10/14/2026
This chopper began its life as a 2003 Anniversary Edition Sportster "Hugger." We love using 100th anniversary edition Harley-Davidson Sportsters as the platforms for our hardtail kit chopper builds for three reasons:
1) They're the newest, most advanced Sportsters with solid mount frames. This engine-to-frame mounting style was used by Harley-Davidson in the same way on Sportsters from 1985-2003. That makes it so all bikes from this date range can use our hardtail kit. The later you get in that range the better the motor company got at manufacturing the Evolution, or "Evo" power plant. Plus the less time on the clock the less chance the bike's had to miss maintenance checks, get dropped, or pick up nicks in the chrome.
2) 2000 - 2003 Harley-Davidson Sportsters shipped with an improved rear brake caliper. We love being able to stop. Especially on choppers without a front brake. So we prefer Harley's most advanced Sportster rear caliper. Not only did it have the best internals, it had the cleanest look too. Plus, it'll fit our Deluxe Sportster chopper kit without any additional modification to the caliper.
3) Harley-Davidson 100th Anniversary edition tins are always an easy resell on Ebay. When we get an anniversary edition Sportster with a clean tin set, meaning the gas tank, front fender and rear fender, we know we can count on making about $400 back when we sell. Remember to always sell the stock gas tank, front fender and rear fender separately, you'll make more and sell faster than if you list them as a set.
If you want more info on how to pick a donor Sportster to chop, we made a whole video on the topic on our YouTube channel.
