Question on customizing XL883
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2010
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Question on customizing XL883
Hi All
I'm asking this question due to limited access to HD's models & most importantly, very poor condition of my financials. All the impatients can skip the background & jump to questions.
Background
I love the Fatboy & my second choice would be Super Glide Custom & third being 1200 Custom (1200C). My poor financial condition says a strict NO NO to Fat boy & Super Glide Custom; In a years time I can afford for 883L
& thought its best to customize it & cherish it for the rest of my life. Now when I saw this 1200C I thought if I could wait for another year I could compromise on it. But the bad part is 1200C is not available here; so the only option left for me is to consider 883L & customize or wait for several years (and still not sure) to buy Super Glide Custom or wait for a life time to buy Fatboy (don't know if it would ever be possible). So I hit upon the idea of customization; I know its perfectly possible to customize any HD motorcycles but what I don't know is if I could customize 883L to look like a 1200C or a Super Glide Custom but still with 883L engine.
Questions
1. If anyone has worked on cosmetic changes converting 883L to look like Super Glide Custom or Fatboy, pls provide a rough estimate or show me pointers to find an approximate price
2. The main modifications that I'm aware of doing are
a. Change the fuel tank to look like Super Glide Custom or Fatboy
b. Front foot pegs with leg rest for cruising with gear shift change & brake pedal change
c. Solo seat changed to solo+pillion
d. Fat boy type wide handle bars
e. Though I love to have the speedo on the fuel tank, I'm afraid I cannot afford for it, so I can skip this part
3. Are there any other cosmetic modifications from the above 2a to 2e points that should be carried out to make a 883L to look like Super Glide Custom/Fat boy?
Note - I'm outside of US & hence have don't have access to any of locally available garages or contacts.
Thanks in advance for any help.
I'm asking this question due to limited access to HD's models & most importantly, very poor condition of my financials. All the impatients can skip the background & jump to questions.
Background
I love the Fatboy & my second choice would be Super Glide Custom & third being 1200 Custom (1200C). My poor financial condition says a strict NO NO to Fat boy & Super Glide Custom; In a years time I can afford for 883L
& thought its best to customize it & cherish it for the rest of my life. Now when I saw this 1200C I thought if I could wait for another year I could compromise on it. But the bad part is 1200C is not available here; so the only option left for me is to consider 883L & customize or wait for several years (and still not sure) to buy Super Glide Custom or wait for a life time to buy Fatboy (don't know if it would ever be possible). So I hit upon the idea of customization; I know its perfectly possible to customize any HD motorcycles but what I don't know is if I could customize 883L to look like a 1200C or a Super Glide Custom but still with 883L engine.Questions
1. If anyone has worked on cosmetic changes converting 883L to look like Super Glide Custom or Fatboy, pls provide a rough estimate or show me pointers to find an approximate price
2. The main modifications that I'm aware of doing are
a. Change the fuel tank to look like Super Glide Custom or Fatboy
b. Front foot pegs with leg rest for cruising with gear shift change & brake pedal change
c. Solo seat changed to solo+pillion
d. Fat boy type wide handle bars
e. Though I love to have the speedo on the fuel tank, I'm afraid I cannot afford for it, so I can skip this part
3. Are there any other cosmetic modifications from the above 2a to 2e points that should be carried out to make a 883L to look like Super Glide Custom/Fat boy?
Note - I'm outside of US & hence have don't have access to any of locally available garages or contacts.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 5
From: Berwick, Pa
No, it's just that there isn't any way to accomplish what you want cheaply. All those things you talk about cost $$.
Another thing is you say you are "outside of US & hence have don't have access to any of locally available garages". Where in the world don't they have garages?? Antartica??
There are lots of things you can do to customize just about any bike. But if you buy one bike with the hopes of making it look like another bike......well, it's probably cheaper in the long run to just buy the bike you want in the first place.
Another thing is you say you are "outside of US & hence have don't have access to any of locally available garages". Where in the world don't they have garages?? Antartica??
There are lots of things you can do to customize just about any bike. But if you buy one bike with the hopes of making it look like another bike......well, it's probably cheaper in the long run to just buy the bike you want in the first place.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
What ^^^ Kahaone said! Although, you could always buy a "Fat-Bob" tank kit for the sporty that has the slightly larger tank and moves the speedo/lights down to the tank. That's roughly $350 I believe. Find a set of Forward controls on E-bay/etc.
However, I'd say look for a nice used bike & get the one you want & can afford.
However, I'd say look for a nice used bike & get the one you want & can afford.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2010
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Guys thanks very much. We don't have used HD's selling here so I cannot consider the option of buying a used HD for another few years, as, HD starts selling the motorcycles from April 2010 & delivery by June 2010.
I guess I'll go with the front footpegs & solo+pillion seats only & fitting a sissy bar.
Just wanted to ask few more questions.
1. The Evo engines seems to have been designed in 1980's & they're still being used in 883, so is there a chance that HD could phase out this engine because its an old technology or something like that?
2. Also, would appreciate if somebody can share the top speed attainable in 883XL & pointers to some good automotive site where XL883 is being tested for 0-60 numbers.
3. I heard HD's leak oils, is the same applicable to the modern day 883XL?
4. We live in coastal area where the summer temperature gets around 110. Are there anyone who owns a air cooled HD riding at this temperature? I would like to get an opinion on maintenance tips on how to ride HD's at this high temperature.
Pls bear with my noob questions because I belong to a place where HD's are treated like Ferrari's/Lambo's/Hummers of US. Their lowest model costs more than half of my annual package & top of the line costs 4 times my annual package. Buying an HD is realizing a dream & achievement of life to me & I don't want a wrong decision & I cannot afford to change it again in my lifetime. Hence such questions.
I guess I'll go with the front footpegs & solo+pillion seats only & fitting a sissy bar.
Just wanted to ask few more questions.
1. The Evo engines seems to have been designed in 1980's & they're still being used in 883, so is there a chance that HD could phase out this engine because its an old technology or something like that?
2. Also, would appreciate if somebody can share the top speed attainable in 883XL & pointers to some good automotive site where XL883 is being tested for 0-60 numbers.
3. I heard HD's leak oils, is the same applicable to the modern day 883XL?
4. We live in coastal area where the summer temperature gets around 110. Are there anyone who owns a air cooled HD riding at this temperature? I would like to get an opinion on maintenance tips on how to ride HD's at this high temperature.
Pls bear with my noob questions because I belong to a place where HD's are treated like Ferrari's/Lambo's/Hummers of US. Their lowest model costs more than half of my annual package & top of the line costs 4 times my annual package. Buying an HD is realizing a dream & achievement of life to me & I don't want a wrong decision & I cannot afford to change it again in my lifetime. Hence such questions.
Last edited by aargee; Mar 29, 2010 at 04:08 AM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
I don't see why HD would stop using the EVO engine in sporties any time soon, 883 or 1200. It's a solid model/engine. I don't know of the 0-60 times, but top speed is around 115 or so for the 883, if I remember correctly. Harleys leaking oil is/was an old issue. A new bike shouldn't leak. The only issues I've heard of lately is people having some leaking from their rocker boxes, which is an easy fix, or from people over filling the bike with oil when doing an oil change and getting the "Blow-By" issue of excess oil coming out the air cleaner. As for riding in a high temp environment, just use a good oil & change it about every 2500 miles or so if you like.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 2
883L set up for 5'2" rider.
Custom flames, 1200 conversion, chrome forwards with ISO Wings, Pirelli Night Dragons, lay down plate/tail light, flush mount fuel cap, Sportster grips, chrome levers, AN Big Sucker, V&H Short Shots, Big Spoke sprocket cover, black fork sliders, Nightster seat, 5.5" pullback risers, SE timer cover, chrome derby, Sportster hard bags, engine guard, detach shield, Stealth shift peg, chrome front axle covers, black swing arm pivot covers, etc.
Custom flames, 1200 conversion, chrome forwards with ISO Wings, Pirelli Night Dragons, lay down plate/tail light, flush mount fuel cap, Sportster grips, chrome levers, AN Big Sucker, V&H Short Shots, Big Spoke sprocket cover, black fork sliders, Nightster seat, 5.5" pullback risers, SE timer cover, chrome derby, Sportster hard bags, engine guard, detach shield, Stealth shift peg, chrome front axle covers, black swing arm pivot covers, etc.
Last edited by 131tman; Mar 30, 2010 at 10:26 AM.
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