Im looking at a 2006 883&nbsp\\;sweet bike!&nbsp\\;I may hold out for a 1200c but lets put that aside. If i get the 883 is there any chace of making some good power cheap? I was thinking air cleaner,jet kit fulldrag pipes (even if they lose power lol) not sure what else u can do as far as bolt ons. maybe a new carb?&nbsp\\;I no the 883 will never be a 1200 but will drag pipes,jet kit,air cleaner or new carb make any gain? thanks Joe

 

You will get a big boost from the pipes, jetting, and air cleaner...likely around 10 horsepower.&nbsp\\; Depending upon the pipes, low end&nbsp\\;or high RPM will be affected. &nbsp\\; Try to buy a bike with that already done and you will be way ahead of the game.&nbsp\\; It's a fairly common upgrade so you should be able to find such a bike, although some states do motorcycle inspections and you may have difficulty.&nbsp\\; A later bolt on could include a 1200 conversion...basically new barrels and pistons, and you can add goodies to that.&nbsp\\;

 

Nothing is cheap, especially if it has the HD logo.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;
&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;
U can get a 1200 conversion kit which requires no drilling and it turns your 883 to a 1200.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; Online at HD it'll run you around $1100 plus tax, plus about a 2 week wait....seems everything i order from HD is 2 weeks or more, and they often get in the wrong item or missing hardware kits.[:'(]&nbsp\\;&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; On Ebay there are many dealers who have the same kit for $4-600 in either black polished cyclinders or silver polish.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; This is a do it yourself kit.
&nbsp\\;\\\\\\;
Might want to look in to the Stage 1 air kit too.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; I already have the AC S-1 kit and will be getting the 1200 conversion kit soon.&nbsp\\;\\\\\\; Can't wait....good luck!

 

I'm looking at the 1250 kit from NRHS. Probably do it winter after next.
In the mean time getting the air in and out faster makes a big difference.

 

ok great so pipes and AC is a good gain then. Whats a good loud pipe that will gain good power?

 

For the difference in price I would hold off and just purchase a 2004+ 1200.
&nbsp\\;
There is more of a difference between the 883's and 1200's than just the increase in displacement.
&nbsp\\;
The 2004+ 1200's have lighter weight rods and pistons, and have high-flow cylinder heads with an oil drain-back feature. The XL Evolution 1200 engine is also fitted with high-performance cams for enhanced torque output. Compression ratio is 9.7:1.
&nbsp\\;
The factory rated horsepower for the 2004+ 883's is 53 at 6,000 RPM, with a torque rating of 51 pounds at 4,300 RPM.
&nbsp\\;
The factory rated horsepower for the 2004+ 1200's is 70 at 6,000 RPM, with a torque rating of 79 pounds at 3,500 RPM.
&nbsp\\;
As you can see, that is a substantial difference between the 2 engines.
&nbsp\\;

 

&nbsp\\;Just put on a set of slip on mufflers and a better air cleaner and a couple of new jets in the carb.
&nbsp\\;Any thing past that and you should invest in boring the jugs and a set of 1200 pistons.
&nbsp\\;No carb, no straight pipes, no jet kit&nbsp\\;unless you want to make your 883 a real slug.&nbsp\\;&nbsp\\;

 

Air cleaner, re-jet the carb, free flowing exhaust, cams, single fire ignition. That should bump it up a tad. The drag pipes are good if you run wide open all day, other than that, just a bunch of noise if you ask me. Go with Vance&amp\\;Hines or another reputable make of pipe.

 

Drag pipes work well IF you put in some baffles.
&nbsp\\;
Doing a 1200 kit without doing head work leaves ALOT of power on the table.&nbsp\\; $300-$500 for head work is worth it's weight in gold.
&nbsp\\;
IF buying new the 1200C is really the good way to go.
&nbsp\\;
My bobber has a '93 vintage 883 that has 1200 barrels and pistons.&nbsp\\; If I ever have the heads off for any reason they WILL get the full port and polish treatment, along with some nice cams, valvesprings, etc.
&nbsp\\;
Sicne you are on a budget....yes, an 883 CAN be made to run HARD.&nbsp\\; It's just that the 1200 kit is the easiest way to get it there.
&nbsp\\;
~Joe
&nbsp\\;

 

I reworked the carb and air cleaner along with the filter and got a lot of boost when done. Also put on a set of cycle shack slip on mufflers. The programable ignition module will be of some benefit as well. Keeping the bike in tune is important, to say the least. A cam won't be of any benefit with the stock set up. A good coil, and plug wires will help keep the spark at top performance. Other than the conversion, what you see is what you get but, then you have to ask yourself, how fast do you want to go? Keeping things on the inexpensive side limits you quite a bit. Money talks in the 883's horsepower increase/improvement aspect.&nbsp\\;&nbsp\\;