Comparing Sportsters: Daniel's 1979 HD Ironhead vs. Brittany's 2018 Harley Davison 883

Daniel's always wanted an ironhead sportster and since getting his hands on one he has put some serious milage on his. Brittany started off on a Honda Rebel Bobber and upgraded(?) to a later model Sportster 883. We take them out for a spin to compare them to see how much difference 39 years of (almost) the same bike makes.
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[@johnorth1572]

My opinion only.. The 883 is a great bike.. I'll take my crazy ironhead over all of em.. and here's why.. Ive ridden others.. and while more modern and comfortable... well... you just ain't got the feel.. nor do you have that " ironhead sound" ain't nothing on the planet like that motor... I've been told and found it in research that almost every thing else is trying to mimic that sound.. For me.. there ain't nothing like taking off in first, rapping up grabbing 2nd, then third and fourth.. your at speed now 55-60 or more.. just cruising... settle in.. lay back and roll.. there's a symphony orchestra under you.. the wind rolling by... and those pipes.. now it's time to roll the throttle a little... in almost a blink it's like the whole world just came to life.. motor is purring like she was born for more.. pipes are cracking off.. just thundering.. and your just there.. free.. bike seems to be floating.. it's the absolute best.. nothing like an old ironhead..

[@ResurrectedGarage]

The ironhead definitely has more character and there is nothing like it. The 883 is what my wife wanted so we primarily bought that one for her while the ironhead is mine (Daniel). Now that she has gotten more comfortable on the 883 and rode mine around she wants an older ironhead as well.

[@johnorth1572]

@@ResurrectedGarage they are definitely a romance

[@arthurleino]

Pair of nice Sportsters. My first Harley Davidson was a 1980 Sportster. Sometimes I wish I kept it. Ride a 1983 Harley Davidson FXWG.

[@DiogenesOG]

They're both great bikes but the EVO motor is hands down far more reliable than the ironhead. My 90s era Sporties have the best of both worlds, the rawness and character of a rigid mount with the reliability of a blockhead not to mention that mine still have the trapdoor. Thanks for posting the vid, it was fun to watch and I hope you resolve the plug fouling issue.

[@PotatoeJoe69]

The Sportster Evo isn't really an Evo, it's just an Ironhead that's received various changes and some upgrades over the years.

[@DiogenesOG]

@@PotatoeJoe69 You're mistaken. I remember when they were introduced in '86 and it was common knowledge that the new Sportster motor was an EVO a.k.a. 'Blockhead'. sportsterpedia.com/doku.php

[@PotatoeJoe69]

@@DiogenesOG I'm not mistaken at all. I'm a mechanic, I've taken both engines apart and worked on both.... The entire bottom end can be swapped between the two engines, the case is essentially identical, the only difference is connecting rods and Pistons because of the different displacement and subsequently different jugs because of that. The architecture of the engines is 99% the same.

[@DiogenesOG]

@@PotatoeJoe69 you're still wrong but if you want to argue your point than take it up with Harley-Davidson and thousands of owners who know better.

[@PotatoeJoe69]

@@DiogenesOG You're on the internet. Look up engine diagrams and educate yourself. It's hilarious to me, and at the same time taboo and incredibly strange that I know what I'm talking about because I've rebuilt both engines, and you're just a guy basing your 'knowledge' off of the name "Evo", and yet you're gonna sit here and tell me in wrong and you're right. It's a strange world we live in.

[@martincvitkovich724]

the 883 sounds great. I's leave it as such

[@ResurrectedGarage]

Thank you

[@trevorgadd8491]

what height are your bars on the 79? Thanks.

[@andrewsarney8653]

What tires are on the ironhead?

[@charlestomasino9161]

Well which one do you like better

[@SaddleTrampTV]

I'll take the 79. It sounds cooler and full of stories yet to be told.

[@ResurrectedGarage]

Neither one of us are a fan of the ‘18. We’ve been on the lookout for another sportster that’s late 70’s.

[@kenster007]

Ironhead for the cool factor but 883 cuz dependable af. My 82 was dependable and no leaks or burning oil but evo sporties are hard to kill. I'd be happy with either.

[@ResurrectedGarage]

One of the downsides for us for the new one is that it's fuel injected. Call us crazy but the less computers and modern technology in a vehicle is what we prefer.

[@mochomochalanas9455]

Part number of electronic ignition?

[@randymarks4011]

the most reliable in my 48 years of wrenching is the Ultima ignition system, very few failures.

[@roberttolley5055]

I got a 1979 show chopper,, I ride, 1200 miles just added kick start 😅

[@ResurrectedGarage]

I've been looking for the kickstart cases to add to mine at every swap meet we go to.

[@roberttolley5055]

V twin has them

[@kennyh5083]

The old Iron Heads just shakes, rattle, and rolls like the old vintage 900's and they sound tons better too IMO, but the Evo's are smoother, more reliable, and definitely have alot more poop!

[@randymarks4011]

not so sure about more poop, faster top end though.

[@othernamen]

what's the helmet brand you've got?

[@ResurrectedGarage]

It's a Harley Davidson half helmet.

[@frankromero4048]

If you are fowling spark plugs.... Get spark plugs that are 1 or 2 heat ranges Hotter... Engine sounds okay..! CrazyHorse Speed Shop N.J.

[@ResurrectedGarage]

Thanks, I'll try that.

[@johnorth1572]

Probably a leaky oil seal on the valves. I need to do the top end on mine... but i went a couple steps hotter on my plugs and it worked a bit

[@beverlybrevit4288]

hard line on a rear brake (swingarm motion) !

[@ResurrectedGarage]

Yes, it was a temporary fix that ended up staying. It's still like that on the bike today.

[@shootinnscootin5545]

I have a Thunder Header on my 2005 XL883L and it sounds amazing. Videos on my channel if you'd like to see.

[@Vl90123]

What bike is faster

[@ResurrectedGarage]

Honestly they are about the same. The 883 feels faster around town. It feels slow to accelerate at higher speeds. The 79 pulls better at highway speed. If you're loaded with things in a long trip situation the 79 handles the load better.

[@johnorth1572]

Ive an 85 ironhead.. they should beat just about anything in town on surface streets, except superbikes.. more or less they were the original hot rod bikes.. mine is almost completely stock and I'll run almost 60 in second at almost 5 grand.. and so on.. highway she likes to cruise between 60 -70 at 3 grand..

[@rodan2852]

Ironheads Forever

[@johnranallo424]

Nice ironhead. Stop saying "ummm" so much.

[@ResurrectedGarage]

Thanks, I'll get him to work on his public speaking . he hates talking lol.

[@zap...]

I reckon you don't go very far.

[@juangonzales4189]

Ive those old boat anchors ! Hate em ! Evo. Way better

[@TheRoguelement]

I'm a little surprised at what you consider a little work ...all I can see you've done is what some lame Non mechanic might do with an extra 50 bucks...if it's fouling plugs it's likely in need of valve seals or worse depending on mileage..

[@ResurrectedGarage]

You should check out our "To the Key's or Bust" video on the '79 Ironhead. Daniel had to fix some major issues at the gas station to get it back going again. He's aware it needs some major engine work but we enjoy the bike and don't want to tear it down just yet. If all it does is foul plugs and burn oil, he's ok with that. It's small potatoes :-)