New Guy - 2004 Sportster 883 (looking for advise)
New Guy - 2004 Sportster 883 (looking for advise)
I just bought a 2004 Sportster 883 and had a few questions that I hope some of the more experienced riders can chime in on.
1. My seat has a spot for a passenger. I do not need or want the double seat. How can I check to see if the seat is one piece or two (so that I can remove the rear piece) and, if the seat is one piece, what would you folks suggest for a good, solid replacement solo seat?
2. Should I invest in a fork brace and, if so, what make/model should I consider?
3. The kickstand seems to force the bike to lean over more than I recall my Honda doing. Is that something that is normal for Harleys or something I should have looked at?
4. I have some after market pipes on the bike (not sure what make or model). Where on the pipes might I find the make/model and should I consider putting the stock pipes back on?
5. I am struggling to get the mirrors to adjust properly so that I can see behind me. They seem awfully low. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
1. My seat has a spot for a passenger. I do not need or want the double seat. How can I check to see if the seat is one piece or two (so that I can remove the rear piece) and, if the seat is one piece, what would you folks suggest for a good, solid replacement solo seat?
2. Should I invest in a fork brace and, if so, what make/model should I consider?
3. The kickstand seems to force the bike to lean over more than I recall my Honda doing. Is that something that is normal for Harleys or something I should have looked at?
4. I have some after market pipes on the bike (not sure what make or model). Where on the pipes might I find the make/model and should I consider putting the stock pipes back on?
5. I am struggling to get the mirrors to adjust properly so that I can see behind me. They seem awfully low. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
Novice
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
I can help with the mirror question, I have an 07 nightster (sportster) and I had the same problem. A simple fix is to flip them upside down and move the left to the right and vice versa. Depends if you like the look or not though but it does help with visibility and its a simple fix. Hope that helps
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Mount Juliet, TN
I agree with the mirror flip, no more elbows & shoulders. It is a little more to get used to if you wear a full facesd helmet though.
As for who made the pipes. check the back of them either with a mirror..depending on backwards reading skills..or take them. If you want your Harley to sound like a sewing machine, put the stock ones back on.
As for who made the pipes. check the back of them either with a mirror..depending on backwards reading skills..or take them. If you want your Harley to sound like a sewing machine, put the stock ones back on.
Thanks. I will try both of your suggestions and let report what type of pipes are on there. I am anxious to try the mirror adjustment. Why will the full faced helmet be a problem?
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 990
Likes: 10
From: Redondo Beach, California
I just bought a 2004 Sportster 883 and had a few questions that I hope some of the more experienced riders can chime in on.
1. My seat has a spot for a passenger. I do not need or want the double seat. How can I check to see if the seat is one piece or two (so that I can remove the rear piece) and, if the seat is one piece, what would you folks suggest for a good, solid replacement solo seat?
It sounds like it is a one piece seat for 2 up seating. Remove the seat and you will know for sure if it is in 2 pieces or not. A solo seat is a personal choice that YOU have to decide if it is comfortable for your butt or not or if you just want to make a fashion statement with your bike so it looks cool or not. There are some spring suspended seats that have come out that you could check out and there are also some solo touring seats from Mustang and from Harley that deserve a look too! You should really let you butt decide which seat to buy.
2. Should I invest in a fork brace and, if so, what make/model should I consider?
It depends on your riding style and taste. If you are a cruiser, you may not feel the need for a fork brace. If you are a canyon carver and you like to see the sparks fly out from grinding down the feelers on your foot pegs in the corners (like me), you may feel like the front end could use some extra rigidity. What do YOU think? How does the front end feel to YOU when you ride it? If you like the way your bike handles now then you probably dont need to buy a front fork brace.
3. The kickstand seems to force the bike to lean over more than I recall my Honda doing. Is that something that is normal for Harleys or something I should have looked at?
The kickstand on a Honda is much different than the kickstand on a Harley. On a Harley the kickstand kind of LOCKS into place when it is down and that extra lean is what helps keep the kickstand locked in the down position. This is normal.
4. I have some after market pipes on the bike (not sure what make or model). Where on the pipes might I find the make/model and should I consider putting the stock pipes back on?
With any luck, you should be able to see the information you are looking for on the bottom or the back side of the exhaust pipes. If the bike has after market pipes on it now then a previous owner has probably made upgrades to the air intake and exhaust and re-jetted the carburetor to help the bike run more efficiently. If you decide to put the original stock pipes back on, you will have to re-jet the carburetor back to the stock jets and change the air intake back to the stock unit as well. Spending good money to make the bike run poorly is not a very bright idea to me, unless you really want to ride a stock Harley like it came from the factory.
5. I am struggling to get the mirrors to adjust properly so that I can see behind me. They seem awfully low. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
The flipped mirror trick seems to be a pretty popular thing to do and it is a FREE mod. Please make sure to check that the mirrors do not touch the gas tank when the handlebars are turned from one handlebar stop to the other handlebar stop. I ride with a full face helmet and it can be limiting to some side peripheral vision and that might interfere some with looking at the mirrors now that they are under the handlebars. It just takes some getting use to is all. Good luck and ride safe out there!
1. My seat has a spot for a passenger. I do not need or want the double seat. How can I check to see if the seat is one piece or two (so that I can remove the rear piece) and, if the seat is one piece, what would you folks suggest for a good, solid replacement solo seat?
It sounds like it is a one piece seat for 2 up seating. Remove the seat and you will know for sure if it is in 2 pieces or not. A solo seat is a personal choice that YOU have to decide if it is comfortable for your butt or not or if you just want to make a fashion statement with your bike so it looks cool or not. There are some spring suspended seats that have come out that you could check out and there are also some solo touring seats from Mustang and from Harley that deserve a look too! You should really let you butt decide which seat to buy.
2. Should I invest in a fork brace and, if so, what make/model should I consider?
It depends on your riding style and taste. If you are a cruiser, you may not feel the need for a fork brace. If you are a canyon carver and you like to see the sparks fly out from grinding down the feelers on your foot pegs in the corners (like me), you may feel like the front end could use some extra rigidity. What do YOU think? How does the front end feel to YOU when you ride it? If you like the way your bike handles now then you probably dont need to buy a front fork brace.
3. The kickstand seems to force the bike to lean over more than I recall my Honda doing. Is that something that is normal for Harleys or something I should have looked at?
The kickstand on a Honda is much different than the kickstand on a Harley. On a Harley the kickstand kind of LOCKS into place when it is down and that extra lean is what helps keep the kickstand locked in the down position. This is normal.
4. I have some after market pipes on the bike (not sure what make or model). Where on the pipes might I find the make/model and should I consider putting the stock pipes back on?
With any luck, you should be able to see the information you are looking for on the bottom or the back side of the exhaust pipes. If the bike has after market pipes on it now then a previous owner has probably made upgrades to the air intake and exhaust and re-jetted the carburetor to help the bike run more efficiently. If you decide to put the original stock pipes back on, you will have to re-jet the carburetor back to the stock jets and change the air intake back to the stock unit as well. Spending good money to make the bike run poorly is not a very bright idea to me, unless you really want to ride a stock Harley like it came from the factory.
5. I am struggling to get the mirrors to adjust properly so that I can see behind me. They seem awfully low. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance.
The flipped mirror trick seems to be a pretty popular thing to do and it is a FREE mod. Please make sure to check that the mirrors do not touch the gas tank when the handlebars are turned from one handlebar stop to the other handlebar stop. I ride with a full face helmet and it can be limiting to some side peripheral vision and that might interfere some with looking at the mirrors now that they are under the handlebars. It just takes some getting use to is all. Good luck and ride safe out there!
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