Hey guys!

I'm new to the forum, so a quick intro is in order. I'm Alex from Norway, currently riding a 2003 XL53C that was converted to 1200cc by the previous owned with a Screamin Eagle stage 2 kit.
This is my first bike, and my first Harley, so I'm quite new to this (this is my second season on it).

I was wondering if anyone with a converted 883 could answer me about what their RPM is like on a highway.
The previous owner of this bike did nothing to the gearing ratio, so they're quite short. I usually shift to fifth at around 80-90 km/h (50-55 mph), and go with the fifth from there. When I'm starting to get close to 100kmh (60mph) and above, it sounds like the engine is in REALLY high rpm (not sure how much, but I would guess about 4000-5000rpm). It might be because it's loud that it feels like this, but I'm not sure.
So basically, I rarely go over 110 kmh (65rpm) because it sounds like the engine is going to explode on me.

Is this a normal RPM range for a converted sportster?
Is it safe for the engine to ride it on high RPM?

Thank you in advance, and sorry for the potentially stupid questions!

 

It is normal, it is safe.

You are probably closer to about 3000 rpms at 60 mph.

4000 rpm in 5th would be closer to 80 mph

There is a HD 2003 XL 883 option in the database here:
https://www.gearingcommander.com/

 

Hi Alexey from the UK and welcome to HDF. Use the link in shennaba's post above, which should enable you to download the owners manual. That should have useful info in it, including rpms etc. If your bike has a loud exhaust either find a way of making it quieter, or find yourself some ear-plugs - the best tuning aid known to mankind! I've been using them since the '70s....

 

International bikes use different gearing than domestic (US) spec Sportsters, and 1200 from 883 also. You can modify the final drive, also the transmission sprocket/pulley for lower numerical ratios.

 

Converting to 1200 does nothing to change the rpm at any given speed in any given gear. The relationship of rpm to speed will be exactly the after the conversion as it was before the conversion.

 

883 Sportsters have a lower final gear ratio than the 1200's.

His 1200 will be turning the same RPM's at 65 MPH as his 883 Sportster did before the conversion, which is more RPM's than my 1200C Sportster will turn at 65 MPH.

But my 883 Spotster, even with it's lower final gear ratio runs just fine at 80-85 MPH on the interstate It just doesn't get to 90 or 95 as fast as the 1200 does.


Alexey, you bike should still have a rev limiter that stops it from spinning too fast. Just ride the heck out of it.

 

Thanks a lot for all the replies, I guess then I can rest easy and ride hard.
I reckon I'm just nervous since I don't really know the bike well enough yet to know what it likes and doesn't. I always tend to shift too early and not get it into higher RPMs, but it might have just as much to do the an exhaust that's a little too loud and not enough experience on the bike.

Thanks a lot for the help, appreciate it!