1957 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL

• ENGINE: Air-cooled, 4-stroke, 55 cubic inch, 883cc OHV V-twin
• ENGINE NO.: 57XL3147
• HP: 40 at 5,500 RPM
• FUEL SYSTEM: Linkert DC-1 carburetor
• TRANSMISSION: 4-speed manual constant mesh (right-side foot shift)
• STARTING: Kick start
• FRAME: Tubular steel (derived from the Model K)
• WEIGHT: 495 LB.
• FRONT SUSPENSION: Telescopic fork
• REAR SUSPENSION: Swingarm with dual shock absorbers
• BRAKES: Front and rear expanding drum brakes
• WHEELBASE: 56.5 inches
• FUEL CAPACITY: 4.4 gallons
• MILEAGE: 25,180

Harley-David­son, Inc. needs no introduction as an iconic Amer­ican Motor­cycle manu­facturer headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1901, William S. Harley, Arthur David­son, and brother Walter David­son began work on their first Motor­cycle engine. Their first attempt may have been a failure, but they founded Harley-David­son in 1903 and became one of the largest Motor­cycle manu­facturers by 1920. They produced Motor­cycles for the United States used in both World War I & II and were one of only two major Motor­cycle manu­facturers to survive the Great Depression. In fact, they’ve survived numerous changes to ownership and restructuring, intense global competition, charges of restrictive practices, claims of stock price manipulation, and a constantly evolving view of the com­pany and bikers. Still, they are widely known for their loyal following and now manufacture in Penn­syl­vania, Wisconsin, Brazil, and Thailand. Their classic cruiser style, including high handlebars, low seats, and chrome parts, is easily recognizable. They’re also noted for their customizability, giving rise to the chopper style of Motor­cycle, and for the distinct sound of HD’s powerful engines.

The 1957 Harley-David­son Sportster is the inaugural model of the iconic Sportster line. Introduced to rival nimble British motor­cycles, this lightweight “Ironhead” featured a powerful, revolutionary 55-cubic-inch, 883cc overhead-valve (OHV) V-twin engine. It delivered stronger high-rpm performance and a harder-edged exhaust note than previous flathead engines. This year’s Sportster is historically unique as the debut year of one of the longest-running motor­cycle lines in history. Only 1,983 units were produced, making this first-year roadster highly sought after by collectors. The “XL,” for Experimental Lightweight or Extra Light, is simply the factory product code for the Sportster line, as there were no “H” (high-compression) or “CH” (competition) variants in 1957. The XL engine evolved from the earlier K-series side-valve (flathead) models by introducing a high-performance, cast-iron overhead-valve top end. It quickly earned the reputation of an American “sports bike” for its speed and agile handling, remaining in continuous production. Built with a shorter wheelbase, steep neck angle, and an advanced hydraulic suspension system, the 1957 model was incredibly agile and marked the birth of Harley’s high-performance muscle era. Orig­inal, period-correct 1957 XL Sportsters command a premium due to their historical significance, and vehicles available for sale are quite rare.

This 1957 Harley-David­son Sportster XL has undergone a recent complete restoration and is currently in excellent running condition.