Table of Contents

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1998 Sportster

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Example: 1HD1CHP16WY201624 appears on steering head. Abbreviated VIN appears on engine crankcase - CHP16WY201624


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
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 		w = 1998
Y = YORK, PA

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


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: 57 @ 6,000 rpm
  • 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
  • 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
    • 1st: 9.71
    • 2nd: 7.12
    • 3rd: 5.18
    • 4th: 4.26
    • 5th: 3.61

Performance

  • Engine Torque Testing Method:
  • Engine Torque:Torque: 53 ft-lb @ 4,000 rpm
  • 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: 66 @ 5,200 rpm
  • 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
  • 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)
    • 1st: 9.04
    • 2nd: 6.62
    • 3rd: 4.82
    • 4th: 3.97
    • 5th: 3.36

Performance

  • Engine Torque Testing Method:
  • Engine Torque:Torque: 72 ft-lb @ 4,000 rpm
  • Lean Angle, Right (deg.):
  • Lean Angle, Left (deg.):
  • Fuel Economy, Combined City/Highway:

Engine- 1200S

  • 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: 10.0 to 1
  • Horsepower: 69 @ 5,500 rpm
  • Oil Tank Capacity w/Filter: 3 qt / 2.8 liters
  • Ignition: Single Fire Twin Plug Ignition System

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
  • 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)
    • 1st: 9.04
    • 2nd: 6.62
    • 3rd: 4.82
    • 4th: 3.97
    • 5th: 3.36

Performance

  • Engine Torque Testing Method:
  • Engine Torque:Torque: 76 ft-lb @ 4,000 rpm
  • Lean Angle, Right (deg.):
  • Lean Angle, Left (deg.):
  • Fuel Economy, Combined City/Highway:

Specifications

Engine

  • Top End
  • Bottom End
  • Oiling- Lubrication
    • Engine is force fed by a dual purpose, gerotor style, oil/ scavenger pump.
    • See engine oiling cycle: Oil Cycle

Transmission

All Models

  • Clutch:
    • Wet multi-disk clutch pack
    • 6 steel plates, 8 friction fiber plates, 1 spring plate
    • Plate Order: F-ST-F-ST-F-ST-F-SP-F-ST-F-ST-F-ST-F
    • Max Warpage: Friction Plate or Steel Plate- 0.0059 in. / 0.150 mm

Troubleshooting

Wheel Options/ Accompanying Tires

  • Front- Cast- Tubeless:
    • XL883, XL883 Hugger, XL1200 and XL1200S: 1)
      • 19in.(T19 x 2.15 MT)-(Silver)- 13 Spoke
    • XL1200:
      • 19in. (T19 x 2.15 MT)-(Black)- 13 Spoke
    • All Wheels
      • Rim Valve Hole Dia.: 0.45in
      • Tire/Size: Dunlop D401 Elite S/T- 100/90-19
      • Tire/Size: Dunlop K591 S&FR ELITE- 100/90-V19
  • Front- Laced:
    • XL883, XL883 Hugger, XL1200 and XL1200S: 2)
      • 19in. (T19 x 2.50 TLA)-(Chrome)- 20 Spoke
      • Tire/ Size: Dunlop D401 Elite S/T- 100/90-19
      • Tube Size: MJ90-19
    • XL1200C:
      • 21in. (T21 x 215 TLA)-(Chrome) 20 Spoke
      • Tire/ Size: Dunlop Touring Elite II- MH90-21 56H
      • Tube Size: 3.00 x 21
  • Rear- Cast- Tubeless:
    • XL883, XL883 Hugger, XL1200S: 3)
      • 16in. (T16 X 3.00 D)-(Silver) 13 Spoke
    • XL1200:
      • 16in. (T16 X 3.00 D)-(Black) 13 Spoke
    • XL1200C:
      • Solid w/ Slots
    • All Wheels:
      • Rim Valve Hole Dia.: 0.35in
      • Tire/Size: Dunlop D401 Elite S/T- 130/90-16
      • Tire/Size: Dunlop K591 S&FR ELITE- 130/90-V16
  • Rear- Laced:
    • All Models: 4)
      • 16in. (T16 X 3.00 D)-(Chrome) 40 Spoke
      • Tire/ Size: Dunlop D401 Elite S/T- 130/90- 16 (except XL1200C)
      • Tire/ Size: Dunlop Touring Elite II- MT-90-B16 (XL1200C only)
      • Tube Size: MT90-16 (all Models)

Models

XLH 883

Dimensions

  • Wheelbase: 60.2 in. / 1,529 mm
  • Overall Length: 87.6 in. / 2,225 mm
  • Overall Width: 33 in. / 838 mm
  • Overall Height: 47.5 in. / 1,207 mm
  • Road Clearance: 6.70 in. / 170.2 mm
  • Weight: 488 lb. / 221 kg (as shipped from factory)
  • GVWR is printed on a label on the frame steering head
  • Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings;
  • GVWR: 948 lb. / 430 kg
  • GVWR-Front: 353 lb. / 160 kg
  • GVWR-Rear: 595 lb. / 270 kg
  • Fuel Capacity: 3.30 US gal. / 12.5 liters
  • Oil Tank capacity with filter: 3 US qt.

XLH 883 Hugger

Dimensions

  • Wheelbase: 59.0 in. / 1,499 mm
  • Overall Length: 87.25 in. / 2,216 mm
  • Overall Width: 35 in. / 889 mm
  • Overall Height: 49.75 in / 1,264 mm
  • Road Clearance: 4.50 in. / 114.3 mm
  • Weight: 485 lb. / 220 kg (as shipped from factory)
  • GVWR is printed on a label on the frame steering head
  • Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings;
  • GVWR: 948 lb. / 430 kg
  • GVWR-Front: 353 lb. / 160 kg
  • GVWR-Rear: 595 lb. / 270 kg
  • Fuel Capacity: 3.30 US gal. / 12.5 liters
  • Oil Tank capacity with filter: 3 US qt.

XLH 1200

Dimensions

  • Wheelbase: 60.2 in. / 1,529 mm
  • Overall Length: 87.6 in. / 2,225 mm
  • Overall Width: 35 in. / 889 mm
  • Overall Height: 47.5 in. / 1,207 mm
  • Road Clearance: 6.70 in. / 170.2 mm
  • Weight: 494 lb. / 224 kg (as shipped from factory)
  • GVWR is printed on a label on the frame steering head
  • Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings;
  • GVWR: 948 lb. / 430 kg
  • GVWR-Front: 353 lb. / 160 kg
  • GVWR-Rear: 595 lb. / 270 kg
  • Fuel Capacity: 3.30 US gal. / 12.5 liters
  • Oil Tank capacity with filter: 3 US qt.

XLH 1200C

Dimensions

  • Wheelbase: 59.0 in. / 1,499 mm
  • Overall Length: 87.25 in. / 2,216 mm
  • Overall Width: 35 in. / 889 mm
  • Overall Height: 49.75 in. / 1,264 mm
  • Road Clearance: 6.70 in. / 170.2 mm
  • Weight: 483 lb. / 219 kg (as shipped from factory)
  • GVWR is printed on a label on the frame steering head
  • Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings;
  • GVWR: 948 lb. / 430 kg
  • GVWR-Front: 353 lb. / 160 kg
  • GVWR-Rear: 595 lb. / 270 kg
  • Fuel Capacity: 3.30 US gal. / 12.5 liters
  • Oil Tank capacity with filter: 3 US qt.

XLH 1200S

Dimensions

  • Wheelbase: 60.2 in. / 1,529 mm
  • Overall Length: 87.6 in. / 2,225 mm
  • Overall Width: 35 in. / 889 mm
  • Overall Height: 49.75 in. / 1,264 mm
  • Road Clearance: 6.70 in. / 170.2 mm
  • Weight: 497 lb. / 225.6 kg (as shipped from factory)
  • GVWR is printed on a label on the frame steering head
  • Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings;
  • GVWR: 948 lb. / 430 kg
  • GVWR-Front: 353 lb. / 160 kg
  • GVWR-Rear: 595 lb. / 270 kg
  • Fuel Capacity: 3.30 US gal. / 12.5 liters
  • Oil Tank capacity with filter: 3 US qt.

Back to Sportster History Index

1)
Harley Davidson Parts Manual, pg 53, Item 8,13
2)
Harley Davidson Parts Manual, pg 55, Item 10
3)
Harley Davidson Parts Manual, pg 57, Item 8
4)
Harley Davidson Parts Manual, pg 59, Item 10
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Trace: • 1978 Sportster • 1997 Sportster • 1971 Sportster • 2016 Sportster • 1984 Sportster • 1964 Sportster • 1969 Sportster • 1998 Sportster