One Way Machine’s lightly scrambled Sportster
Julian von Oheimb is one of our favorite custom Harley builders. There’s a low-key elegance about his work at One Way Machine,…
Read more »Harley-Davidson Sportster
The Harley-Davidson Sportster was introduced in 1957 to compete against the best-selling British bikes that were invading the United States market. The 2021 Sportster S is the third major design in the series, and belatedly drags the Sporty into the 21st century.
The Harley-Davidson Sportster’s original 40 hp Ironhead V-twin engine gave a top speed of approximately 100 mph and stayed in production until 1985, when it was replaced with the 1986 Evolution motor.
There is a vast market for spare Sportster parts and accessories, and many owners transform their bikes into something else—whether a chopper, cafe racer, or scrambler.
In our extensive coverage of Sportster customs, you’ll find bikes that are tuned up (and dressed up) by the world’s top custom Harley builders. Dig in, and get inspiration right here for customizing your own Harley-Davidson Sportster.
This vintage ‘1957 Sportster’ is actually a brand new bike
Last year, the Harley-Davidson Sportster turned 60. It’s an extraordinary milestone, with only the Royal Enfield Bullet having a longer unbroken model…
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Turning Granddad’s Harley into a Champion Flat Tracker
Some people find it hard to hold onto a bike for more than a couple of years. It doesn’t take long before…
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Dutch Master: Pancake’s simple, sublime Sportster XLS
Harley-Davidson’s new Softail range has set the interwebs alight, which has us thinking: isn’t it about time the Sportster got refreshed too?…
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Period Incorrect: A Harley Sportster XLCH beach racer
One of the greatest spectacles in motorcycling is The Race Of Gentlemen, held every summer on the Jersey shore. It’s a recreation…
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Kuzuri: A Harley XL1200 Sportster custom from Thrive
If there’s a rising force in the modern custom world, it’s Indonesia. It’s no longer surprising to see a world-class middleweight café…
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Subtle Deception: A Harley Sportster bobber from 2LOUD
Old bikes are unquestionably cool. But if you buy one, you’re on the fast track to becoming a self-made mechanic, specializing in…
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Custom Bikes Of The Week: 16 July, 2017
A trio of Harley Sportster desert sleds from Spain, an immaculate BMW R80 from Australia, and a Benelli cafe racer from Italy.…
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Brooklyn Brawler: An 883 Sportster with a double life
The mighty Harley-Davidson Sportster turns a whopping 60 this year. Since 1957 it’s been modified in every imaginable way—long before the ‘custom…
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This hardtail Sportster terrorizes the streets of Carefree, Arizona
There’s more than one way to skin a cat; or, in moto terms, there’s more than one way to customize a Sportster.…
Read more »Battle of the Kings: The Sportster Edition
It’s become commonplace for manufacturers to regularly commission custom work from top builders. But Harley-Davidson Europe have taken a different approach. For…
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Fresh: The Bel Air 1200 Framer by Deus
It’s usually a long time between builds from Deus’ L.A. workshop supremo Michael Woolaway—but they’re always worth the wait. Like this seriously…
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