Ordered a new Norton (motorcycle)

[bofh]

Sweet bike.

TSC says you need to come to the chat more often. irc.zirc.org #automags

Chat, eh? perhaps I should waste some time there.

Good times, good times.

[Ole Unka Phil]

SCORE!!!!!

I went over to the Guys house I bought my sporty from yesterday to retrieve the Belt guards so I could put them back on before I had the bags in the way.... and what do I score?

A 1200cc HD top end with less than 500 miles on it. Complete. For $800 I got the following:

1200cc cyclinders
1200cc Pistons, rings and wrist pins
1200cc Screaming Eagle heads
A set of Screaming Eagle II Slip on Mufflers
another 40mm CV Carb set up for the 1200cc set up complete with manifold.

And the Dino sheet for same showing that set up making 68 HP. All the stuff in like new mint condition. A 2 grand value. Bolt on simple upgrade set up. All I need now is a gasket set and some new circlips and I am up close to 25 HP more.

The guy has a need for speed. He was not satisfied almost immediately with this set up and he took it back apart and went 1440. He is now at about 90 HP.

I already put the Mufflers on. Awesome sound. Not too loud but much better than stock. But not offensive. These slip ons are becoming rare due to EPA emmissions and all that. Harley has discontinued them and they are about to be out of them.

[Bear_Claw]

Damn congrats on the AWSOEM deal. Wish i had that kinda luck.

After doing a little more reading the sportys only 4" shorter and like 1" or 2" narrower than my V-star. And the amount of TQ the 1200 sportster makes compared to the Yamaha is AMAZING.

Price wise their pretty close. The only thing i dont like about the harley is its belt drive were as i like the shaft drive of my V-Star but for 20lbs of TQ i think i can deal with the belt. Pluse the harley engeins rubbe mounted witch should help the vib probs like my V-star has past 70mph.

Now i have something too shoot for just gotta save up the cash now LOL. I just got a HUGE raise i was not counting on so that should help.

I also NEVER buy new always at least a year or two old. Im a mehcanic for a living so im pretty good at avoiding the bad deals out their. BUt with the harley i dont want anyhing older than a 04 that way its therubber mounted engein.

[Ole Unka Phil]

Well thats one of the attractions of the Sportster. There is more likelyhood of running into a deal like that. For instance I see a cylinder kit for the 883 to 1200 conversion right now on eBay for 500. Not the heads and carb and slip on but in fact you can use your 883s' there. You don't really have to do the heads and you can rejet your carb as is.


There are a few more things your going to like as well. Little things not evident until you actually do see one in person. Like the oil tank dip stick and the self canceling turn signals and the positions of everything.

And perhaps a few you like on the Yamaha. I am certain there will be some things well thought out.

Then look at the aftermarket costs of any accessories and thier availability...

...and resale if that matters. Shouldn't really as you seem to keep a bike a good while. But... one never knows.

Then agonize over which of those is more important for a while. Thats the fun of it!

So do take your time and decide what fits ya. See if you can take a test drive.

[punkncat]

That is nice especially considering it came with the heads...thats a value in itself.

With the new slip ons you will want to adjust your jets before you get some yellowing on your pipes. The stock carb is the same on the 883 as the 1200, just 180 jets on the 1200, instead of 140's I think...I would have to check my shop guide.

I have the Screaming Eagle pipes, ignition, and K&N's intake kit on my 883. I removed the baffles and rejetted up to the 180's...it took that much to eliminate lean pop from idle. It runs a bit rich, but my pipes aren't bluing anymore. Really the only thing I would like to do at this point is to upgrade to a 6sp. gear box. I am always trying to get a larger gear at highway speed.


On a side note...those Yamaha's are extremely upgradable. A buddy of mine has a V Star that he has done an amazing amount of work on. Won best in class in three of four shows he has taken it to.

[Bear_Claw]

Yeah the yammy is a Good bike and all but i deffinatly wanting a tad more power now (i bought this bike last year). I figure il ride this seasone then buy a new bike on the off season. My yammy will still be here though as ill just hand it down to my mother and her bike to my sister. Its major draw for me was the carbed air cooled V-twin. the Shaft drive was also nice and it too has self canceling turn signals (rare on an econo bike). The 1100 vershion is esentially the same bike just with the bigger engien an take.

BUT as your saying looking through the parts catalogs EVERYTHING is expensive for it and compared to the harleys thiers no were NERE as wide a selection still decent but far from the harly.

The other thing i like about the sportster is the speedo being handelbar mounted apposed to in the tank like my v-star. I also like the look narrower V engein and the 80lbs of TQ at 3500rpm.

But untill i ride one i still cant decide. Thiers a bunch of demo rides on the large rides ill be attending so ill deffinatly take a look untill then good riding.

[punkncat]

Its a shame you are in Canada....I have intrest in selling my Sporty. I would like to get a sports tourer....

[Ole Unka Phil]

That is nice especially considering it came with the heads...thats a value in itself.

With the new slip ons you will want to adjust your jets before you get some yellowing on your pipes. The stock carb is the same on the 883 as the 1200, just 180 jets on the 1200, instead of 140's I think...I would have to check my shop guide.

I have the Screaming Eagle pipes, ignition, and K&N's intake kit on my 883. I removed the baffles and rejetted up to the 180's...it took that much to eliminate lean pop from idle. It runs a bit rich, but my pipes aren't bluing anymore. Really the only thing I would like to do at this point is to upgrade to a 6sp. gear box. I am always trying to get a larger gear at highway speed.


On a side note...those Yamaha's are extremely upgradable. A buddy of mine has a V Star that he has done an amazing amount of work on. Won best in class in three of four shows he has taken it to.

I was going to upjet but a plug chop and my oil temps are telling me not too. I think its because I have not done the Air Filter yet. I am getting sound now but not really any performance boost because of that. Which is fine because at the moment I don't have the jet laid in. I do plan to get the range I need. So I am not taking in any more air in than before. Plus I read somewhere that the new rubber mounts are being found a bit rich from factory. Not lean like the earlier models were commonly. I found that odd but can't confirm it.

The information I am finding seems to indicate the 883 is stock a 160 Main. And a 40 Low speed. And commonly upjetting to 165 and or 170 and sometimes even along with a 45 low when the Filter is upgraded along with the pipes. At least thats what I am reading anyway. I need to take a look at that spare carb and see if he had a stocker there or not for that 1200. I figured no matter its alway good to have a spare carb. I found one reference showing a 175 stock in the 1200cc.

All I know now is the Dino sheet he had done. It Dino'd at a tad over 68.

Yes the Yamaha is upgradable. But there is a narrow expensive path. Not as likely to stumble across a deal with those.

[Ole Unka Phil]

Its a shame you are in Canada....I have intrest in selling my Sporty. I would like to get a sports tourer....

Have you looked at the Street Glide? Impressive bike. Stripped down full bagger. Pricey but not as pricey as they used to be. I think around 17K.

[Ole Unka Phil]

Yeah the yammy is a Good bike and all but i deffinatly wanting a tad more power now (i bought this bike last year). I figure il ride this seasone then buy a new bike on the off season. My yammy will still be here though as ill just hand it down to my mother and her bike to my sister. Its major draw for me was the carbed air cooled V-twin. the Shaft drive was also nice and it too has self canceling turn signals (rare on an econo bike). The 1100 vershion is esentially the same bike just with the bigger engien an take.

BUT as your saying looking through the parts catalogs EVERYTHING is expensive for it and compared to the harleys thiers no were NERE as wide a selection still decent but far from the harly.

The other thing i like about the sportster is the speedo being handelbar mounted apposed to in the tank like my v-star. I also like the look narrower V engein and the 80lbs of TQ at 3500rpm.

But untill i ride one i still cant decide. Thiers a bunch of demo rides on the large rides ill be attending so ill deffinatly take a look untill then good riding.

Just remember there is more there to be had with a simple slip on and an air filter upgrade. Same thing with the Yamy and Suzuki. they almost always detuned for emmissions.

The only thing I do not like that harley is doing is this new Boutique atmosphere and some of the arse holes that ride them and nothing else. Nothing turns me off more than a bike snob. But thats not as common as is perceived. And its certainly not the bikes fault. However some newer dealers perpetuate that. Old ones seem to be more at peace with it all. Do not buy from a snooty dealer. They do exist. Go over to the XL forums and read about dealers and find one thats good.

[punkncat]

I just found the book on my 96 and its got 160 mains on the 883 and 179 mains on the 1200. The slow jets are the same on both at 42. I couldn't remember exactly what it was, its been a few years since I did the upgrade. I know I am running the 180 now anyway.

The K&N set was a nice upgrade. The only thing I don't like is that I get a little nosebleed from the umbrella valves. I have to deal with a bit of oil spatter down the right side of the bike.

True that there are many parts readily available used for the Harley....especially if you own one a few years old. Heck I think most anything from the early-mid 90's up to 03, or whenever the model change was, will fit one another.

To be honest for the type of riding I generally do the Sporty is more than adequate. I just really dislike the fact that to step up into a more powerful, and roomier American bike is such a cost. There are bikes that offer much more for a considerable amount less money. In my case I think I would rather buy something that performs and looks the way I want out of the box and leave it alone.

[Ole Unka Phil]

Lets see... belt versus Shaft.... a continuing debate. Each seems to have its advantages and disadvantages. Shaft twist (hesitation at quick acceleration) is a common complaint with them. But I think its overblown. I have had good luck with the belts so far. The Savage has one. I have heard of people doing close to 100K with these belts and no problems. I dunno. It's a trade off. They are not too bad really. I don't think its a make or break situation in your choice. I think you would be happy with either. So don't let that be too heavy in your selection criteria. Certainly Chain is out. Too much maintenance and too short a life for both chain and sprocket I think. Of course that depends on condition and maintenance.

[punkncat]

Lets see... belt versus Shaft.... a continuing debate. Each seems to have its advantages and disadvantages. Shaft twist (hesitation at quick acceleration) is a common complaint with them. But I think its overblown. I have had good luck with the belts so far. The Savage has one. I have heard of people doing close to 100K with these belts and no problems. I dunno. It's a trade off. They are not too bad really. I don't think its a make or break situation in your choice. I think you would be happy with either. So don't let that be too heavy in your selection criteria. Certainly Chain is out. Too much maintenance and too short a life for both chain and sprocket I think. Of course that depends on condition and maintenance.

I definatly have to say shaft on this one. Not to get in a pissing match of course, but shafts are very maintainance free. Just change the dope from time to time.

[Ole Unka Phil]

I just found the book on my 96 and its got 160 mains on the 883 and 179 mains on the 1200. The slow jets are the same on both at 42. I couldn't remember exactly what it was, its been a few years since I did the upgrade. I know I am running the 180 now anyway.

The K&N set was a nice upgrade. The only thing I don't like is that I get a little nosebleed from the umbrella valves. I have to deal with a bit of oil spatter down the right side of the bike.

True that there are many parts readily available used for the Harley....especially if you own one a few years old. Heck I think most anything from the early-mid 90's up to 03, or whenever the model change was, will fit one another.

To be honest for the type of riding I generally do the Sporty is more than adequate. I just really dislike the fact that to step up into a more powerful, and roomier American bike is such a cost. There are bikes that offer much more for a considerable amount less money. In my case I think I would rather buy something that performs and looks the way I want out of the box and leave it alone.

There is no doubt that the Japanese still have an edge out of the box. And a tad edge in performance out of the box. However the gap of cost has narrowed considerably. And so has the performace edge. Economics and all that. So depends on what you want to do with it and all that. The problem the Japanese bikes need to address is thier tendency to change things so often. So they can entice aftermarket companies to commit to an upgrade product line. I mean even the new Rubber mounts still share some upgrade applications. And the aftermarket companies are comfortable going ahead and making the upgrade stuff because they know the tradition of the market is solid.

[Ole Unka Phil]

I definatly have to say shaft on this one. Not to get in a pissing match of course, but shafts are very maintainance free. Just change the dope from time to time.

There is very little maintenance on a Belt. Wash it when you do the bike... tension it every so often. Once its streatched in at first it is stable. I did my Savage once and have yet to have to adjust it again. The Sporty seems to be following that line.

Not pissin... just adding the other side of the coin.