First, let me say that the motorcycle books published by Wolfgang Publications are always much better than their covers, usually quite poor in design and photography. Why? This being said, the Sportster big customizing wave will probably make this book a must read for all those who intend to go way beyond the Harley factory customization and performance options using only MoCo bolt-on parts.
As an intro to “Sportster Hop-Up And Customization Guide“, author Todd Zallaps (a die-hard Sportster nut) tells you about the Sportster success story lasting since its introduction in 1957 and guides you through the planning your customization project. Then, the book starts with a chapter on planning. What is it you want to achieve? An old-school Hardtail built from an Ironhead Sportster? The conversion of an Evo Sporty into a Cafe racer? Maybe you want to create a Tracker or XR style Sportster? No matter which theme you are pursuing, the author explains the importance of planning, and some simple ways to ensure your plan comes to fruition.
This Sportster Customization Guide presents two, start-to-finish builds, one done on an Ironhead, and one on an Evo Sportster. Both give the reader an inside look at how experienced amateurs and professional shops go about a full-blown customizing project. From the initial disassembly to the mock up, paint and reassembly, all the steps are here. Engine work and hop-ups are here as well, including the conversion of an 883 Evo to 1200cc displacement, and the installation of a Stage ll kit, complete with Dyno run, on a late model fuel injected Sportster.
So whether your own personal Sportster is old or new, your plan modest or extreme, this new book from Wolfgang Publications will move you down the path from dreams to reality. From a cookie cutter bike that looks like too many others, to something you can truly call your own, Harley-Davidson Sportster
The 8.5 x 11” softcover (ISBN:978-1-935828-95-2) features 144 pages packed with 300 color photos. This June 2014 release may be pre-ordered on Amazon or by calling CarTech at 1-800-551-4754
Wow! This would’ve been great – two Sportster conversions ago.
I’m currently without a Sportster (miss my ’01 a lot) but am busy touring with my FXDF…I’ll be ordering this book when it’s available to get and stay inspired…the younger HD rider’s don’t seem to have the weird bias against the Sportster that a certain age group does and this will help them, too, I’m sure
us smart old guys, not the posers, know that Sportsters were the hot rod of the HD line. Not those big pig’s. I’m working an old Ironhead right now……
When i brought my first Sportster way back when (1988 ish), I was told ‘its a girls bike… etc”
I replied ‘Sonny Barger rode a Sportster, as did a lot of the Angels, are you going to come with me to the Kent Custom bike show and him why he rode a girl’s bike???’
A stroked Sportster is not for the meek. ..Z
My Dad was an old guy and I still have his last motorcycle, a stock 1967 XLH. I will be passing it on to my grandson (not an old guy).
I’ve had eight of them total from a ’66 up to a current ’72 Dirt Bike Conversion and an 03 bobber. All great fun to build, head turners and quick even by todays standards. I saw a dude that put an Axtel upper and huge S&S Carb on an 883 lower and pulled a dyno run of 90 horses. Girls ride? Not hardly. Want an even badder motor, find a Buell donor bike and have at it.
I’ve had 2 Ironheads a 1972 and a 1979 the ’79 being my first street bike. I built that bike using a bunch of the tricks lined out in Mike Arman’s “V-Twin Thunder” its out of print now but I still re read that early tuners guide. That old ’79 was really quick and dusted its fair share of bikes that it “shouldn’t have”. All but really built Evo big twins stood a chance most were not even close. Now I have a old ’96 Buell S1 with Jay Riddle Stage 3 heads, Andrews N9 cams, Mikuni HSR 45, Roller top, etc etc. Any of you “That’s a girls bike” crowd wanna try, We’ll see. Thing weighs less than 450lbs and has gotta be puttin down at least 110 RWHP and close to 100 LBs O’ tq. I have it torn down for the NRHS 90 inch big bore kit ahhhallright! It’s like a psychotic dirt bike on meth…..I don’t know what kinda girls Y’all hang out with but if this is a girls bike that chick is one Bad Mutha #@*%&!