Harley Davidson XL1200C Sportster Custom 2014 Service Manual

The 2014 Harley-Davidson XL1200C Sportster Custom never pretended to be subtle. Wider rubber up front, a stretched-out stance, chrome five-spoke wheels, and that unmistakable low-slung Sportster silhouette made it the factory custom of the lineup — the bike that looked like it had already spent a weekend in a custom shop before it ever left the dealer floor.

Under the tank sits the air-cooled Evolution 1200: 1,202cc of 45-degree V-twin, 88.9 mm bore by 96.8 mm stroke, and a 10.0:1 compression ratio. Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection feeds it, and the engine answers with a claimed 70.8 ft-lb of torque at 3,500 rpm — the kind of mid-range shove that makes the five-speed gearbox and belt final drive feel perfectly matched to the bike’s easygoing but purposeful character. Dual-piston brakes (with a larger front rotor for 2014) and optional ABS rounded out the updates that year, while the classic 39 mm fork and dual adjustable rear shocks kept the ride true to Sportster tradition.

At 26.6 inches laden seat height and just under 60 inches of wheelbase, the XL1200C was built to look long and low while still remaining approachable. The fat front tire, staggered slash-cut exhaust, and chrome-heavy detailing sealed the deal — this was the Sportster for riders who wanted presence without stepping up to a full-size Softail or Touring model.

Big, stylish, air-cooled machines like this one reward careful ownership. This factory service manual delivers the exact procedures, torque values, wiring diagrams, and diagnostic steps needed to keep a 2014 XL1200C Sportster Custom looking sharp and running the way Harley intended.