| Author | Message | ||
     Andros |
Also, I bet this thing will have a higher top speed, better reliability, corner better and lower weight than any souped up Sportster to be honest. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
"Also, I bet this thing will have a higher top speed, better reliability, corner better and lower weight than any souped up Sportster to be honest." You can achieve that with a stock Suzuki SV650. Sportsters are crap. Yeah I said it. Have fun with your build. | ||
| Stealthbobber |
"Sportsters are crap. Yeah I said it." I'm sorry what? The sportster is the most versatile motorcycle ever made. It can be a chopper, bobber, cafe racer, tracker, scrambler, and it's engine has been used in the most awesome sport bikes ever made. The xr750 is the most successful race bike in history. The current sportsters are an awesome blend of agility and comfort that is pretty much perfect for every day real road use. I'm sorry if you don't like the style of the bike but you CANNOT deny the history and versatility of the sportster. Are there plenty of better performing motorcycles out there? Absolutely. But it's not always about that. Why do you think we all ride Buells. Btw Ducatis are complete overpriced crap. Yeah I said it. | ||
| Redbat |
Anders, nice analogy. I too like unusual motorcycles and can appreciate what you are building here. The "curves and straight lines" works for me. Keep at it. | ||
| Jgarner99 |
>>>The sportster is the most versatile motorcycle ever made. Answer: Hah! Hah, hah, hah, hah! Ow, wow, that's a good one! (Chuckle.) >>>It can be a chopper, bobber, cafe racer, tracker, scrambler... Answer: Yeah, but it's only good at the first two, because choppers and bobbers don't have to handle, stop, turn or do anything else other than have "the look" (of the month). >>>...and it's engine has been used in the most awesome sport bikes ever made. The xr750 is the most successful race bike in history. Answer: Sorry, dude, the Sportster is not an XR750. The two may look similar, but there's no shared parts, or even technology, and the performance difference is vast. Neither is the XR750 "the most successful race bike in history." Dominating one series (AMA dirt track), largely by intimidating other manufacturers out of the series, does not a "awesome sport bike" make. Bikes that have won more races and more titles in more series include Yamaha's TD/TZ 250 series, Aprilia's RS250, Honda's RS125, the GSX-R750 and a slew of Japanese 600s. BTW, I rode one Sportster or another for over 20 years, so I understand their charm. But don't confuse them with bikes that can handle, stop or turn. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Just a few months ago I ported a set of heads for our race Sportster. It's a low, pink Sportster that makes about 130 HP, carburetted and on race gas. It hit 160mph at Bonneville with NO fairing. Don't knock the Sporty's motor, it's the best thing Harley makes... Z | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
yeah, but can you DD it? The 1125 makes more then that stock, u are maxxing the sporty motor. | ||
| Stealthbobber |
Answer: Yeah, but it's only good at the first two, because choppers and bobbers don't have to handle, stop, turn or do anything else other than have "the look" (of the month). Absolutely 100% wrong. A real bobber is stripped down and lightweight and designed to handle better than stock format. Sportster can also make fantastic cafe racers, which as you know are basically old school super sports. With good suspension they make great scramblers and trackers, as well as hillclimbers. I'm sorry dude but you need to go shove a piece of rusty rebar up where the sun don't shine. I absolutely can't stand sportster hate, like it literally sets me off, and we seem to get it from other harley riders calling them "half a harley" or a "skirtster". And then sport bikers don't care for them because they don't turn out ridiculous numbers on a dyno. I love the hell out of my sportster, far more than my 1125r even. Not everything is a race, chicks dig my rockabilly bobber, and it will run forever. Clearly you've never heard of adjustable ohlins suspension, dual front disc kits, or repositioned foot controls | ||
| Jgarner99 |
Don't accuse me of Sportster hate. Like I said, I spent over 20 years riding Sportsters. My point remains the same: A Sportster is not a sportbike. Sure, it makes a fair all-around street bike, but if all you can talk about is straight-line acceleration, then you are only revealing how little you know about sport-riding. On the other hand, if you honestly believe sportbike riders only care about "ridiculous" dyno numbers, you are once again under-informed. Real handling, stopping and turning comes from the kind of technology Erik Buell utilizes: Proper chassis rigidity and geometry, mass centralization, lightweight wheels, proper wheel sizing and well-calibrated suspension. By the way, here are some pictures of my last Sportster. Under 500 pounds, over 100 rear-wheel horsepower, over $4000 worth of suspension and brakes, and all built by me. (And yet, any Buell would still put it to shame.) God bless Erik Buell for all he managed to do with the XL motor (including the best updating it ever saw), but he's far better off now, no longer hobbled by an antiquated mill.   | ||
| Duphuckincati |
Hey Stealth, out of curiosity what other motorcycles have you had a chance to ride? And maybe leave the violence out of these post. You may think about calming down and not get so butt-hurt over riding a Sportster. For your own peace of mind. Or get a sex change so your Sportster will fit your life better. Ha ha, relax, just kidding! Smoke a bowl and it'll be funnier. Mr. 99, nice build there. (Message edited by duphuckincati on October 21, 2012) | ||
| Jgarner99 |
Like I said, don't accuse me of Sportster hate. I can say caustic (and usually accurate) things about most every brand of motorcycle. You see, after 300,000+ miles of riding -- on 6 Harleys, 3 Ducatis, 3 Guzzis, several vertical twins, a CBX six-banger, several 2-stroke twins and triples, a KTM Duke, a Triumph Sprint and numerous inline-fours -- I have finally found satisfaction with the 1125R. It's not perfect (nothing in this world is), but props to Erik Buell for having the vision, gumption and fortitude to mass-produce a bike that does so many things so well. | ||
| Tom_b |
I think your full of BS Jgarner99.. anyone who spends the time and money on a bike like that one you showed would not bag on that brand. I CALL BULLSHIT. i do not see 4k worth of suspension upgrades on that bike posted. (Message edited by tom b on October 21, 2012) | ||
| Andros |
Come on stop the hating. All bikes are cool in their own respect. Nuff said. | ||
| Redbat |
I thought this was the thread about a custom 1125. Lets all take a deep breath boys and girls and let Andros continue sharing progress on "blasphemy in the making". | ||
| Stealthbobber |
I'm kinda not seeing $4,000 in suspension either, especially since the forks are stock forks... Anyways as a bobber lover I can't wait to see the completed build. Good luck Andros! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
A Sportster IS a sport bike. For 1950. | ||
| Jgarner99 |
Unbelievable... Okay, yeah, obviously I am full of BS. I never could have built that bike; I'm a liar and I couldn't have made a simple mistake like, oh, forgetting to add the word "wheels" to my $4000 tally. I also am undoubtedly full of BS about riding almost every day for over 40 years, winning a bunch of races in my salad days, or working in the motorcycle industry for over a dozen years. Nor, apparently, can I have an honest (including negatives) evaluation of a charming, yet antiquated, motorcycle. And I guess I can't have admiration for the man who did more with that outdated design than anyone else, on the website supposedly dedicated to his brand.... No, all you haters are right. I keep repeating the same thing -- that the Sportster is not a sportbike. And that conversely, the Buell is. And I offer exact descriptions of how they differ (i.e., not just in dyno numbers or individual parts and pieces, but in overall design and execution). Plus, I try to show that I have some experience to back up my opinions. But no, rather than consider my opinion, it's easier to just reject me, personally, and insult me. Oh, and by the way, those "stock forks" had the best innards Race Tech could provide and were anodized inside and out. The Akront wheels were also anodized, as were the custom aluminum hubs. And the roadrace-spec WP shocks alone, at the time, cost almost $900. And did you notice the full-floating rear disc? Anyway, all totaled, the wheels, suspension and brakes set me back a bit over $4000. And that was before I put in the oversize valves, ported heads, V8 cams, titanium pushrods, flycut pistons, oil scraper, hi-flow oil pump, single-fire ignition, flatslide carb, etc., etc. But even with all that, it still wasn't a sportbike. It's just not in the Sportster's DNA. | ||
| Stealthbobber |
The word SPORT is in the title. It may not follow today's standard of sport bike, but it's original intended purpose was to be a sport bike, and it was one of the best for decades. Sorry lad but you're wrong. Nobody asked for your autobiography either. I must have forgotten to mention my dad is a fighter pilot astronaut sniper, and valentino rossi personally taught me how to ride. Just because you've ridden more than me doesn't make your opinions "right" | ||
| Duphuckincati |
Well since I'm the one who got you all upset to start with I'll just suggest you get a ride on some other torquey 800 to 1000 cc twins like a 40 year old Norton or any of the Ducati Monsters over 750 cc and then get back on a Sportster and see how "sporty" it feels. Mr. 99, again, nice build. My apologies to the OP of this thread, I dig your project and more power to you. I'll sign off now. Peace. | ||
| Stealthbobber |
"Well since I'm the one who got you all upset to start with I'll just suggest you get a ride on some other torquey 800 to 1000 cc twins like a 40 year old Norton or any of the Ducati Monsters over 750 cc and then get back on a Sportster and see how "sporty" it feels." Riiight. So then why didn't Buell use an engine like one of those other twins instead of a Harley engine? Sure funding was a big one but still, it was American and had potential. I would love to have a triumph or norton, or a Moto Guzzi (I'll never waste my money on an overpriced Ducati) but I don't have the money to buy 20 different kinds of bikes. I've ridden my fair share of different motorcycles and quite honestly the sportster is my favorite. It's all the power you need for public roads, can corner well, and the aftermarket potential is...insane. | ||
| Jgarner99 |
Mr Stealthbobber, Sorry about my autobiography. I was giving you a chance to admit that maybe you shot your mouth off, and perhaps say "peace, bro." But instead, you've only proven what a genuine ass you really are. Cool that your dad was a fighter pilot astronaut sniper. Too bad he lost his nuts in the war and it was the milkman who had to impregnate your mother. | ||
| Jgarner99 |
Redbat -- I'm willing to take a deep breath. In fact, I'm willing to drop the whole subject of Sportsters (after all this is a BUELL post). Nonetheless, I think I am owed an apology. Ft bstrd -- Nail. On. The. Head. Duphuckincati -- See what you got me into? : ) Thanks for the nice words about my old Sporty, though. (BTW, building it was ten-year love affair.) Stealthbobber -- I never said you had to agree with me, but until you back off the attitude and quite throwing around comments like "shove a piece of rusty rebar," I will stand by my contention that you are an ass. Andros -- It's all your fault! Look what you've started! Peace, everybody... No shit. | ||
| Redbat |
Anders, hope you're making progress on the Buell. | ||
| Stealthbobber |
"Too bad he lost his nuts in the war and it was the milkman who had to impregnate your mother." Actually he was in the Marines for 21 years, just as I will be after February next year. The awesome part about what you said is that he was a milkman for like 15 years as well, and clearly he didn't lose his nuts in Iraq. | ||
| Dannybuell |
@Stealthbobber Wow! 21 years in the Marines! How many Middle East tours? (Message edited by dannybuell on October 22, 2012) | ||
| Redbat |
Anders, I hope you decide to keep us updated on your progress with the 1125 bobber, but if you decide not to do so, I wouldn't blame you. Maybe you can start a new thread. | ||
| Andros |
Hehe all good. I kinda expected this to happen hence the title of the thread. Both the Sportster and 1125 are icons in their own ways so crossbreeding i expected some harsh opinions. I love most of the aesthetic of the sportster and love the aggressiveness of the 1125's engine and low weight which in my sick mind is a marriage made in heaven. Ill keep you posted. Waiting to get the shortened shock back so meanwhile im a building our new mini cnc mill so i can fabricate all the missing new parts to make it all fit together. | ||
| Stealthbobber |
"@Stealthbobber Wow! 21 years in the Marines! How many Middle East tours?" Just 1, he was a combat augmentee in 2003 when we first went into Iraq, then he retired in 2005. @ Andros my sincerest apologies for hijacking your thread and escalating things. I'm a diehard sportster and buell fan and you're melding my two favorite things together. | ||
| Jgarner99 |
Andros -- I too apologize for hijacking your thread. It's not what I'd do, but it's your bike, so good luck with your build. Stealthbobber -- Thanks to you and your dad for your service. I did my 3 years in the Army, and though my dad was 4-F, my mom made up for it by being a naval gunnery instructor (.50 M-2) during World War Two. Pretty macho for the day.... I understand you are a big Sportster fan. I like Sportsters too, I just don't agree that they're sportbikes. So I hope we can agree to disagree. Speaking for myself, I am in awe of Erik Buell, and all that he's done and continues to do. I hope the future is bright for EBR. | ||
| Stealthbobber |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ofoAggEFtM&feature =plcp I figured you guys would get a kick out of this lol, went for a ride with my buddy today and showed him some of my off roading madness on my sportster |
