1497 YD - Harley Davidson 883 Sportster XLB – 1966

When introduced in 1952, the Model K was as radical a machine for Harley-Davidson such as the Knucklehead had been in 1936, and the company presented it as a fully modern motorcycle. With full suspension front and rear, a unit-construction engine, modest weight, foot shift/hand controls and clean styling, the K was clearly intended to address foreign competition in the U.S. market.
Unfortunately the K’s sales figures had not grown as expected in the face of the competition of imported British motorcycles.
So halfway down the fifties it was decided to develop a new model that would be better suited to compete with the dreaded British imports.
The “Sportster” arrived on the market in the autumn of 1956, featuring a newly-designed 883cc OHV engine that was good for a top speed of 160km.
This engine was fitted to the rolling chassis that was developed of that of the K.
The machine’s weight of 225 kg was quite moderate for a Harley.
The “lean and mean” Sportster became an iconic HD and was improved and updated year by year.
The 1966 engine delivered some 55hp@ 6800rpm, good for 175km top speed.

Collection & text courtesy of: Yesterdays NL