I love that you both have Sportsters, and that you do your own oil and filter changes. I started ridng off road at 8, and I'm now 61. I've owned two Sportsters, and, as far as I'm concerned, the Sportster is their best motorcycle. You may already know this, but the XL used a "dry sump" engine, meaning that the bulk of the oil is stored in an oil tank, and only a small amount stays in the "sump" (crankcase). So, you always want to check your oil level after having run the engine for a while. That's because, after leaving the bike sit for, say, a few days or longer, sometimes some of the oil from the oil tank, bleeds down into the sump. When that happens, if you check your oil without running the engine for a while, the dipstick will read low. People have added oil then, to top it off and bring the level to the high mark. Then, when the start the engine, it will pump the excess oil that bled into the sump, and pupm that oil back into the oil tank, which the owner had just topped off. Result? The oil has to go somewhere, and it can blow the dipstick right out of the oil tank and blow that excess oil all over your bike. I rode my 2006 XL883 year round in the Seattle/Tacoma area of Washington State. WE moved to the big island of Hawaii in 2011, and I ride year round here too. I'm with you! I'd rather ride my bike than polish the chrome!! Enjoy the bike, and ride safe. Jon in Keaau, Hawaii
That was very helpful I was trying to find a video of that year sportster to see where the drain plug was and you just help me find that it's a hose attached to the frame with a hose clamp thank you so much great video
I've read (Chilton manual) that you ought to open the hose again slightly after the new oil is in to let any air bubble out of there to prevent it cavitating the oil pump. Maybe it's overkill, but I do it anyway. (2000 Sportster 1200S, an orange one!)
I just saw at the end of the video... your husband has a Sportster too?? Loved his comment at the end about you being a jerk...lol bailing on him like you did :)
I know someone selling a 1999 Sportster 1200, the bike is a tad taller due to the seat (which I'm going to change). The air cleaner filter is also pretty damn big on it which makes using the rear brake slightly uncomfortable with my shorter legs (pushing my knee out and twisting my foot in is the best way for me atm. Any suggestions as far as finding smaller ones (brands, etc)? Or am I better off finding aftermarket foot brake levers that are wider?
I'm thinking of buying a 2000 sportster 1200 as my first bike. Any advice you can give me on what to look out for on these bikes? And is 3000 a good price for the bike?
They are a great first bike! I had mine for about 5 years before I upgraded to a bigger bike. (I ride a fatbob now). $3000 is reasonable. I know when I traded my Sportster in they gave me $2000 and I saw it on the floor for sale for $4000. Sometimes you can find excellent deals at the end of the riding season. Private sales just want to get rid of it so they don't have to deal with storing it and dealers need to move old inventory. My advice look around and be sure to give it a good test ride. Good luck!
I bought my sportster for a old Dodge Ram 1500 traded right across and all I do is wheelie it only reason I bought one but it’s time to upgrade to a road glide and set it up to wheelie
Yes the oil should be changed before storage and add a stabilizer to the gas (fill tank up completely with gas). Make sure to turn the petcock to "off" and run the engine till it shuts off to get the fuel out of the carb. if you are fuel injected it will get the stabilizer into the injectors. Probably be a good idea to disconnect the battery too since you will be leaving it for so long. We put ours on tenders over the winter.
cmedeiros17 what about the lift? Did you see any damage in tires? Also did you spray any motoroil by taking sparkplugs out and spraying oil in the engine? and your engine is really rusted or am I seeing wrong? I have sportster 2000 too but mine has a buell engine inside
Nice, liked the plastic with the filter.
I love that you both have Sportsters, and that you do your own oil and filter changes. I started ridng off road at 8, and I'm now 61. I've owned two Sportsters, and, as far as I'm concerned, the Sportster is their best motorcycle. You may already know this, but the XL used a "dry sump" engine, meaning that the bulk of the oil is stored in an oil tank, and only a small amount stays in the "sump" (crankcase). So, you always want to check your oil level after having run the engine for a while. That's because, after leaving the bike sit for, say, a few days or longer, sometimes some of the oil from the oil tank, bleeds down into the sump. When that happens, if you check your oil without running the engine for a while, the dipstick will read low. People have added oil then, to top it off and bring the level to the high mark. Then, when the start the engine, it will pump the excess oil that bled into the sump, and pupm that oil back into the oil tank, which the owner had just topped off. Result? The oil has to go somewhere, and it can blow the dipstick right out of the oil tank and blow that excess oil all over your bike.
I rode my 2006 XL883 year round in the Seattle/Tacoma area of Washington State. WE moved to the big island of Hawaii in 2011, and I ride year round here too. I'm with you! I'd rather ride my bike than polish the chrome!!
Enjoy the bike, and ride safe.
Jon in Keaau, Hawaii
Thank you Jon!!!
That was very helpful I was trying to find a video of that year sportster to see where the drain plug was and you just help me find that it's a hose attached to the frame with a hose clamp thank you so much great video
Same here. Thanks!
You can bet your ass i've been back every season since sporty ownership watching this same dang video!
I've read (Chilton manual) that you ought to open the hose again slightly after the new oil is in to let any air bubble out of there to prevent it cavitating the oil pump. Maybe it's overkill, but I do it anyway. (2000 Sportster 1200S, an orange one!)
Nice clip :)
I just saw at the end of the video... your husband has a Sportster too?? Loved his comment at the end about you being a jerk...lol bailing on him like you did :)
Thanks Michael. Yes we both have Sportsters. I ride much more often than my husband though! (Rain or shine) and I steal his bike sometimes too.
I know someone selling a 1999 Sportster 1200, the bike is a tad taller due to the seat (which I'm going to change). The air cleaner filter is also pretty damn big on it which makes using the rear brake slightly uncomfortable with my shorter legs (pushing my knee out and twisting my foot in is the best way for me atm. Any suggestions as far as finding smaller ones (brands, etc)? Or am I better off finding aftermarket foot brake levers that are wider?
Hey....sorry I don't really have any advice for you. I have long legs :) Maybe try to find a smaller air filter???
I'm thinking of buying a 2000 sportster 1200 as my first bike. Any advice you can give me on what to look out for on these bikes? And is 3000 a good price for the bike?
They are a great first bike! I had mine for about 5 years before I upgraded to a bigger bike. (I ride a fatbob now). $3000 is reasonable. I know when I traded my Sportster in they gave me $2000 and I saw it on the floor for sale for $4000. Sometimes you can find excellent deals at the end of the riding season. Private sales just want to get rid of it so they don't have to deal with storing it and dealers need to move old inventory. My advice look around and be sure to give it a good test ride. Good luck!
I bought my sportster for a old Dodge Ram 1500 traded right across and all I do is wheelie it only reason I bought one but it’s time to upgrade to a road glide and set it up to wheelie
Hey there.... question what is the oil drip pan your using and where did you get it???
Nice video.... :)
Thanks Mike
I will have to ask my husband.....I don't remember where we got it.
dont you have to change the oil before you store the bike? I have dillema now, going to Thailand and leaving my bike for 1 year
Yes the oil should be changed before storage and add a stabilizer to the gas (fill tank up completely with gas). Make sure to turn the petcock to "off" and run the engine till it shuts off to get the fuel out of the carb. if you are fuel injected it will get the stabilizer into the injectors. Probably be a good idea to disconnect the battery too since you will be leaving it for so long. We put ours on tenders over the winter.
cmedeiros17 what about the lift? Did you see any damage in tires? Also did you spray any motoroil by taking sparkplugs out and spraying oil in the engine? and your engine is really rusted or am I seeing wrong? I have sportster 2000 too but mine has a buell engine inside
What lift are you talking about?
bike lift honey, you never heard about it?
The bike is on the ground not on s lift. What lift would damage tires? Your questions are unclear.
Twenty watt 50 oil... lol
Haha what a jerk but I love her 😂😂 awesome couple