zen.blogspot.no. The 57 Sporty's are highly sought after and very collectable. What Makes a Lexus Grill Different from other Car Grills? You varied the thickness of the fork oil to make your forks stiffer or softer. And not too surprisingly, the first year model has developed a  certain cachet. With the blessing and support of Harley-Davidson España, he’s taken a 2016 model Sportster and reconfigured it to resemble a late 50s Ironhead (below). Top Rated Seller Top Rated Seller. $10,488 5,674 miles . The final rebuild produced a correct, matching numbers 1957 Sportster looking just like it did when it rolled out of the factory, running as strongly and smoothly as it did when new. Save Even More Money with our RALLY-RATE plan! You kind find more detailed information, as well as references to compare these specs with those of similar bikes at Bikez.com. Harley did not have a dealer’s introduction for the Sportster, but unveiled its new bike at regional gatherings, instead. We’re talking about the 1957 Sportster XL Ironhead, which was the very first Sportster, the granddaddy of them all, you might say. Walter Davidson made good on his offer, and the scrambles-oriented XLCH appeared in 1958, along with the XLH, a higher compression version of the original Sportster. “I was a teenager at the time, hanging around Dudley Perkins and working on my K model,” Jim remembers. Free shipping for many items! Learn how your comment data is processed. History of the 1957-1972 Harley-Davidson Sportster The fabled Harley-Davidson Sportster was developed from a smaller and fairly unpopular Harley called Model K that was built from 1952-56. What Makes Lexus Rims Different From Other Car Rims? Which is a Better Investment: Pfizer or BioNTech? If he didn’t answer, he would call the guy after that,” Bruce recalls. Well, the body itself was much like those in the K-Line, with the same great big gas tank, fenders, frame, and even the same suspension system. The relatively long wheelbase made Sportsters relatively lazy handlers, which meant you could get away with a lot. This took some getting use to for those used to the left-side models, but since the British competition featured them on the right, Harley followed suit. Or, Bill Me Later and I'll pay just $34.95 for a one year subscription! Dudley Perkins Harley-Davidson sold a lot of Sportsters to smaller people, including some pioneering women. Harley had introduced its new sport machine to its dealers in December 1951. Register Today! Bruce Chubbuck was a teenager working in his father’s Los Angeles-area Harley dealership after school at the time, and remembers the strong demand for the few new bikes available. Toledo, OH When Harley Davidson upgraded the old Model K with a new, all iron OHV top end in 1957, the Sportster was introduced and quic… more Over 4 weeks ago on USClassifieds4all Sputnik 1, the first satellite, blasted into space, the Treaty of Rome established the European Economic Community, and Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard rocked and rolled from jukeboxes coast to coast. Get the job done with the right Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Parts for 1957 Harley-Davidson Sportster at the lowest prices. Unfortunately, the bike was in bad shape, with, among other problems, cracked engine cases. Brand New. They came up with a new overhead valve top end, which, in an inspired moment, someone decided should be called the Sportster. 1957-1984 Harley Davidson Ironhead Sportster Front Motor Mounts w/ Oil Filter . Appreciating that he was running out of time, Glenn called in Dave Carleton, one of the West Coast’s best known Sportster experts, to help. Dennis Kirk carries more 1957 Harley-Davidson Sportster - XL 900 products than any other aftermarket vendor and we have them all at the lowest guaranteed prices. Select any 1957 Harley-Davidson model Founded in 1903, Harley-Davidson is an American motorcycle manufacturer that specializes in heavyweight motorcycles designed for highway cruising. San Francisco riders were introduced to the new Sportster at a local flat track. Dennis Kirk carries more 1957 Harley-Davidson Sportster - XLCH 900 products than any other aftermarket vendor and we have them all at the lowest guaranteed prices. These are high quality reproductions of the famous script Sportster logo, OEM 61764-70, used on 1970 Sportsters. The K model guys had learned to make the K work, and the first Sportster was basically the same, with the same forks, although it was heavier than the K. “The brakes were the same as the K, not particularly bad,” Jim continues. At one point I was timed on the quarter mile at 11.58 seconds, with a terminal speed of 112mph.”. The California dealers, especially, wanted a KRTT (a road-racing version of the KR) with the Sportster engine. Bruce had just turned 21 years old and was enjoying a beer as he watched the show. It runs and drives just fine with only 2000 miles on a rebuilt motor. The Harley-Davidson Ironhead motor is the main reason for the enduring success of the Sportster. away . “My father had a list, and when he got a bike in, he would call the next guy on the list. They discovered that most men who rode like the more masculine feel of bigger, heavier bikes, and the Sportster, a mid-sized bike, just didn’t cut the mustard in that department. 1957 was quite a year. C $255.43. “In 1956, they hired me as parts guy — I retired from Dudley Perkins 40 years later as general manager.”, According to Jim, the average 1950s motorcycle enthusiast in San Francisco was “a working class guy. Not only that, but we have them all … 1957-1984 Harley Davidson Ironhead Sportster Front Motor Mount . The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Company had been in business for fifty-four years when they designed, manufactured, and released the bike model that would change the face of riding forever. The 1957 Harley Sportster had iron barrels and heads, a 7.5:1 compression ratio, and made 40 horsepower at 5,500rpm. PRETTY RARE ENGINE. I had a great time on that bike. is America's premier magazine for collectors and enthusiasts, dreamers and restorers, newcomers and life long motorheads who love the sound and the beauty of classic bikes. If I wanted to go someplace, I pointed it there and went. It did! Tariff Commission deliberated on Harley’s 1951 petition for a 40-percent import tariff on imported bikes, Harley — belatedly — began designing a midsize motorcycle to compete with the British motorcycles. Several British makes, including Triumph, were still selling bikes with rigid rear ends. In 1957 the company took their Sportster, with iron heads and all, to various regional shows to garner attention to it, since they had no dealer introductions to help them get the job done. Shop by warranty for No Warranty, Unspecified Length, 90 Day & more to find exactly what you need. See more ideas about ironhead sportster, sportster, harley davidson sportster. In response, Harley launched a two-pronged attack. Fitted with an XLCH magneto with good spark - usually starts on the second kick from cold. However he does like to take on other topics involving some of his personal interests like automobiles, future technologies, and anything else that could change the world. Read more Leave comment. 2019 Harley-Davidson Sportster Temecula Harley Davidson - 2,228 mi. Toledo, OH When Harley Davidson upgraded the old Model K with a new, all iron OHV top end in 1957, the Sportster was introduced and quic… more Over 4 weeks ago on USClassifieds4all List price for 1957 was $1,103. HD realized how important it was to be competitive when it came to the overall bike. 1957 Harley-Davidson Sportster X Take a closer look at this motorcycle with Glenn Bator. In 1954, Harley stroked the Harley K model to 54 cubic inches (883cc), which made it fast enough to keep up with the BSAs and Triumphs, and renamed it the Harley-Davidson KH. ... 1957 Harley-Davidson SPORTSTER Private Seller - 1,941 mi. One of these was Giovanni Valla, the Harley-Davidson dealer in Milan, Italy. With a V-2 four-stroke engine that boasted forty horses of power, many simply couldn’t wait to get their rear ends on one, and the retail price, brand new, wasn’t too bad at $1100. Pre-Owned. For Harley Davidson Street Glide Special FLHXS Black Motorcycle Rearview Mirrors (Fits: 1957 Harle… The forks were contemporary K model forks, which were copies of contemporary Triumph forks. Heritage Revisited: 2016 Moto Guzzi V7 II Stornello. away . The K-Line models did use a side-valve engine (also referred to as a ‘flathead’), but the Sportsters had overhead valve engines, which were a bit quieter, ran more smoothly, and offered more power than the side-valves. “The bikes remain as a tribute to Giovanni Valla’s passion and love for American motorcycles,” Glenn says. The northwest Utah-based Bonneville Salt Flats have always been known for high speed competition. Through most of its history, Harley has followed a policy of making one major improvement at a time. Considered by many Sportster purists as the last real Harley engine, the Ironhead is the throbbing powerhouse that lends heart and soul to a long line of Sportsters produced from 1957 to 1985. This bike sold at the 2011 Daytona Classic Motorcycle Auction for $19,000. Top Rated Seller Top Rated Seller. From United States. The Sportster XL was introduced as “a modern, up-to-date power plant.” In 1952, the W models were replaced with the revered 45-cubic inch side-valve K series. In fact we’ve rated this among the very best Sportsters in Harley Davidson history. It had a left hand clutch and shifting was by the rider’s right foot, just like the competing Brit bikes. When Harley Davidson upgraded the old Model K with a new, all-iron OHV top end in 1957, the Sportster was introduced and quickly became an American icon, and Harley-Davidson’s most successful model. The 1957 Sportster owed most of its DNA to the KH. With the Sportster finally finished, Glenn took it and another early Sportster to the 2010 AMA Hall of Fame Concours D’Elegance, winning first and second place in the Classic American category. The original Sportster engine was the Ironhead engine, which was replaced with the Evolution engine in 1986. Shop the best 1957 Harley-Davidson Sportster 900 Kick Start XL900 Parts & Accessories for your motorcycle at J&P Cycles. The frame, large fenders, touring-size tank and front suspension were straight from the KH, lightly modified to fit the taller overhead valve engine. Although it still used a side-valve layout, the 45 cubic-inch (743cc) K engine was a fresh design, built in unit with the four-speed transmission. By this time, what with locating all the missing correct parts, getting the chrome re-plated and having the sheet metal and frame painted in the correct colors, a couple of years had gone by. C $75.37. Very rare 1957 Harley Davidson XL Sportster. 1957 Harley Davidson Sportster First year model for the Harley Davidson Sportster model. This proved to be more efficient all-around, and the Sportster took off like lightning, even winning the difficult Jack Pine Enduro race before the first year of its release was even over. Harley-Davidson Ironhead Sportster (1957 to Current) Gas Tank Art Reproduction Decals. Some even called the bike ‘ugly’ and voiced bits of advice for changing it up. Discuss this bike Rate this motorbike This bike's rating Write a review Sell this motorcycle Such bikes for sale Insurance quotes Finance options Tip a friend List related bikes: 1969 Harley Davidson xlch Ironhead sportster chopper custom rigid frame powdercoated black , the engine has about 100 miles on it since a complete rebuild . Even so, the trickle of new bikes that left the factory in 1945 and 1946 got snapped up as soon they arrived at dealer showrooms. You save an additional $5.00 and get 6 issues of Motorcycle Classics for only $29.95 (USA only). Harley-Davidson Ironhead V-Twin rebuild time lapse | Hagerty Media Share. NOS Mac 1957-85 Harley Davidson Sportster Staggered Duals Exhaust 2" Black Taper. There you have it: the basic features of the original 1957 Sportster XL. Already a Member/Subscriber but haven't activated your account? Glenn was born in 1957, and the first bike he ever restored was a 1957 Harley Sportster. “He will be missed.” Elvis and jukeboxes may be gone, but Giovanni’s 1957 Sportster lives on. Glenn agreed to do the work, mostly because he had a soft spot both for 1957 Sportsters and Giovanni Valla. A second try produced no better results. With over 10 years experience he's covered businesses, CEOs, and investments. Harley also built a hopped-up version of the KH, the Harley KHK, in 1955 and 1956. Every issue  delivers exciting and evocative articles and photographs of the most brilliant, unusual and popular motorcycles ever made! this was a running engine when pulled a few years ago. The front end was telescopic and the rear was a swingarm with twin shocks, a first for Harley and in 1951 quite an advance. But if they didn’t sell, they would produce no more. Glenn was to send both bikes to Giovanni in Milan right after the show, but as he was getting ready to ship the Sportsters, he was notified that Giovanni had died. Get free shipping, 4% cashback and 10% off select brands with a Gold Club membership, plus free everyday tech support on aftermarket 1957 Harley-Davidson Sportster 900 Kick Start XL900 Parts & Accessories & motorcycle parts. THIS WAS A RUNNING ENGINE WHEN PULLED A FEW YEARS AGO. The bike was customised in the 70’s. The sporting guys thought it was butt ugly. Considered a sports bike, it was built to be lighter with more power, and its particulars were the reasons it was a success in those departments. Well, little did the world know that Harley had unleashed a bike on the world that was destined to not only be around for a long time to come, but would also give the freedom to ride to anyone who wanted to; the legend had unknowingly given us another. Fuel capacity/MPG: 4.4gal (16.6ltr)/50mpg (est.). But, as usual, there is nothing quite like the original…. 1957 Harley Davidson FLH, Bobber, Chopper, Ol-School, Shovelhead. They went to Harley Engineering to make sure it would work, and then they confronted Walter Davidson and demanded he build this bike. In 1957, Elvis Presley released the hit song "All Shook Up", the first Frisbee was produced, and the Harley-Davidson Sportster model motorcycle was introduced. And love for American Motorcycles, ” Bruce remembers “ he will be missed. ” Elvis and jukeboxes be... 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