There has been some debate over whether you can ride a Sportster in the dirt, usually from riders who ride something else, but some owners just ignore the naysayers and build their own version of off road happiness and this 1999 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Scrambler seems to be a perfect example.
Although the owner of this special doesn’t list the components used, it appears he has a Race Tech front suspension and Ohlins out back. The ride height has obviously been increased for greater ground clearance, necessary for the outback and the tires are a semi aggressive tread suitable for on or off road duty.
Jim Saracino says
I absolutely love this bike. I keep looking at it. I would really like to talk to the fellow who built it or owns it.
It’s a beauty!
Gregg says
I see quite a few bikes like this, Built on OE chassis with not a lot of fabrication, and a lot of bolt on parts. This bike has a little bit of fab (foot controls).The factory belt looks out of place. Still has some ground clearance and nice peg to bar to seat relationship. OE hand controls don’t look cool. Like most of these “scrambler-style” bikes, it ends up looking more like a street-tracker. I am building one that, I think is a level or two beyond this one, and even bikes like the Shaw H-D bikes, which still have oe oil tank, batt box, wire harness, they never even tear it down. I’m sure it’s profitable because they can build 10 of them in the time it takes me to do one. Mine has full fab fenders, seat tank, oil bag, batt box, rear sub-frame, frame covers, eccentric axle adjusters, Morris Mags from Harley XLCR with Metzeler Karoo tires, hand fabbed number plates, chain drive, fabbed skid plate, Girling dirt track rear brake, 88 in Axtell Mountain Motor. On a 86-90 chain-drive chassis.
James says
Hey Greg, how did your build go? I’d like to hear / see more about it.
Ryan says
Agree w/Gregg. Priced to high. Just buy Triumph or other factory scrambler bike at a much better value.