A buddy picked up a 2000 sportster 1200 with 900 miles on it and needs new heat shields. He got a set from an 883 2001 and they don't fit. Doesanyone know where the differences are?
The internal engines should be the difference but where do the differences come in with the external parts like the heat shields. He bought them off ebay and is starting to get a collection of them, none of which fit on the pipes of this bike (stock pipes)

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

He should sell his "collection" on eBay, bite the bullet, and order a new set from Surdyke's or Chicago Harley (they both discount mail-order parts in the neighborhood of 20%).

 

They aren'tdifferant the two sets you discribe should be the same. As far as I know 86-03 are all the sameI have bought several sets of exhaust pipes on EBAY and the pipes and heat shields all interchange.
I don't know why yours don't fit, they should unless you bought oneof the many set of early big twin pipes people are always trying to sell as Sportster pipes, they look simialer but they're not the most distintive clue is the cross over pipe isn't straight on the big twin set.

 

Are they stock pipes?