Older I get the more I'm thinking smaller is better, ie 1100-1200 size bikes, I don't like the look of the modern Sportsters styling, the Japs make some nice mid size bikes, but I prefer a rear swing arm,  and the Evo Sportster Engine is one of the best HD engines ever made, so a Sportster engine in a full size bike would be ideal, there's a frame manufacturer called Chopper Guys over in the States, they used to (maybe still do) make an fxr frame to suit the Sportster engine, I've seen a few bikes for sale over the years however so far only Ugly as fuck Customs not suited for Touring, one day a nice sensible Tourer will turn up and I'll be right on it, here's some pics,

Meanwhile I have one of these, best thing since sliced bread,

What is it?

51 new west, well done!

And liberator , that's the reason I chose my 03 sportster ( as getting older and want something lighter ). but with me I felt the sportster needed more low down Torque like the Twin Cam ( Evo 80 no Torque!! I tried them when new & at the time I had a 98" Shovel that had bulk Torque ) I was used to Big Twins that could pull strong from lower rev's & not need to shift gear as much. But I did not want rubber mounted motor. 

I had a Buell for a while, it was a Carb tube frame model, but as pipe ( & on my tube frame shock was under the bike no good on dirt roads, plus Buell's all have lighter flywheels, so no smooth pulling power from low rev ) I did a a bit of a thread on my Sporty build  before & think it's still in here . But I've put a lot of miles under it since the build & only one problem was an SSB battery positive terminal breaking off, but I replaced with another 450cca SSB battery and done a lot more k's on it than first one so touch wood. my rigid mounted motor that uses the press fit pin flywheels & was balanced and had crank pin welded by Oli up Queensland, it is smooth ( & I had a rubber mount Buell ) It can idle slow & smooth ( Slower & smoother than the Twin Cam 95" I had ) 7 so much low end Torque & smooth pulling power from low rev no clutch needed, it is easy to ride in dirt. but as I'm stupid, I've never learnt to pack hard bags I just travel light  no bags, no windscreen. but I mostly stick to sealed roads. but road on dirt roads riding from Cairns to far south coast NSW, that was when I bought the bike ( now that ride would be even easier ).

also when the new track in Sydney is finished, I'll take it down quarter mile see how she goes.

Yeh the Uylses Buell, Best in the Buell line up!! good motor too as oil cooled & big crank pin Flywheels, but like all Buell the flywheels lighter ( not for me ! ) also with the Buell XB Style , pain in butt to work on!!  a simple pipe change or repair , it needs the whole motor dropped & anything to do with gearbox it need whole motor dropped & cases split. my old 03 gear box comes out , just remove outer primary cover & clutch hub undo 4 bolts and gear box comes out, also my model came with Timkin bearing on drive side of Crank. the whole bike is easy for me to work on ( carb ) but has the late model heads ( I think better Torque than the old open chamber as ports look better for Torque too ) & I used the heavy old Nodular iron Axtell barrels 3 13/16" as I feel the 1250 / 1275 a poor choice for long term as no oversize pistons ( I asked Hammer they think stocking oversize pistons would be a nightmare ) so went 88" as plenty of meat in there & the 90" ( I can size mine out to 90 if I want to ) no oversize pistons stocked by hammer for same reason )

well I've now done 40,000km on the build ( smooth nothing has come loose don't carry tools like I did with my old 98" Shovel  )

but will I win a show ? NO 

but nothing is perfect!!

It's just me riding Harleys for so long ( so many years ) I don't know any better.