When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So I got an 883 from my moms new boyfriend for 2k (trying to buy my trust? Haha). Its a 95, 12,700miles, not sure what all has been done to it. Looking to see about upgrading the air filter and jets, but not wanting to spend $150 on a kit! Is there a cheaper alternative, or is that the best choice? When I get some pictures tomorrow or in the next few days I will post them. I think it may be mostly stock just not sure. Having to replace the grips, passenger pegs, and shifter peg, and it came with a 1up seat, and forward controls...
Sounds like a great deal, 1995 is a good year from what I've read. Please post up some photos, you may already have some upgrades installed. You can rejet for less than $10 if necessary. A pilot jet and main jet should do it.
It looks like you have aftermarket drag pipes, I think '95 still had crossover pipe below the air filter. Pull the cover off the aircleaner and let's see if it has an SE upgrade already, no reason to spend $150 if someone already did.
Looks like a bigger tank, chrome oil tank, and some other cosmetic goodies have been added. A good deal for a nice bike for sure. Ifyou can, take a look under the carb near the intake manifold. There will be a little metal plug over your mixture screw if it hasn't been messed with. If the plug is gone, your jetting may have already been changed and idle mix re-adjusted. What do the spark plugs look like?
John
Last edited by John Harper; Mar 30, 2014 at 01:52 PM.
A carbed sporty with drag pipes that never backfires at low rpm or shifting probably has a larger low speed jet already; that's the only one you need to change unless you're running wide open a lot (unlikely). Factory setups are so lean almost any less restricted pipes will make them run too lean and rough. If the jet has been upgraded, the mixture screw should be sufficient for adding a different air cleaner. Not saying do it or not, just an observation - that 883 will run smoother with more useable torque with stock pipes in most riding situations, but not if they've had the baffles knocked out, and if it has a larger idle jet, that will work fine with anything up to and including stock pipes, too. Harleys need some back pressure for low and mid range power, and that's where most of our riding is.
Well I notice it kinda bogs down when I goose it, but it seems fine after I ride it a while. Today I noticed what sounded like a hollow metallic pinging noise as I was riding through town, but seemed to only be when coasting, and some jerky acceleration in 1st. I'm betting it needs the carb cleaned, and tuned. I'm pretty new to motorcycles, obviously.
My moms man said he rebuilt the carb when he got it (wasnt running) and changed the plugs. I've yet to dig in deep and start checking everything though...second shift sucks.
Well I notice it kinda bogs down when I goose it, but it seems fine after I ride it a while. Today I noticed what sounded like a hollow metallic pinging noise as I was riding through town, but seemed to only be when coasting, and some jerky acceleration in 1st. I'm betting it needs the carb cleaned, and tuned. I'm pretty new to motorcycles, obviously.
My moms man said he rebuilt the carb when he got it (wasnt running) and changed the plugs. I've yet to dig in deep and start checking everything though...second shift sucks.
Sporties are cold blooded, even on fairly warm days they can like a little bit of the enrichment valve (commonly called choke, although it isn't really on a sporty). Just pull it till the rpm's rise a little, and leave it that way for a mile. It'll often vibrate back in by itself, too. The pinging in coasting, can't think of a reason at the moment. On an 883, it's been my experience you just about have to use the clutch to throttle up after you've backed off in first, and sometimes second. There's not much flywheel effect with an 883, and the engine backs off and revs up quick, causes that jerking when you give it throttle from idle. My 1200 isn't as bad about it, and big twin throttle action is smooth, their heavier engine rotating mass gives them a lot more flywheel effect to smooth speed transitions. If you're in real slow traffic in first, even second gear, try pulling the clutch and then throttle up as if you'd just changed gears, it'll be smooth - and you won't lug and pound the drivetrain like it does when it jerks.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.