Pardon the ignorance...I just bought a 2003 883XLH. Haven't been a regular rider for 25 years, but fell in love with the bike and so I bought it. It is in pristine shape with low miles, and every anniversary accessory. I asked if it had been lowered at all and it has not, and that got me thinking. I think I understand some of the differences between the "L" and the "C" and the "R".
"C" is standard setup, "L" is lowered version, and the "R" is the racing version with fatter rear tire, etc. How does my 2003 XLH fit in these categories?

Secondly, my entire executive team rides (all Harley's w/ 1 Honda) so I expect I will be doing more touring than most Sportster owners. What recommendations would you make for making this a suitable touring bike (and don't say buy a Touring bike!) I saw an 03 XL yesterday that had hard bags, a solo touring seat, and forward controls with footboards...it looked like a mini softail. I think I'll stick with mid-controls until I get some miles under me, but do plan on putting road pegs on the engine guard. What should I do next?

Thanks for your thoughts.

just a shot in the dark, is the H the hugger model?

Welcome to the forum!

oh yea, welcome to the forum, its a great place for info, enjoy.

HD website lists four 2003 models.

XLH883
XLH883HUG hugger
XL883C
XL883R

which would seem to indicate that XLH is different than the hugger (I assumed the hugger was the 03 version of the "L" model).

Thanks for the welcome! Damn glad to be here!

So then what would an xlch be?????? HMMMM

The "C" has been said to designate either California or Competition. I really don't think the Motor Co. has clarified it.
Ted

questions????
Why not just ask a dealer?
After buying a Harley, you'll be in their store, buying things you didn't know you needed.
Have fun with the bike.

All I can tell you is that the "C" is for CUSTOM.

XLH is the basic bike. The Hugger or Low has shorter suspension and a lower seat height but less lean angle. The R and C have upgraded brakes (R) or custom features (C). XLCH was the old hot-rod (no battery, magneto etc. like mine but after 69 was just an XLH w no electric start but the same primary case w starter bulge.) H was the high perf designation, the 57 sporty was the lower compression XL. The C never meant California. Matt

I hope this link will help all of you?

http://home.ctlnet.com/~mcarroll/harleyalphabet.htm


SPORTSTERS
XLR hot stripped XL
XR-750 iron and alloy 750 racing only
XLCR road race style XLH
XR-1000 alloy XR top end and dual carbs on the XLH cases
XLT XLH with larger tank
XLX stripped XLH
XLS fancy XLH
XLH most current Sporty 883 and 1200
XL '96 1200C (Custom) and 1200S (sport) Sp



Jim:tour

Thanks...answers it exactly.
Now, any thoughts on touring additions?

Thanks...answers it exactly.
Now, any thoughts on touring additions?

You might look through the touring section to get a lot of ideas, but here's a couple anyway.

Windshield
Comfortable seat
Saddlebags (hard or soft)
Maybe a tour pack.

Very good, Matt. Dating myself, the XLCH was the 'competition' (kick-start) type and the XLH was the elec. start.
For the original post, from ehaviland, I've got the '06 1200L (Low) and put on forward controls, a H-D Sundowner seat and the H-D leather covered hard bags. Did an 800 miler in two days with that seat and never a complaint from my wife or myself. Very happy with the set-up. To answer the 'why didn't you get a bagger' questions, I'm older now, arthritic and still like the twisties.

I do a bit of all day riding and have my bike set up for that. I have forward controls(with pegs not boards), windshield(HD quick attach), mustang vintage wide seat, and HD leather saddle bags. I also have a bikers friend bag(medium) that doubles as a back rest while riding 1 up. Makes getting on and off a bit harder, but damn is it comfortable. I can go all day and not have any problems and be willing for more.

I don't know if I would go with floor boards though. I think they would look odd on a sporty and personally I think pegs are just as comfortable. If the tread on your boots is recessed between the ball and heal then that will hold your feet on the pegs with forward controls. At least they do on mine. As mentioned before stroll through the Sport touring section for more ideas.

Welcome to the Forum from Georgia. I have HD Q/disc Touring shield, Fwd controls, Bikers friend roll, [med, like Albie and love it] Willie and Max throw over bags. Can take off for local, put on for trips.With that and a decent seat, they tour pretty well. :clap

Here's a quick online version of previous texts -

= = = = =

The first letter of the model designator reveals the engine series:
X - Sports and special construction. Applied to 1918-1922 opposed twin
Sport, 1944 military opposed twin, and 1957 to present Sportster.

Second character:
L - high compression. Omitted on low compression early models, and not indicative of compression on current models.

Sportsters: Models beginning with X are Sportsters. These descend from the K series, 1952-56. The XL series started in 1957. They are "unit construction" (engine & transmission share a common case). X was in the normal series, following the U and V used for flathead Big Twins. L stood for high compression (7.5:1 in 1957). In 1958 came the XLH with H meaning Higher-power or High-compression (9:1) or Hot. Also in 1958 was the XLCH: The C in XLCH was intended to mean "Competition", but the late Hal Robinson used to claim the CH on his bike stood for "Charley Horse" because it was highly modified and had enough initial ignition advance to kick back rather severely.

= = = = =

J.W.

Thanks...answers it exactly.
Now, any thoughts on touring additions?


You don't want to ask me.....:roflblack:roflblack:roflblack

Thanks All. I am putting on the Mustang solo seat with driver's back rest (also passenger w/ backrest when needed). It already has the quick release windshield. For now I am adding road pegs to the engine guard. Eventually I will move the controls forward (I already bought floorboards) but I want to get used to riding again with mid-mount controls. I have a touring pack that belts onto the passenger sissy bar.
Now shocks? The clearance of the bike is only 4.7 inches...should I be thinking about putting "higher" shocks on it for a smoother ride? For now, I do not want to sacrifice handling, but as I get more comfortable with it, I will finish making the "touring" upgrades.

A little taller and smoother shocks sure are nice for long or short trips.

what length are the stock shocks for the 03 883 Hugger?

what length are the stock shocks for the 03 883 Hugger?

Can't say for sure, but on the 04+ models the Low (the Hugger's equivalent) shocks are like 11" or 11" and change, while the standard shocks are 13" and change...

I betcha the 03 and earlier models are similar dimensions.

I'm sure the answer is somewhere in the suspension forum

K

I've got a '06 1200L and after riding for 50 miles your butt gets numb using the badlander seat. Only reason I'm not changing seats is the ol' lady refuses to ride on the bike until I change seats. ( Peace and quiet. )I've got the quick detach windshield and think it is great!

XL1957
XLCH..1958
XLH.. 1960
XLCR, XLT, XLX 61 cu in 1000cc..Cafe Racer 1977
XLC.. Custom..
XLR..Roadster (the old sport)
XLS..Sport (discontinued)

The "C" has been said to designate either California or Competition. I really don't think the Motor Co. has clarified it.
Ted
I've never seen C stand for California. Custom, Classic, Cafe (racer), Competition (hot), Convertible (Dyna and FXR) maybe. Not California yet. Do you have an example?

HD typically uses a 3 in the 8th character for the California introduction. So, 1HD4CEM>3< would be a California introduction. There is no C designation for a bike destined for California that I know of.

Now, what the C in VRSC (V-Rod) stands for, I have no idea. :D

--Chris

I've never seen C stand for California. Custom, Classic, Cafe (racer), Competition (hot), Convertible (Dyna and FXR) maybe. Not California yet. Do you have an example?

HD typically uses a 3 in the 8th character for the California introduction. So, 1HD4CEM>3< would be a California introduction. There is no C designation for a bike destined for California that I know of.

Now, what the C in VRSC (V-Rod) stands for, I have no idea. :D

--Chris

My first introduction to the world of VIN numbers was in 1969 when I worked as a lot boy for a Chevrolet dealer. Since that time I have learned to read them very well. Harley, and other bike manufacturers us this same system as an identifier which allows the reader to determine a good deal about the specific product line. Lets take the Sportster models from 1988 through 1996 for example. The 5th, 6th and 7th digit in the 17 digit VIN identify the model code. A CAM is an XLH 883: a CAP is an XLH 1200: a CEM is an 883 Hugger: a CFM is an XLH 883 Deluxe; a CGP is a 1200 custom and a CHP is a 1200 Sport. The models from 1997 through 2006 still use this system to identify the specific model. As an example, my 2004 1200R is a CLP........