Now see, to me, the '72 was the quintessential Sportster. First year for that Cobra-style seat (that all the moto-journalists hated), and first year for the 997cc ("1000") motor. Yet it still had the drum front brake, and the gauges on the back side of the bars. Old school! Black springs on the rear shocks, too. And that lower triple-tree cover - awesome! What a beautiful machine. Don't know why, but Harley's always look good in black and chrome, even though it's not my favorite color (which would be fire-engine red like my '86 883). The '72 was not the first Sportster that I ever saw, but it was the one that really hit the right notes with me. Just gorgeous! :)
I really really wanted that Sportster back in '72. 😀 Stock they weren't slow but the testers for the various mags at the time pulled the mufflers & rejetted and voila a competitive superbike!
I had a pair of grips like those on my Honda CL350 I think they were called competition grips. And they also had another pair called wrinkle grips. They both were popular on choppers in the 60's and 70's. I had 72 xlh like this. It's a nice old sportster, my favorite 3 things on this bike are the larger round horn button and start button. And the chrome tach and speedo.And the stock tapered pipes!! They really look cool at night. Better than the 74-76 plastic tach and speedo that looked like the ones on my Honda 350! Whoever gets your sporty is getting a rare unmolested bike.
That is in incredible original condition. I believe the milage because of the condition. I have a 72 XLCH awaiting my attention that's nowhere close to that nice. That mirror is not original. Looks like an 80's aftermarket to me. Great bike! I'd be interested to know how much you sell it for.
I have a 72 XLH Sportster had it since 1979 hasn't run since 1994, rode it last time in a friends funeral pros session(spell checker no help) Pretty much stock repainted several times. May be this will get me enthused to get it out and get some fresh protein (BUGS) .
This is such a beautiful example of a pre-disc front brake early Sportster. One of the nicest features on these bikes is the internal throttle. That throttle set-up is not complicated, finicky or rough operating. They are very smooth with almost firearm quality made parts in there. If you have a pre-73 Sportster (or any pre-disc front brake Harley) take the time to learn the internal throttle set-up. Nothing smoother or clean looking.
Once u get used to them they have a neat desighn mo.metric bolts light simple to work on gen and the starter is right there plus mine only weighs 498 pounds with fluids no more big bikes for me not worth it
Once u get used to them they have a neat desighn mo.metric bolts light simple to work on gen and the starter is right there plus mine only weighs 498 pounds with fluids no more big bikes for me not worth it Mines not like this it's Ben moded a bit a rake and paint with staggered exaust hate to admit but harleys need to be fierce with the famous harley roar looking
Thst only for people who think the biggest is the is best well its not by any means way mor fuel more insurance and more weight no thanks I'll stick wit my sporty grate for me don't need al yhst bulldhit on a bike to mutch crap
I have a 72 and I was offered 3000 before I had a chance to work on it nope not selling mine what for the lod harleythere built way better plus there almost gone I don't like the new ones now there 35..percent Japanese now no thanks I'll keep my ole school hog thank you Japanese now
