Significant Changes By Model Year
- 1957 "Ironhead" overhead-valve engine introduced.
- 1972 "Ironhead" 1,000 cc overhead-valve engine replaces 900 cc.
- 1975 Switched to left-side gear change (DOT mandate)
- 1978 Only year (H8) of the sportster that Harley produces with dual exhaust as opposed to staggered exhaust.
- 1985 Last year for the "Ironhead" overhead-valve engine.
- 1986 "Evolution" engine introduced in 883 cc and 1,100 cc sizes.
- 1988 1200 cc engine replaces 1,100 cc engine.
- 1988 Constant velocity carburetor replaces butterfly carburetor.
- 1991 Five-speed transmission replaces four-speed.
- 1991 Belt drive replaces chain drive on 883 Deluxe and all 1200 models.
- 1993 Belt drive made standard on all Sportsters.
- 1994 Improved oil tank, battery tray, and clutch made standard.
- 1994 New electrical system with sealed connectors.
- 1995 Speedometer is now electronic, not mechanical.
- 1998 XL1200S gets dual spark plug heads and high performance cams
- 1996 XL1200C Custom model introduced.
- 2000 Introduced sealed wheel bearings and updated four-piston brake calipers.
- 2003 Last year for the frame mounted Evolution engine.
- 2004 All-new frame including rubber-mounted engine for decreased vibration. Elimination of the transmission trap door, New shape hamcan, Exhaust balance pipe moved from running under the air filter and disguised and hidden behind the silencers to show more of engine, new smoother style oil tank right side panel with push and turn filler/dipstick, and the previously exposed battery is now enclosed in a matching side panel on the left
- 2005 Enlarged rear axle to 1-inch (25 mm) for increased stability.
- 2006 New XR1200 is announced at Intermot in Cologne, Germany. The XR1200 is the first Harley-Davidson to utilize Down Draft DDFI II fuel injection. To be released as a late 2006 model.
- 2007 Fuel injection replaces carburetion on all models.
- 2009 "One size fits all" front mudguard approach replaced by improved mudguard contour to match each model's respective wheel diameters.
- 2010 The ECU is relocated to allow more variation in aftermarket seat selection
- 2010 Side-mounted license plate option on some models
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