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5th July 2009
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Flat Track Racer
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 226
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Just got my first American bike
Hey guys,
I just picked up my first American bike, a 1997 XL1200S. I've been looking for an S model for a while and am relatively happy with my find.
This bike is quite a departure for me considering I compete in new england trials and spend an additional 15 hours or so a week on the practice track on my enduro bike, but I've done the sportbike thing and my god does it not gel with me. I rode my buddies (very highly modified) sportster and decided that's what I needed.
Being a small guy at 145 lbs in race trim I focused in on the S model so I could adjust the suspension to fit my needs without spending the big $$$. Now I'm here because this bike is a 1997 and only has 5000 miles on it, and the rest of the time spent in the barn! I'm going to be enlisting your breadth of knowledge in polishing and cleaning because nearly every steel surface on this thing is slightly pitted and the wheels and aluminum are nasty nasty nasty looking. Once I get that in line (some SERIOUS elbow grease here), I'll be working my way towards a flat track conversion.
Cheers! 
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5th July 2009
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Senior Master Custom Bike Builder
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Illinois
Posts: 4,424 Sportster/Buell Model: 883-1250 Sportster/Buell Year: 1999 Other Motorcycle Model: 600cc CBR Other Motorcycle Year: 1987
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Welcome to the forum!  Me likey the S model. 
__________________
"Insert witty comment here" -1999 883-1250 XL, N4 cams, NRHS AC, ST 2-1, Golan petcock, Ricor Intiminators, aesthetic changes
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6th July 2009
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XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 103 Sportster/Buell Model: XL1200S Sportster/Buell Year: 1996 Other Motorcycle Model: Suzuki Bandit 1200S Other Motorcycle Year: 2000
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Welcome
These people have saved me a lot of problems just by reading the info available.
I'm running a 96 1200S
Mike
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6th July 2009
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Bike Builder
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: EAST COAST
Posts: 1,830 Sportster/Buell Model: 883r Sportster/Buell Year: 2003 Other Motorcycle Model: cb750 Other Motorcycle Year: 1974
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600-800grit wet/dry is your friend,you will never get rid of the nasty looking aluminum withhout replacing it or painting it,sanding will give you a smooth surface to paint,sanding and polishing will give pretty good results to but once the aluminum is discoloured from the corrosion its pretty hard to get it to be all the same colour, it kinda gets that silver and grey cloudy look to it....just my .02$ though, some may have better results then myself....
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6th July 2009
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aka The Ruler
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Vado, NM
Posts: 1,114 Sportster/Buell Model: XL883C Sportster/Buell Year: 1999 Other Motorcycle Model: Kawasaki Vulcan 500 Other Motorcycle Year: 1996
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Welcome from Southern New Mexico. You're gonna love that ride!
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6th July 2009
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XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: In a swamp
Posts: 5,964 Sportster/Buell Model: XL1460C Sportster/Buell Year: 2000 Sportster/Buell Model #2: XL1200R Sportster/Buell Year #2: 2006 Other Motorcycle Model: XLH Other Motorcycle Year: 1972
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Welcome, and with your attitude I'm sure you and your "S" , will be just fine.
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6th July 2009
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Master Mechanic
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 260 Sportster/Buell Model: XLH Sportster/Buell Year: 1995
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Hello VT (welcome from another newbie) I've had my bike for about 15 yrs and I'm constantly finding some bit or piece that needs some brightening. I use "Never-Dull" on my chrome and aluminum and it's the best I've ever found (one of the few things I learned in the Marines that won't get me arrested in "real" life.)
JF (Sean in Napa CA)
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7th July 2009
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Brass Nut
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Western Weald
Posts: 30,416 Sportster/Buell Model: XL1200V Sportster/Buell Year: 2013 Sportster/Buell Model #2: XL883C … long gone Sportster/Buell Year #2: 2005 Other Motorcycle Model: FXDB … gone! Other Motorcycle Year: 2012
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__________________
Folkie
Super Moderator
'The green machine'
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7th July 2009
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XL FORUM TEAM MEMBER
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Sunny Italy
Posts: 15,362 Sportster/Buell Model: XLH 1200 Sportster/Buell Year: 1993 Other Motorcycle Model: Moto Guzzi California EV Other Motorcycle Year: 1998
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Welcome to the forum from sunny Italy!
__________________
Jim in Italy
'93 1200
4"Extended Jaybrake Forward Controls
58mm Inverted Wide Glide Front End
Super E Carb w/Forcewinder Air Cleaner
WetDreamz Pipes
Holographic Metal Flake Paint Job
Six Piston Jaybrake Calipers
16" Carlini Apes
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