EVO: Engine Mechanicals - Sub-09E

Pics and Information on 1986-2003 Motor Mounts


Top Center Mount Bracket per Year Model

  • 1986-1991 Sportster Top Center Mounts:
    • Made for right side petcock.
    • 86-91 top center mounts are identical except for the finish.
      883 center mounts had a natural metal finish and 1100/1200s were black powder coat.
    • Both have a 3/8“ vertical hole near the left center end of the base plate to bolt the key switch cover (under) the motor mount.
      883 had a 3/8” bolt for the key switch cover and 1100 / 1200 had a stud thru a horn bracket mounting the horn and switch cover to the motor mount.
    • Both have a 1/4“ hole through the back plate to bolt the VOES to the rear side of the mount.
    • Both have a slotted hole through both the “ears” that mount to each head for adjustment.
    • There is minimal welding on the back of the side plates that attach to the base of the mount.
  • 1992-1993 Sportster Top Center Mount:
    • Made for right side petcock.
    • The same mount was used for 883 and 1200 models.
    • Has the 3/8” hole on the center left of the base plate (no longer used for the key switch) for the horn bracket (1200).
    • Has a 2nd hole (1/4“) in the middle of the base plate for mounting the key switch cover on (top) of the motor mount.
    • Has a 1/4” stud through the back plate to bolt the VOES to the rear side of the mount.
    • Has the slotted hole through both the “ears” that mount to each head for adjustment.
    • Has the same minimal welding on the back of the side plates (as in previous) that attach to the base of the mount.
  • 1994 Sportster Top Center Mount:
    • Made for right side petcock.
    • The 94 mount looks identical to the 92-93 mount on face value.
      The only notable difference seems to be in construction changes.
      The stud for mounting the VOES has an indention in the head as if welded there.
      The 3/8“ hole in the left center seems to be moved further toward the outside edge (or maybe the edge was cut slightly shorter by the factory).
    • Has the 3/8” hole on the center left of the base plate (no longer used for the key switch) for the horn bracket (1200).
    • Has the 2nd hole (1/4“) in the middle of the base plate for mounting the key switch cover on (top) of the motor mount.
    • Has a 1/4” stud through the back plate to bolt the VOES to the rear side of the mount.
    • Has the slotted hole through both the “ears” that mount to each head for adjustment.
    • Has the same minimal welding on the back of the side plates (as in previous) that attach to the base of the mount.
  • 1995-1996 Sportster Top Center Mount:
    • Made for left side petcock.
      95-up gas tanks have the fuel petcock on the left side as opposed to the right on previous models.
      The middle of the center mount's base was hogged out to accommodate the left side petcock and fuel hoses.
    • No longer supports a key switch.
      The key switch would interfere with the left side petcock so the switch was moved to the right side of the bike with a different cover.
    • The left center edge was bent down with a vertical slot in the center (slot faces up, hole faces out).
      A bolt or threaded rubber bumper now bolts thru the slot to mount the horn.
    • Has a 1/4“ hole through the back plate to bolt the VOES to the rear side of the mount (stud was deleted).
    • The rear bolt hole for attaching to the heads changed. The front is still slotted but the rear is now a round hole.
    • Has a T-stud welded to the upper right side for a plastic wire clamp.
    • It has a full weld on the inside of the side plates that attach to the base of the mount.
  • 1997 Sportster Top Center Mount:
    • Made for left side petcock.
    • The 97 center mount looks identical to the 95-96 mount but the big hole thru the center of the base was cut different on the left side.
      The “wings” or side ends at the base plate are also longer giving more strength to the assembly.
    • Does not support a key switch.
    • The left center edge was bent down differently still having a vertical slot in the center (slot faces up, hole faces out).
      A bolt or threaded rubber bumper bolts thru the slot to mount the horn.
    • Has a 1/4” hole through the back plate to bolt the VOES to the rear side of the mount.
    • The front bolt hole for attaching to the heads is slotted and the rear hole is round.
    • Has a T-stud welded to the upper right side for a plastic wire clamp.
    • It has a full weld on the inside of the side plates that attach to the base of the mount.
  • 1998-2003 Sportster Top Center Mount:
    • Made for left side petcock.
    • Enrichment cable ready.
      The 98-03 center mount is identical to the 97 mount with exception of an enrichment cable bracket built into it.
      88-97 center mounts use an additional bracket onto the center mount to attach the enrichment cable.
    • The left center edge is bent just like the 97 mount still having a vertical slot in the center (slot faces up, hole faces out).
      A bolt or threaded rubber bumper bolts thru the slot to mount the horn.
    • The metal extends from the horn bracket slot forward to another slot for the enrichment cable (slot faces down, hole faces out).
    • Does not support a key switch.
    • Has a 1/4“ hole through the back plate to bolt the VOES to the rear side of the mount.
    • It has a full weld on the inside of the side plates that attach to the base of the mount.
    • The front bolt hole for attaching to the heads is slotted and the rear hole is round.
    • Has a T-stud welded to the upper right side for a plastic wire clamp.
1986-1991 883 Sportster Top Center Motor Mount 1)
1986-1987 1100, 1988-1991 1200 Sportster Top Center Motor Mount (16278-86) 2)
1992-1993 Sportster Top Center Motor Mount Bracket (16278-86A) 3)
1994 Sportster Top Center Motor Mount Bracket (16278-86B) 4)
1995-1996 Sportster Top Center Motor Mount (16278-95) 5)
1997 Sportster Top Center Motor Mount (16278-95A) 6)
1998-2003 Sportster Top Center Motor Mount Bracket (16278-95B) 7)

Top Center Mounts - What Fits What

1986-2003 top center mounts will all interchange (if only speaking of mounting to the heads and frame).
However, considerations will have to be made for the ignition switch, fuel tank petcock and possible horn locations depending on the year model of your motorcycle.
More specific information is listed below.

  • 1986-1991 Sportster Top Center Mounts:
    • Can be used on 92-94 models by drilling the 1/4” hole for the key switch or relocating the switch.
  • 1992-1993 Sportster Top Center Mount:
    • Can be used on 86-94 models without alterations.
  • 1994 Sportster Top Center Mount:
    • Can be used on 86-94 models without alterations.
  • 1995-1996 Sportster Top Center Mount:
    • Can be used on 97 models without alterations.
    • Can be used on 98-03 models by installing the enrichment cable support bracket (69035-95).
      (relocate the horn and the enrichment cable can be installed in that slotted hole without the extra support bracket)
    • Can be used on 86-94 models if the ignition switch is relocated.
  • 1997 Sportster Top Center Mount:
    • Can be used on 86-94 models if the ignition switch is relocated.
    • Can be used on 95-97 models without alterations.
    • Can be used on 98-03 models by installing the enrichment cable support bracket (69035-95).
      (relocate the horn and the enrichment cable can be installed in that slotted hole without the extra support bracket)
  • 1998-2003 Sportster Top Center Mount:
    • Can be used on used on 86-94 models if the ignition switch is relocated.
    • Can be used on 95-97 models by deleting the enrichment cable support bracket (69035-95).

Below is a 1994 883>1200 Sportster with a 1997 3.3 gal Custom fuel tank, switch relocated and a 98-03 tiop center motor mount.
The fuel tank swap put the petcock on the left side the 98 style center mount was needed to have the open area downward so the petcock can feed past the bracket.
8)


1)
photos courtesy of c3cycle.com https://www.c3cycle.com/
2) , 5)
Photos courtesy of c3cycle.com https://www.c3cycle.com/
3) , 7)
photos courtesy of Ebay seller, Vintage Parts Suppliers, Link to Ebay Store
4)
photos courtesy of IXL2Relax of the XLFORUM
6)
Photos courtesy of Ebay seller, cmachineworks Link to Ebay Store
8)
photo by IXL2Relax of the XLFORUM
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