Can anyone tell me the best way to find out what SE stage your bike is?
I have a 2003 sportster, new to me and the guy I bought it from {said he thinks)
that its stage 3. said its carbs, bored, and pipes. I have been reading the forumsto see what the stages mean, altho I dont fully understand it. do I need to take it to the dealer and dyno it to find out what the true story is? or are there visual clues? There are no clues in the paperwork I have either.

 

I'm no expert either but what you've described is stage 1. The "bore" is something entirely different and done in addition to the "stages". Stage two typriclaly includes cams and maybe a few other things. Stage 3 bikes from my understanding are not good riding on the street. More of drag strip type stuff.