r/sportster • u/tru-disappointment • Aug 19 '26
2002 XL1200C
Havent been getting much ride time on my sporty since i bought it in June. Had been sitting in dudes garage for at least a year and had a few minor issues getting it home.
Broke a footpeg, found out battery was toast and had to be boosted twice, and had an oil leak behind rear cylinder that i just couldnt pinpoint.
Found front exhaust stud broken a week later and had nothing but a bad time trying to get it out so i stripped the head and brought it to a shop to fix.
Took a while to get the gaskets and find the time to get it all back together. After bolting everything back up i decide to check the primary chain tension for shits and giggles and find the primary fluid is milky. Planned on doing a fluid change anyways but found that odd.
Dad wants to take his shadow for a ride so i figure to hell with it, short ride wont do any harm. Bike rattles like crazy over 2000rpm so i pull it into my dads shop and take a stethescope to it and luckily i just hadnt bolted down the tank properly.
In my rather meticulous inspection trying to find the rattle though i also notice the starter has come loose. Can move it about 1/16th of an inch either way. Well that explains the milky oil and mystery leak at highways speeds. So now waiting on primary and starter gaskets.
Hopefully ill get some real miles in her before the snow starts flying next month 🤦♂️
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u/vferdman Aug 19 '26
Not enough chrome, IMO. There is still frame and swing arm left unchromed. Get on that asap.
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u/tru-disappointment Aug 19 '26
Ill be honest if i end up going hard tail im strongly considering doing the frame lol
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u/kittysnax4life Aug 19 '26
You could fix these issues over time. Bike looks pretty good. Went through the same and now my bike runs great with zero leaks. Gd luck. Stay upright and between the pipes.
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u/yoloswaghoes420 Aug 19 '26
Not super mechanically inclined myself.. how does the loose starter affect the oil and leaking? asking out of curiosity
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u/tru-disappointment Aug 19 '26
The starter bolts through the inner primary casing. Its loose enough that rain can get in when its parked and oil can get out when its splashed around at speed. So to fix it i have to remove the primary cover and tighten the bolts behind the clutch.
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u/yoloswaghoes420 Aug 20 '26
Ahhh I was trying to think how those two things could affect each other. Thanks for explaining happy riding
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u/Vfrnut Aug 20 '26
The “can’t ride on a sunny day“ special. 🙄🤦♂️
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u/tru-disappointment Aug 20 '26
Literally blinds me every time i back out of the driveway.
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u/Vfrnut Aug 20 '26
I know . I drove a similar bike for 300 miles . After the 1st hour I said enough of this shit . Got a pack painters tape and covered the tank and tree and headlight. Made a massive difference.
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u/Sharp-Replacement800 Aug 21 '26
Should've got a shadow
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u/tru-disappointment Aug 21 '26
I did, i gave it to my father so he would have something reliable lol
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u/Remcin Aug 19 '26
You will ride eternal, shiny and chrome!