Harley-Davidson closing Kansas plant

[SportsterDoc]

I am not blind to H-D shortfalls, but my focus has been entirely on Sportsters (although I was aware of an issue with my eldest son-in-laws Road King and alerted him to it).

After posting on one Sportster forum for 10 years (mainly electrical and carb issues) and then, after its demise, on another Sportster forum for almost 6 years, I am very familiar with shortcomings.

Nonetheless, my love for the Sportster is not diminished. I have friends with iron butt certificates with well over 100,000 miles on their Sportsters.

However, until the CANBus models (2014 up), they have been relatively easy to troubleshoot and maintain.

My CB1100 (with which I am very fond, already) could easily have been another Sportster, except that the low and super low models have prevailed. H-D quit making a true Sportster. They do have a 1200R, but seating and handlebars simply do not feel "standard". I came close to buying a 2008 883R (last year of roadster in USA, until recently) in 2012, before I bought the 2012 Bonneville. Since the CB1100 took a chunk of 401K funds, it will likely be my final (#17) M/C and it seems very fitting, since I started with a Honda in 1963. Got several compliments and several questions on yesterday's ride.

Sportster wiring has become more complicated, but that is true of all brands replacing carbs with EFI.

A bit of info, for anyone interested:

2004-2006 wiring
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showt...?t=1869052

2007-2013 wiring
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showt...?t=1869053

2007-2009 issues
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showt...459&page=2

Model year observations
[url=http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1832807&page=2]http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showt...807&page=2

CANBus (2014 up)
[url=http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1995444]http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=1995444

OK, off my soapbox and henceforth back to the CB1100