883 Project
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Springboro, OH
883 Project
I purchased my first HD about 3 weeks ago. It is a 97 883 Sporty and only has 3100 miles on it. I have gone out with a few friends with much bigger bikes and barely been able to keep up. As I am not trying to build a race bike but I am not ok with being walked on, I have begun a project build. I have ordered he following to try and at least keep up. RC Components Intake, NRHS 1250 kit, and Samson Shortys. According to the NHRS site that should put me around 74-80whp.
Three questions:
1. Will I at least be able to hang with my buds and their 96" 88whp motors?
2. Can you have a carbureted bike Dyno Tuned?
3. I am going to retard timing 4*'s and jet up to 45/180. Do I need a new ignition box for more spark or is the stock one capable enough?
Thanks in advance for helping out a rookie HD guy!
Three questions:
1. Will I at least be able to hang with my buds and their 96" 88whp motors?
2. Can you have a carbureted bike Dyno Tuned?
3. I am going to retard timing 4*'s and jet up to 45/180. Do I need a new ignition box for more spark or is the stock one capable enough?
Thanks in advance for helping out a rookie HD guy!
What do you mean by keeping up? Just on the straights or off the line? That I get, but if you're talking about canyon carving theres no reason you wouldn't be able to keep up other than rider ability. I ride my 883 with pretty much nothing but dynes, I keep up and often end up way out ahead when were hitting the twisties.
Your upgrades will help you get them off the line for a one or two gears, but after that they'll still pass you up. I'd suggest a good two into one pipe like a thunderheader for more hp out of your set up. The shorties will sound good but cost you a good amount of compaired to a 2->1
Your upgrades will help you get them off the line for a one or two gears, but after that they'll still pass you up. I'd suggest a good two into one pipe like a thunderheader for more hp out of your set up. The shorties will sound good but cost you a good amount of compaired to a 2->1
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 566
Likes: 4
From: Milton, PA
My Dad told me as a kid, there is no substitute for cubic inches. He was talking about cars and it was the early 80's. Now a days we see all kinds of power coming from small engines. However, the Moco isn't exactly producing the most modern engines in the motorcycle universe. So Dad's old logic still hold true to me. I ride the most with a Super Glide. I'm out gunned 74 to 96 but I can keep up in normal spirited riding. Between 20 and 80 mph things are pretty interesting, north of 80 and his Ci's and extra gear are unmatchable. But seriously, how much time are you going to spend north of 80 mph unless you on the open road cruisin?
You may want to think about changing your pulley to the 1200 set up so you don't run out of gear with your new found power.
You may want to think about changing your pulley to the 1200 set up so you don't run out of gear with your new found power.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
1) Yes, you will be able to keep up, and you should be able to keep up with them right now. You might just need to wind it out some more. The 883 is capable of reaching north of 100mph.
2) Yes, you can put a carb bike on dyno to change up the jets and maximize the motor output.
3) No, you shouldn't need a new ignition, but it would never hurt to upgrade.
2) Yes, you can put a carb bike on dyno to change up the jets and maximize the motor output.
3) No, you shouldn't need a new ignition, but it would never hurt to upgrade.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
1) Yes, you will be able to keep up, and you should be able to keep up with them right now. You might just need to wind it out some more. The 883 is capable of reaching north of 100mph.
2) Yes, you can put a carb bike on dyno to change up the jets and maximize the motor output.
3) No, you shouldn't need a new ignition, but it would never hurt to upgrade.
2) Yes, you can put a carb bike on dyno to change up the jets and maximize the motor output.
3) No, you shouldn't need a new ignition, but it would never hurt to upgrade.
5. An aftermarket ignition module will give you better advance curves than the EPA set-up your stock ignition system has.
6. Leave your timing alone, I can see no benefit of messing with it!
7. If you go with a 1250 kit a dyno tune would be a great idea, to optimise it's performance.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 11
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From: Springboro, OH
4. I hope you have new rubber on that bike and aren't using the tyres it had when it was new! Brand New Rubber
5. An aftermarket ignition module will give you better advance curves than the EPA set-up your stock ignition system has. Suggestions on aftermarket ignitions?
6. Leave your timing alone, I can see no benefit of messing with it! I was instucted by Dan @ NRHS to retard timing 4* and re-jet.
7. If you go with a 1250 kit a dyno tune would be a great idea, to optimise it's performance.
5. An aftermarket ignition module will give you better advance curves than the EPA set-up your stock ignition system has. Suggestions on aftermarket ignitions?
6. Leave your timing alone, I can see no benefit of messing with it! I was instucted by Dan @ NRHS to retard timing 4* and re-jet.
7. If you go with a 1250 kit a dyno tune would be a great idea, to optimise it's performance.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Springboro, OH
1) Yes, you will be able to keep up, and you should be able to keep up with them right now. You might just need to wind it out some more. The 883 is capable of reaching north of 100mph. I am able to hang with them till we get on the highway, then even wide open an wound out, they walk on me. This is not my first bike, just my first HD. I have been riding "crotch rockets" since I turned 17, trust me I will ride the bike to the edge of it's capabiliy and then some.
2) Yes, you can put a carb bike on dyno to change up the jets and maximize the motor output. Looking for a tuner in Dayton OH...
3) No, you shouldn't need a new ignition, but it would never hurt to upgrade.
2) Yes, you can put a carb bike on dyno to change up the jets and maximize the motor output. Looking for a tuner in Dayton OH...
3) No, you shouldn't need a new ignition, but it would never hurt to upgrade.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 431
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From: St. Louis, MO
You should be able to keep up just fine riding an 883. Don't be afraid of giving it some throttle. You're probably just being too delicate with the throttle. You may need to wind it up to 4k but it should have the power to keep up.
-Beer
-Beer
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Brookshire, TX
I installed the NRHS 1250 kit on my 883 for the same reason. My buddy has a V-Rod. I can keep up with him just fine now. If I may make a suggestion though. Change your clutch an cams at the same time though. It's cheaper to do the cams the same time as the 1250 kit because you already have the bike apart. I had to change the clutch on mine after about 150 miles because it kept slipping. That 883 clutch was never meant to handle that much torque ad HP.
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