Hi Guys, I hate the look of the factory exhaust with the crossover pipe, and I see plenty of OE ones on Ebay/Craigslist but they are almost all from newer bikes. Will an exhasue from a newer bike work on my 03? I am looking at sportys exhaust from 2012-15 for the most part. Aftermarket is the ultimate way to go but for now that is out of the question.

 

You've got to search for the one's that fit like 1986 thru 2003. In 2004 they made changes to the sportsters (rubber mounted engines) There are straight pipes out there on E bay for cheap price that don't have the cross over.

 

In 04 with the switch to rubber mount and efi did the geometry of the engine or exhaust change that would not let a new exhaust physically fit on an older sportster? The bracket from the pipe to the frame does not bother me, I can fab/modify something for that. Seen the straight pipe of ebay, they would be a second choice.

 

The later Sporty OE systems also have a cross-over, which hides behind the mufflers and doubles up as the mounting. Take a look here for more details. It's quite a cumbersome arrangement which may not lend itself to being adapted. Since '14 IIRC the design has been changed. If you have a convenient Harley dealer it might be worth calling by, to take a look at recent models, for a closer look.

 

I think Cycle Shack makes some pipes, used to be called M pipes IIRC. You might also try some CS slip on mufflers. That crossover does actually help midrange performance. Over on xlforum.net there are lots of dyno sheets regarding pipe selection and output. Some people put obstructions in their straight pipes (lollipops) that are said to help midrange flat spots, IDK. I have the stock crossover with older model SE slipons, they seem to be a good combination performance wise for my 883. There's only so much you can do with the smaller displacement.

John

 

Thanks guys, I see the built in newer cross over so that puts a big kink in my plan. My friend said the same thing to keep the cross over...mid range...blah blah blah. While I understand the need for it I really hate the look of it!!! I might take some header wrap in black and wrap the cross over and try to "blend" it into the bike. Then save my pennies and buy a nice aftermarket system.

 

That crossover goes back to the '60s IIRC, when BSA discovered by accident that it boosts low/mid range torque. Before long every twin manufacturer around the world had copied it, having recognised the benefit. Some custom pipes have one snuck away out of sight. The best arrangement is a 2-into-1, with equal length pipes.

 

Been on the search for an 883 r exhaust, found the muffler but the pipes seem to be nonexistent