Table of Contents
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1959 Sportster
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- The serial number is stamped on the left side of the engine case. The first 5 or 6 digits represent the year and model 1)
Specifications
Engine
- Engine type: 4 cycle Overhead Valves, 45 degree V2 2)
- Displacement: 54 ci / 883 cc
- Hemi-spherical style heads
- Bore: 3 in / 7.62 cm 3)
- Stroke: 3.8125 in / 9.68 cm 4)
- 90 Degree Valve Angle
- Horsepower: 42 @ 5,500rpm (XL) 5)
| XL | XLH,XLCH | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | 7.5:1 | 9.0:1 |
| Torque | 48 ft-lb / 2.023 Nm @ 3600 RPM | 52 ft-lb / 2.191 Nm @ 3800 RPM |
Capacities
Dimensions
- Weight: 495 lb / 225 kg
| XL, XLH | XLCH | |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 56.6 in / 143.51 cm | 57 in / 137.6 cm |
| Overall Length | 87 in / 221 cm | 83.25 in / 211.4 cm |
| Overall Width | 34 in / 86.36 cm | 29.5 in / 75 cm |
| Overall Height | 40.5 in / 103 cm | 42 in / 106.7 cm |
| Road Clearance | 2.5 in / 6.35 cm minimum | 4 1/8 in / 10.478 cm minimum |
Drivetrain
- Constant Mesh - Foot shift
- Speeds - 4 Forward
- Number of Sprocket Teeth
- Engine: 34
- Clutch: 59
- Transmission: 21 (XLCH 20)
- Rear Wheel: 51
- Gear Ratios (XL,XLH)
- 1st: 10.63 to 1
- 2nd: 7.69 to 1
- 3rd: 5.82 to 1
- 4th: 4.21 to 1
- Gear Ratios (XLCH)
- 1st: 11.16:1
- 2nd: 8.08:1
- 3rd: 6.11:1
- 4th: 4.42:1
Tires
- Front and rear: 3.50 x 18
- Tire pressure
- Front: 14 psi / .96 bar
- Rear: 18 psi / 1.24 bar
Models
XL 883
- $1,175 when new with only 42 ever produced. 11)
XLH 883
- $1,200 when new with 947 produced 12)
XLCH 883
- $1,285 when new with 1059 produced 13)
- New Features 14)
- New dual exhaust with twin mufflers.
- Nacelle 5 ¾ in headlamp with eyebrow on
- Trip-o-meter
XLR
XLRTT
Back to Sportster History Index
1)
HD Parts Catalog XLH/XLCH-1000 #(99451-78)
