Hey guys! Here's the video on 7 ways to tell if your motorcycle tires need replacing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_w9f_IBiWg

My Sportster is a 883. I have had my Sportster for 25 years and 400,000 miles on the original engine and 37 back tires and 17 front ones and 3 belts in 25 years and used every day as it is my daily driver as I don't have a car. I am extremely satisfied with the bike.

I HIGHLY recommend a carbureted bike. I have a 2002 Sportster 883C (non rubber mount) and a 2006 Sportster 1200L (rubber mount, and LAST year for a carbureted Harley) If you are buying a Sportster, or any used Harley, hopefully you are a gearhead, and actually like working on your vehicles. Carburetors are cheap and easy to work on and tune, EFI is an expensive nightmare, and it will need to be tuned, all EFI bikes come from the factory set so lean the engine gets hot enough to melt down, and it will sputter and hesitate. Jets and needles are about $5 apiece, an electronic tuner is at least $500, and some are over $1000. Also, if you want that Harley sound, you won't get it from an EFI bike. If getting gas and oil on your hands bothers you, then internal combustion powered motorcycles are probably not your thing.

A big thing you missed, which is an issue for ALL EVO engined Sportsters, is the clutch "grenade plate" In their infinite wisdom, H-D decided to put what they call a "spring plate" in the clutch. A "spring plate" consists of 2 plates riveted together, with springs between them. I really don't know why they did this, I've heard a lot of different things, but H-D has never explained it. Over time and mileage, the rivets tend to break, and then you have a real mess. That's why it's called a "grenade plate" There will be lots of little pieces of metal floating around in your primary and transmission (unlike the big twins, on a Sportster, the primary and transmission use the same oil) and can cause a lot of internal damage. Around 15,000 miles and later is when these things tend to fail. Both my Sportsters had well under 15,000 miles when I bought them, and the "spring plates" were still intact. I replaced them with a Barnett "extra plate kit" which eliminates the spring plate. I can't tell any difference in the way it works, but it is a VERY important thing to do. It does require a special $50 tool to remove the pressure plate. I got mine from Motion Pro. It's an easy job if you are mechanically inclined, if you're not, again a Harley may not be the right bike for you. They tend to be a "do it yourself" bike.

Some things I did when I bought my Sportsters are things I do with pretty much any used vehicle. In addition to the clutch upgrade, I replaced the tires, brake pads,  changed the engine oil and filter, primary and transmission oil, Removed, cleaned, and retuned the carburetors (the PO had installed great sounding aftermarket exhausts, but had not tuned the carburetors for them) Both still had the stock air cleaners, which I kept, but replaced the element. I lubricated and adjusted the clutch and throttle cables, drive belt, rear wheel alignment, and replaced the grips. I replaced the batterys. I gave them a good cleaning and detailing. One tool you will need is a platform type scissors jack that can lift both wheels off the ground at once. Neither one of mine had all that corrosion on the engine or forks, but they were both original Arizona bikes. Don't expect a used Sportster to be ready to ride coast to coast, unless it is really almost new. I strongly recommend joining  http://xlforum.net/    and getting a genuine H-D service manual for whichever model you wind up buying.

Seller: "so I'm sure you have a few questions"
"Actually I have exactly 50"

really a good checklist for any used bike.

This was awesome. Glad I found your channel. Subscribed.

Great video learned a lot keep up the good work love your Channel

Just found your channel. Great video and well presented.

Great video, super informative. The length of the video was perfect. You explained everything thoroughly, which was much appreciated. I definitely subscribed to this channel. Thank u!

I just bought a 2005 Sportster for my 1st bike. Its been sitting for years and needs a complete going over. This video is so informative, can't thank you enough for sharing  !!

Good video Adrian, this is quite the list, well done. cheers Dave

I’m 5’2 and love my sportster 🙏🏼.

I think you just talked me out of getting the one I'm looking at. Lol thanks! Also, hello from VA too!

Awesome video - thanks!

Excellent, great info . Thank you.

Excellent Video.   Now I can look like I know what I'm doing when I go to look at a 1999 Sportster that's for sale. Thanks!

Absolutely superb commentary. Thank you.

Awesome information ❤ thank you soooo much. I really helps buying my first bike 🙌🏼

Picking up a 98 sportster this week for $1100 with 15k miles. This is just what I’m looking for!

Very helpfull, thanks !!