1998 Harley Davidson 883 Sportster

[7M.elody]

Hi guys,
I have a new addition to the family I want to share
My other half got me this as a birthday/xmas pressie, I can't take it home till xmas (not that thats an issue seeing as I can't ride yet) but in the meantime I can tinker with it at his work where it's staying for the time being
I have always wanted a Harley since being a kid but strangely enough have no real interest in anything else on two wheels!

Today I spent the whole day cleaning her, she's only done 4400 miles from new and runs like a dream I'm so happy!

I have named her Harliquin after the Marvel villan. Hehe.

Anyway here are some pics, I've never had anything that took so long to clean, but it was worth it!














I love the attention to detail on these things, and it sounds epic! Phil's boss took me out on it, first time on a bike as a passenger, and it was brill. I can't wait till I can ride it myself.

Oh and since Harleys are for modifiying, feel free to throw spme ideas about!

[dungbug]

Jun 25, 2015 23:42:34 GMT 7M.elody said:

I love the attention to detail on these things, and it sounds epic! Phil's boss took me out on it, first time on a bike as a passenger, and it was brill. I can't wait till I can ride it myself.

Oh and since Harleys are for modifiying, feel free to throw spme ideas about!

Riding a bike is great fun......I was out on my old ratter yesterday in sunshine

I'll just leave these here...........

[mylittletony]

Firstly, congratulations, looks very tidy!!

Secondly, keep on eye for loose bolts!

If you want modifying ideas, have a look at www.pipeburn.com/, www.bratstyle.com/ or "Every loser needs a f*cking hero" (minus the star) on facebook, although it entirely depends on what style you're after!

A popular mod is to fit 1200 barrels to give it some bite to match the bark.

Enjoy!

[grizz]

Congrats!!!

Nice bike to start with.

I personally started of on a RD350 aircooled Yamaha, and have no issue with people starting on bigger bikes, as common sense should prevail, and Darwin should rule.

Unless you have ridden a long time before, you will need to be extra vigilant on the roads, in fact even on your drive.

I have one issue though, you are calling the bike a her, but naming it Harlequin.....?

Anyway, off to MoT my bike this morning at 07.45

[skylinedave]

Question for bike guys , I'm starting to collect parts to build a bike , probably around a sportster engine , but is it true they only do 38 mpg ? [ reality more like 32 ?] Are they really that bad on petrol ?

[mrvincent]

Nice one! Once you have had a Harley there is no going back !! 

Here are my latest one and a few of my old ones !

[madmog]

Jun 27, 2015 6:05:57 GMT grizz said:

Congrats!!!

I have one issue though, you are calling the bike a her, but naming it Harlequin.....?

Marvel character Harley Quinn, Joker's girlfriend. Poison Ivy's girlfriend too ...

[7M.elody]

Jun 27, 2015 19:42:05 GMT madmog said:

Jun 27, 2015 6:05:57 GMT grizz said:

Congrats!!!

I have one issue though, you are calling the bike a her, but naming it Harlequin.....?

Marvel character Harley Quinn, Joker's girlfriend. Poison Ivy's girlfriend too ...

Hit the nail on the head there

Thanks for all the comments guys, some nice piccies too.
I think I would like some flat bars on it and a solo seat too. Add I think I'll get rid of some of the excess pegs and those funny bars at the back that don't seem to do anything.
Maybe some short shot exhausts too but I'm saving up for a wedding so anything expensive will have to wait unless I can sell the part off the bike first to pay for it!

I got to admire it again today, I'm looking forward to some lessons, I'm going to save up for a block course and take it really steady on the bike once the licence is under my belt.

[dungbug]

I fitted straight bars onto my old GN125......Found that it cornered a little easier than when it had the 'Peter Fonda' bars on



I have one of those 'funny bars' on my bike




Are you planinng on doing your license training soonish? Might be an idea to do the theory test and get it out of the way, once you pass it's valid for 2 years but you need to have done it before going for the tests so best to get it done and dusted. You won't regret it, I wanted to have a bike from an early age but the folks were always against it. Been riding for nearly 5 years now (mostly commuting) & loving it, wish I'd got my license sooner.

[7M.elody]

Thanks for the tip I'll get on to that sharpish. I'm not sure when I'll be doing my tests as I have to save up first Nice bike

[dungbug]

There's some mock bike theory tests here;

www.nidirect.gov.uk/take-an-official-motorbike-practice-theory-test

I used these whilst revising/waiting to do my theory, good luck

[eskimogod]

ditto to doing your theory first to get it out the way and secondly cant help noticing your in chesterfield get yourself to compass in clay cross great place to get your licence done ask me how i know..

[sciclone]

Jun 27, 2015 19:42:05 GMT madmog said:

Jun 27, 2015 6:05:57 GMT grizz said:

Congrats!!!

I have one issue though, you are calling the bike a her, but naming it Harlequin.....?

Marvel character Harley Quinn, Joker's girlfriend. Poison Ivy's girlfriend too ...

Shouldn't it be DC Character Harley Quinn? I'm not a comic book nerd, but even I know that Joker/Poison Ivy/Batman are DC.

[madmog]

Jul 2, 2015 5:26:02 GMT sciclone said:

Jun 27, 2015 19:42:05 GMT madmog said:

Marvel character Harley Quinn, Joker's girlfriend. Poison Ivy's girlfriend too ...

Shouldn't it be DC Character Harley Quinn? I'm not a comic book nerd, but even I know that Joker/Poison Ivy/Batman are DC.

Up until about 5 minutes ago, I thought they were the same thing:)

[7M.elody]

Hehe, I'm definately no comic book guru, my OH phil actually suggested it would be a good name for a hog (before i got this one) and I decided that if I got a matte black one it would be a he and called Pumba and if it was a shiney colour it would be a she and called Harliquin! Btw i know I spelt it wrong but I figure you can spell names however you want

[7M.elody]

Jun 29, 2015 0:24:00 GMT eskimogod said:

ditto to doing your theory first to get it out the way and secondly cant help noticing your in chesterfield get yourself to compass in clay cross great place to get your licence done ask me how i know..

I was looking at going to compass, I'm about 10 minutes away. Are you in chesterfield too?

[oldntired]

Nice looker, here's my one. It's a 91 model Heritage. I bought it in Feb 92. I still love it to bits. Still puts a smile on my face & still takes hours to clean properly. I've been around with her too. Bought from ( now defunct ) Heritage Harley, in Southend. Been round Europe, sunny () Scottish tours, took it to the 100th party in Millwaukee, & now she's keeping me company here, on the lovely quiet rural Queensland roads around home ( when your not dodging the 6ft Roos , at dusk !!) .

[7M.elody]

That's a great looking bike. I can't wait to get cruising

[7M.elody]

I got her home last week Indoors under lock and key though. I don't want the chrome ruining outside over winter!
It's a great opportunity to tinker. I've put the luggage bars, sissy bar and seat on fleebay!
I'm currently perusing solo seats to replace it, so far my favorite is this one;



I also got me a pair of leather Harley gloves for my birthday and with the money that I got, I could get a jacket too here's me as geared up as I can be so far



Getting slowly closer, yay

[dungbug]

Ready for the road then