1996 Sportster

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Example: 1HD1CHP16TY201624 appears on steering head. Abbreviated VIN appears on engine crankcase - CHP16TY201624


Motorcycle Origin

Manufacturer/ Make

Motorcycle Displacement Type

Model Designation

Engine Size

Introduction Date / Special Models

VIN Check Digit

Model Year

Assembly Plant

Serial Number
Made in USA Harley Davidson 1 = 901 cc & up
4 = 351-900 cc
CA = XLH 883
CE = XLH 883 Hugger
CA= XLH 1200
CG = XL 1200C Custom
CH = XL1200S Sport
M = 883 CC ENGINE
P = 1200 CC ENGINE
1 = Regular
2 = Mid Year Intro Date
3 = California Models
Can be
0 - 9 or X
T = 1996
Y = YORK, PA

K = Kansas City, MO
1 HD 1 CH P 1 6 T Y 201624

Related Manuals and Documentation

Below are some suggestions for manuals for your ride.
You should have, at minimum, a Factory Service Manual (FSM) and a Factory Parts Catalog for your year model.
Note: Updated manuals sometimes correct mistakes from the original manuals and some are updated simply to add mid year intro models.

Factory Service Manuals (FSM);
The FSM will have the most accurate information, procedures and specs.
Clymer and Haynes make service manuals also for Sportsters but some of the information is in error to the factory FSMs.
And some of the information in the aftermarket manuals is vague in information or procedures but they may have more pictures.
So it is generally said you can get use from both an aftermarket manual and the factory service manuals but get the factory manual first.
Click Here to view the Factory Service Manual page in the Sportsterpedia.

Parts Catalogs;
The Parts Catalog has part numbers of course but it also has exploded parts views.
However, IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN ASSEMBLY MANUAL.
And some of the exploded views are confusing or not related to each other on the same pages.
But, all in all, the exploded views do help finding what goes where.
Most of the fasteners listed in the relevant parts catalog individual pages have thread sizes and lengths also in case you need those.
Below is a simple list of original and “latest edition parts catalogs. The in-between year books may show different part numbers for the same year model bike.
Click Here to see the Factory Parts Catalog page in the Sportsterpedia for parts catalog uses and a full list of parts catalog numbers from 1957 to present.
(complete list of other parts catalogs and supplement catalogs that pertain to each year model on the bottom of that page)
Some often acquire several year model parts catalogs and that page will help decide which ones are right for them.

Suggested Manuals:

  • Factory Service Manual (FSM):
    • Original: 1996 XLH Models Service Manual (99484-96)
  • Factory Parts Catalog:
    • Original: 1995-1996 Parts Catalog for All Model Sportsters (99451-96)
      • Written in 1995 and lists parts available in 1996 for 1995-1996 models.
    • Updated Version: 1995-1996 Parts Catalog for All Model Sportsters (99451-96A)
      • Also written in 1995 and lists parts available in 1996 for 1995-1996 models.
  • Factory Owners Manual:
    • 1996 (all) Models Owners Manual (99466-96).

Pics of Manual Covers.
Below are pics of used manual covers related to 1996 model Sportsters.
See the full list of pertinent catalogs in the links above.
Click on any pic below to enlarge:

1996 Owners Manual (99466-96)
1995-1996 FSM
Original Manual (99484-96)
1995-1996 Original
Parts Catalog (99451-96)
1995-1996 Updated
Parts Catalog (99451-96A)

Engine, Drivetrain, Performance

Engine- 883

  • Air Cooled, Overhead Valve, V-twin Evolution®
  • Type: 4 Cycle, 45'V
  • Bore: 3.000 in. / 76.20 mm
  • Stroke: 3.812 in. / 96.82 mm
  • Piston Displacement: 53.9 ci / 883 cc
  • Compression Ratio: 9.0 to 1
  • Horsepower: 55 @ 6,000 rpm 1)
  • Oil Tank Capacity w/Filter: 3 qt / 2.8 liters

Specifications


Drivetrain

  • Primary Drive: Triple- Row Chain
  • Primary Drive Front Gear: 35 Teeth
  • Primary Drive Rear Gear: 56 Teeth
  • Primary Drive Ratio: 1.60:1
  • Final Drive: 128 Tooth Secondary Drive Belt
  • Final Drive Transmission Sprocket: 27 Teeth 2)
  • Final Drive Rear Wheel Sprocket: 61 Teeth
  • Final Drive Ratio: 2.26 : 1
  • Transmission- Trap Door Style, Constant Mesh Type 5-speed
  • Gear Ratios (overall)- Domestic and HDI 3) - 4)
    • 1st: 9.71
    • 2nd: 7.12
    • 3rd: 5.18
    • 4th: 4.26
    • 5th: 3.61

Performance

  • Engine Torque Testing Method:
  • Engine Torque:Torque: 50 ft-lb @ 4,600 rpm 5)
  • Lean Angle, Right (deg.):
  • Lean Angle, Left (deg.):
  • Fuel Economy, Combined City/Highway:

Engine- 1200

  • Air Cooled,Overhead Valve, V-twin Evolution®
  • Type: 4 Cycle, 45'V
  • Bore: 3.498 in. / 88.85 mm
  • Stroke: 3.812 in. / 96.82 mm
  • Piston Displacement: 73.3 ci / 1201 cc
  • Compression Ratio: 9.0 to 1
  • Horsepower: 65 @ 5,200 rpm 6)
  • Oil Tank Capacity w/Filter: 3 qt / 2.8 liters

Specifications


Drivetrain

  • Primary Drive: Triple- Row Chain
  • Primary Drive Front Gear: 35 Teeth
  • Primary Drive Rear Gear: 56 Teeth
  • Primary Drive Ratio: 1.60:1
  • Final Drive: 128 Tooth Secondary Drive Belt
  • Final Drive Transmission Sprocket: 29 Teeth 7)
  • Final Drive Rear Wheel Sprocket: 61 Teeth
  • Final Drive Ratio: 2.10:1
  • Transmission- Trap Door Style, Constant Mesh Type 5-speed
  • Gear Ratios (overall) Domestic and HDI 8) - 9)
    • 1st: 9.04
    • 2nd: 6.62
    • 3rd: 4.82
    • 4th: 3.97
    • 5th: 3.36

Performance

  • Engine Torque Testing Method:
  • Engine Torque:Torque: 71 ft-lb @ 4,000 rpm 10)
  • Lean Angle, Right (deg.):
  • Lean Angle, Left (deg.):
  • Fuel Economy, Combined City/Highway:

Specifications


Models

XLH 883

$ 5,095 Suggested Retail Price (when new) 11) What is the Current KBB Value?12)

  • Colors: Solid and Candy

XLH 883 Hugger

$ 5,760 Suggested Retail Price (when new) 13) What is the Current KBB Value? 14)

  • Colors: Solid and Cand

XLH 1200

$ 7,360 Suggested Retail Price (when new) 15) What is the Current KBB Value? 16)

  • Colors: Solid, Candy and Two Tone

17)

  • 1996 XLH 1200

XL 1200C Custom

$ 8,360 Suggested Retail Price (when new) 18) What is the Current KBB Value? 19)

  • Colors: Solid, Candy and Two Tone

XL 1200S Sport

$ 7,910 Suggested Retail Price (when new) 20) What is the Current KBB Value? 21)

  • Colors: Solid, Candy and Two Tone

22)

  • 1996 XL 1200S

Back to Sportster History Index

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