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Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 18 Jun 2002
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harley sportster as a duel-purpose bike
stop laughing folks---and consider this---way back in the late 1950's, sportsters were actually used as dirt bikes. Now raise the suspension a few inches, add off road tyres and you have another duel-purpose bike. engines air cooled, gobs of low end torque, weight about 500lbs---less than BMW, parts available everywhere except 3rd world easy to work on, simple electronics reliable chassis, will accept heavy loads. think about it---it will make sense.
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  #2  
Old 18 Jun 2002
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Back in the 30's and 40's all bikes were duel-purpose. But then there were not as many paved roads.
"Then came Bronson" TV show (1964-1965)? amend 1969
He rode his his Sporster all over the US.
On the road, hare and hounds, motocross.
The only safety gear he had was a jacket and a black wool watch-cap.

[This message has been edited by John Ferris (edited 18 June 2002).]
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  #3  
Old 19 Jun 2002
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Sure , if you want , why not .
Can you get the tyres you need in the wheel sizes you have ?

And will the motor have thermal problems ? Some times , you will be travelling very slowly over long distances and this gives some bikes danger of overheating .
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  #4  
Old 19 Jun 2002
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See http://www.classicharley.com and look for "world tour" at the bottom of the left column. Couple half way around the world on Sportsters.

Remeber - ANYTHING can do it, just some are better than others, and it depends on what "roads" you are willing / want to ride on.

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  #5  
Old 19 Jun 2002
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thanks grant, idm
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  #6  
Old 19 Nov 2002
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The evolution 883 would do. Add a decent carb and filter and stick to roads. Any roads, tarmac or not but roads. No way will it manage terrain with the standard chassis/susoension and modifying is too much. Better strap the engine into any proper double cradle enduro-chassis.
But again a pretty much standard 883 would do. Slow but would get there.
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Old 3 Dec 2002
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Hi!
I rode a XLH 883 for 11 years, and also used it for touring (Norway - SE Turkey). I even used it one winter here in Norway. It's was great both on paved roads and gravel, and the low seat-height made it easy to handle even on snow. OffRoad-tire for the front (19") is no problem, but the drawback is the 16" rear wich have a limited tire-choice.
Parts is no problem in Europe (but was i SE Turkey in '96..)
The reason I sold the bike was that the engine broke down twice, and ruined my middle-east tour.

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Mads

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  #8  
Old 2 Mar 2008
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1986 Sportster Evolution - Argentina, assistance needed
Looking for anyone (English or Spanish language OK) in Buenos Aires, who is familiar with 1986 Harley Sportster 883, and who is QUALIFIED to provide a complete mechanical/safety check and maintenance/repair "advice."

Pleasant, safe and secure work space and absolutely no rush. I will purchase tools and source necessary parts and reimburse you for your time and effort, for specifics.

I need to learn everything about the 1986 Harley Sporster 883. This bike is set up for touring and has quite an overland history.

A CLYMER: SERVICE,REPAIR MAINTENANCE manual is available with QuickSilver Carb Instructions..... Inquire here or post private message to me. Thanks xfiltrate
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  #9  
Old 2 Mar 2008
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Harley...
I once saw an Electra-glide, two-up manage 45 km of sandy gravel-filled, ruttage that had my 1150 GS struggling!

Tell a lie, the GS was fine: I was the one struggling!!

Anyway, I can believe that you'd manage, but it would be a big compromise, given some of the options readily available out there!!

On a technical note that I know little about, would the steering angle of the front forks not be prohibitive (the rake or trail: can never remember which).

Off-roaders tend to have a pretty acute angle from the vertical, where as harleys tend to stick the front wheel well and truly out there, no?
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  #10  
Old 2 Mar 2008
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Talking
I thought all Harleys were dual-purpose - you can load them into a truck or take them out of a truck....

Hell you could even put TKC 80's on a big 1150GS and say that it's the ultimate adventure bike, oops, someone already has!
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  #11  
Old 2 Mar 2008
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They are fine cruising along a paved road. The low seat height makes them -much- more manageable off road than many so called off road bikes. The only down side is they seem to have a high first gear which might make walking pace riding, hard on the clutch. Maybe fuel range might have to be addressed. ( Installing a Punsun V twin diesel engine would fix this )
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  #12  
Old 3 Mar 2008
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Sure it can be done
I just gotta jump in on this one.

It wouldn't be my first choice, but this guy did it.

Harley Sportster at A Day In The Dirt - Harley Sportster at A Day In The Dirt - Motocross Videos | Vital MX
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  #13  
Old 5 Apr 2011
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go for it
sure mate go for it!!! dont listen to all the posers on their falsh BM,s the first bike i know of that went around the world was a 1928 J model HD another bloke road his hog after his leg was blown off in SA and HD gave him a sporty which he then rode through russia in winter, and you know he had the pick of all HD models and he choose a sporty! had one my self and yea i reckon no probs bro go for it, ive had the same thought so let me know if you do, keep the rubber on the road bro
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Old 5 Apr 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by auwombat View Post
sure mate go for it!!! dont listen to all the posers on their falsh BM,s the first bike i know of that went around the world was a 1928 J model HD another bloke road his hog after his leg was blown off in SA and HD gave him a sporty which he then rode through russia in winter, and you know he had the pick of all HD models and he choose a sporty! had one my self and yea i reckon no probs bro go for it, ive had the same thought so let me know if you do, keep the rubber on the road bro
I think you'll find this thread is at least 2 years old if you check the dates...
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