A friend of mine is interested in a 2005 XL883R. Are there any known issues he should look for?

 

Nope just buy and ride it... And convert it to a 1200

 

No! It's the same as any other 883, except paintwork and better suspension and twin front rotors. Take the usual care when looking over a secondhand bike, that's all. Go with him when he takes another look at it!

 

Roadie version of the Sporty - nice scoots. Just do the standard look-over for proper care & maint. Make sure the tires aren't worn/cracked & take 'er for a good test run. It's a carb bike & my former 05 XL1200C took a few minutes to warm-up before she'd stop "dead spotting" so don't worry of it runs/rides rough for the first few miles. Let us know how it goes...good luck!

 

There was a Service Bulletin on all 2005 model Sporties for bad valve guide seals, you might want to check on whether they were replaced. Harley redesigned the seals.

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I bought a used/wrecked 06 883L a little better than a year ago. Replaced front end. Did some mods. All I've done to the engine is a CVP tuner kit for the carb, gutted the SE II exhausts and put torque cones on the top end of the exhaust and DK Customs Thunder Torque Inserts on the butt end or the pipes to give them a deeper sound ( and a sound that doesnt make my right ear bleed -hahahhhaha) The TTIs also gave her a little more punch. I ride the bike all the time and love it. Runs and rides like a champ.

 

I don't remember mine having the valve guide issue.
The 883R is actually a 2005½, introduced in January.
I had a problem with front brakes sticking.
When I took it to the dealer, they couldn't find a service bulletin.
There was a recall notice in my mailbox later the same day.
Mine has over 79,000 miles now.