2002 883 Hugger
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,849
Likes: 1,954
From: Santa Ana, CA
In most places drag pipes are good for one thing. Pissing off your neighbors. In my are area, they're good for two things. Pissing off your neighbors and getting pulled over. If those two things are of no concern than I see no problem with them. They are the best looking pipes in my opinion and on a vanilla 883 it shouldn't be a big tuning issue.
Last edited by OCSpringer; Aug 4, 2025 at 10:37 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,103
Likes: 19,257
From: The Wasteland
Another option would be to check Ebay or Marketplace for a set of Vance & Hines Straight Shots. They have the look of a drag pipe, but still have enough baffle that you can retain some of your lower and mid range power.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,997
Likes: 2,083
From: Newport,TN area
mounted tach is going to be way cheaper, but it may not be the way you want it to look...
good luck,
T.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 17
Likes: 5
From: Aberdeen, NC
I found a guy with a dual gauge pod for $120 buck with a riser
might scoop them up
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,997
Likes: 2,083
From: Newport,TN area
Take some pictures when you get it & show us what it looks like.
Thanks,
T.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 567
Likes: 556
From: Northern plains
gmo777: Don't mess up your Sporty!
I've had lots of Sportsters of every variety over the years. Lots of guys think they have to go with loud pipes the minute they get a Harley. You don't. If you think you absolutely HAVE to go with the drag pipe look...do your bike and yourself a huge favor and get quality pipes with some baffles and make sure it is " tuned" exhaust...not just loud. Just loud sounds crappy and may burn out your valves. A gal I knew wouldnt listen...she thought loud meant Harley. What she found out was exhaust valves need some back pressure. Expensive lessen. There's a huge difference between straight drag pipes and a nice Vance & Hines set. Get the tuner or better yet, have the ecm settings upgraded and then dynoed, preferably by a Harley shop.
The tach is simple, if they still make the Harley tach kit (Harley is not supporting older bikes like they used to). It has everything you need, including the dual housing and instructions. I've done a couple of these on my previous Sportys. Don't bother with the dual disc brake kit, the braking really doesnt improve that much.
I know you want to just "jump in" and personalize this bike, but my advice is to own it and ride it for awhile. Ive fully customized Sportsters, and left others stock. There really is no benefit to spending all that money. A sporty sounds great stock, if you dont need the self gratification of making a lot of noise. I personally love the stock bullet mufflers. Dont punch out the baffles. The exhaust will sound like 💩.
The tach is simple, if they still make the Harley tach kit (Harley is not supporting older bikes like they used to). It has everything you need, including the dual housing and instructions. I've done a couple of these on my previous Sportys. Don't bother with the dual disc brake kit, the braking really doesnt improve that much.
I know you want to just "jump in" and personalize this bike, but my advice is to own it and ride it for awhile. Ive fully customized Sportsters, and left others stock. There really is no benefit to spending all that money. A sporty sounds great stock, if you dont need the self gratification of making a lot of noise. I personally love the stock bullet mufflers. Dont punch out the baffles. The exhaust will sound like 💩.
Last edited by Hathaway; Aug 6, 2025 at 07:57 AM.