Another fng needs some help!
I'd appreciate any input, suggestions, hints, or tricks you guys would be willing to share. Bike is a bone stock '96xl 883 w/ 12000 easy miles on the clock. The goal is simple. 1+ horsepower per cubic inch within a useable real world power band of say, 2k to 6.5k rpm.
Here's the plan so far:
Stock heads w/
Larger valves and some light professional head work
KB or Wiseco 1200 pistons. 9.5/1 max. I don't wanna worry about octane.

Cams? Leaning toward Andrews N2 or maybe N4.
Exhaust? I'm clueless. Any ideas?
Ignition. Is the 883 a useable setup?
I'm gonna work with the stock CV carb. Any issues besides jetting?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts. I gotta get my late self to work......

sage

As far as exhaust goes, I would say 2 into 1 for what you want to acheive.

The easiest way to do it is go with a set of Buell Thunderstorm heads, Thunderstorm pistons and a set of SE .497" lift bolt in cams. Add a Yost jet kit to the stock CV40 or a Mikuni HSR42 carb. You definitely want to use a 2 into 1 exhaust. With this setop you'll be in the 80 to 85rwhp range. I have seen Thunderstorm heads go for as little as $300 a set. Check ebay for good deals. Buell parts are cheap!

S Won

Checkout this site:
http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/hplist_evo_sporty_stock.htm
Select 'MotorCycle Performance Guide'
In the right hand column you'll see 'Performance Gallery' - select 'sportster'.
You will find a large chart of mods performed on various 883/1200s resulting in HP output ranging from 45 to 103.
Have Fun
Bob

Sorry - that link I sent will take you right to the chart
Bob

74 HP? Very simple task:) Here are a coupe of tips though in your current thinking.

1. Stock CV carb is plenty, just rejet
2. If you go with N4 or SE .497" lift cams, then go with 10:1 compression pistons. If you go with the N2's then stick with closer to 9:1 compression pistons.
3. Bone stock 883 heads are capable of 74 hp. But since you have a fair amount of miles on them, I'd recommend they at least be freshened up like you stated.
4. Stock 883 ignition is fine (I'm pretty sure it is the same one as in my 2000). It has a 6000 rpm rev limiter (but will pull to 6200 before it actually kicks in). If you go with either the N4, SE 497, or N2's this rev limit is fine.
5. Pipes? Well that depends on what you have right now. If you are running drag pipes, then yep, you are going to want to buy a pipe. Personally I like the Thunderheader 2-1, especially with the SE 497 cams. If you have Cycle Shack slipons, you might just want to try those first as they have a good balance for power.

Thank you all for the input. Rather than chase down the individual components, I'm considering a 'performance package' deal from 'Short Block Charlie' at Motorcycle Machine in AZ. He's got a pretty good rep w/ the big twin high perf crowd.

Anybody here heard anything I oughta know?

nhrs, they are the sportster guys for anything performance

You won't need anything from NRHS to get 74rwhp. The easiest way to get there is to just get stock Buell parts. The stock Buell Thunderstorm heads already have what you are looking for. Bigger valves and intake ports. The SBC parts will set you back more than the stock Buell parts will. Again Buell parts are cheap on ebay.

Buell stock Thunderstorm heads
Buell Thunderstorm pistons
Bore your stock cylinders
Screamin' Eagle .497" cams (come stock in Thunderstorm engined Buells)
Yost Power Tube jet kit

With these parts you're in the 80rwhp range! I have a set of stock length pushrods from my Buell that are all you need to set the engine up properly. Contact me and I'll send them to you, free of charge. The stock pushrod tubes from your 883 will work perfectly, same with the stock lifters. You DO NOT need adjustable pushrods, adjustable pushrod tubes, custom pistons, forged exotic conversion pistons, ported heads or any parts like these for an engine in this power range. Trust me on this! I have already built a couple of engines over 100rwhp. One at 120rwhp. 74rwhp isn't anything! The new engine I'm building right now, is somewhat exotic with STD XR heads, custom Red Shift high lift cams, and Nikasil cylinders. It's just a mild engine with around 110rwhp and dual carbs.

S Won

You're undoubtedly right re the Buell parts, S Won. But I wanted this project finished, tuned, and broke in in by 12/1. (My favorite test jockey nephew is due home from Iraq next week, and he's gonna need a 'loaner')
I decided to go with the SBC package. N4's and a set of trick, ported, big valve heads set to 9.5/1 w/ Wiseco flat tops.
Still tinkering w/ jets, ignition timing, plugs, and VOES in an effort to eliminate some light pinging at hard midrange throttle openings, but my 'seat of the pants' dyno indicates the 1/1 goal has been acheived. And then some....:)

Thanks for the good advice,
sage

ps 110 rwhp? you're a madman, and I want one too.......

A madman! Nah, 110rwhp is pretty easy to do also. The last setup for my S1W was from NRHS. The parts included a set of Stage 3 CNC-ported XL1200R heads that flowed 180cfms. It used Axtell 1250cc Nikasil cylinders, 30 degree forged piston, .585" Rde Shift cams, A Buell race intake manifold and a Mikuni HSR45 carb. NRHS reports their M2 test mule with this exact setup made 125rwhp. I decided to build the Street Tracker so the kit was sold. It would have been a great engine.

The new engine is more exotic because of the XR heads and the dual carbs. It will have a lower horsepower yield because the Street Tracker just doesn't need much more that 100 horses at the rear wheel. It weighs 100 lbs less than the Buell did, at just about 300 lbs. Anything more and it will be scarey fast. I might have posted this before. Sorry, if I did! I'm just excited about it!

S Won