Will Either Be Very Good or Very Bad ?

[ed_in_az]

My bike shipped Tuesday!:clap

Since I ordered it (883 Standard) and listed off what I wanted added to it and sold with it, the saleman has relayed the flak back to me from the Service Manager about my only wanting the jets changed, when going SE A/C and pipes. He wants to do a Thunderslide Kit on it. I've pushed back in every conversation since those are not intended for the 883.

When I called today, I asked the saleman if Service Guy was OK with what I wanted. He said he was going to have me sign a waiver to the effect that he did what I asked instead of his recommendation. Well, :censor .

I challenged salesman to LOOK for a Thunderslide kit advertised for an 883. He called back and said there isn't one, but that they have worked up a modified version(different jets, and ?) of the 1200 kit and Dyno tested it for the 883 and that it is the hot setup. I will of course retain all the stock parts.

So... I guess this could be very good or very bad, or anywhere in between. Anyway, I gave in. It's another $140.:madtwo I'll report on how this '05 runs compared to my former '03 with only rejetting.

[barry1967]

Don't waste your money. A properly jetted 883 is all you need. Do a search and you'll find similar views on this subject.

[raysheen]

so they really want you to use the thunderslide kit...hmm...I wonder why that is...maybe because it's $140!! :D
Seriously though, I find it a little bit odd that they want you to sign a waiver just to do a simple rejet as opposed to their recommended thunderslide

[barry1967]

Good point ray,

Let's see now. A waiver to replace factory jets and no waiver to install aftermarket thunderslide?

That makes no sense. Except of course the 140 bucks in their pocket.

[sportsterrific]

Huh? what kinda crap are they telling you? Look around- a rejet is all you need with the SE air and exhaust. Oh well, I bet your dealer has a nice car and house.

[ed_in_az]

I agree with everyone here too. Maybe what I should push for is a guarantee that if I'm not satisified I can return their kit for my $140 back. If I can tell a positive difference compared to my old bike, which ran fine, that would be good. More HP, better performance is always good. Whether it's worth the $$$ is another issue.

[Shark Doctor]

Here's a thought... call me crazy, but do you have a choice of local dealers? Why not get another POV (unless you feel obligated to your site of purchase). Sounds a bit ridiculous to me.

[pquirk]

Is it too late? Just tell 'em to forget it. Take the bike stock and go elsewhere for what you want, those people are shafting you and don't deserve your $$$.

[ed_in_az]

I've already got my deposit down and they did order it for me. It will either run great or I'll show them what pissed off really means.:D

[albe]

Which dealer, Ed?

[pquirk]

I've already got my deposit down and they did order it for me. It will either run great or I'll show them what pissed off really means.But they don't have to do the mods when it arrives, right. Take the bike and give someone more deserving the cash for the mods or do it yourself.

[willprevale]

Don't waste your money. A properly jetted 883 is all you need. Do a search and you'll find similar views on this subject.
What he said!!

[ed_in_az]

It's coming from Superstition HD. I bought my old one from Stubbs and they said they put in a dynojet kit. There was still one jet I later changed that was left stock. I don't remember which. I just sent an e-mail inquiring if I could return the thunderslide for a refund if I'm not satisfied.

[ed_in_az]

I guess I could have just bought the jets to do it all myself, but I don't want any questions about them honoring my warrantee later.

[883Hugger]

I would challenge them and tell them you are going to take it to a different dealer to have the jetting done. See if that changes their tune at all.

[klown]

I've already got my deposit down and they did order it for me. It will either run great or I'll show them what pissed off really means.:D

They don't care if you're pissed off, especially after they already got your money. Just do it yourself and save some heartache. If you are worried about the warranty, just do it after the warranty expires

[ed_in_az]

I'm pretty confident about installing stuff myself. I've pulled a Sporty carb apart before. So if I tell the dealer to just turn me loose with the SE parts and jets, well, have y'all got my back on this if I get stumped on getting my bike running smooth again?

[jwb47]

I havent ever had anything break until the warranty runs out any way. I bought the screamin eagle dyna-jet kit and installed it my self changed the spring drilled the slide done the needle and jets . it was 72.00. the wrenches at the dealership told me to completly install the kit per instructions and if I had any problems they would sort it out for me. I think you need to find a different dealer.

[ed_in_az]

Here's the response to my e-mail about returning the thunderslide if I'm not satisfied:


Those parts would not be returnable, I'll have the guys install whatever you wish.
Service feels very strongly about the parts that they have recommended. They don't
want to sell you something that you may have trouble with. They like happy customers too!
What they're suggesting they have tested (on a Dyno) and have performed on many bikes over the years. The mechanics have learned what works here in Arizona through experience.
So just let me know what you would like to do Ed.

Is there a chance this could indeed work well???

If so, I can afford it (sort of), and I'm willing to be a guniea pig. "We" might learn some new tuning tricks. What say ye?

[raysheen]

Is there a chance this could indeed work well???

If so, I can afford it (sort of), and I'm willing to be a guniea pig. "We" might learn some new tuning tricks. What say ye?

I, personally, would still not do it, but that's just me...they are making a rejet sound like the black arts and something that is not well understood...in fact it is not a black art and it is very well understood...I'm sure that they do know what works in their area, but I'm also sure that other people can get very good results (in that area) with just a simple rejet. They are probably very used to talking people into buying thunderslides and, as a result, they are very comfortable putting them in and tuning them so in some ways I can see their point and if you don't mind spending $140 on it then what the heck give it a try...I mean whatever makes you happy is what you should do...I'm just saying that I think that I would rather spend the money elsewhere.

[klown]

Here's the response to my e-mail about returning the thunderslide if I'm not satisfied:


Those parts would not be returnable, I'll have the guys install whatever you wish.
Service feels very strongly about the parts that they have recommended. They don't
want to sell you something that you may have trouble with. They like happy customers too!
What they're suggesting they have tested (on a Dyno) and have performed on many bikes over the years. The mechanics have learned what works here in Arizona through experience.
So just let me know what you would like to do Ed.

Is there a chance this could indeed work well???

If so, I can afford it (sort of), and I'm willing to be a guniea pig. "We" might learn some new tuning tricks. What say ye?


There is nothing wrong with the thunderslide kit. It's just expensive, I don't think you will be dissapointed with the performance. Supposedly you get a tad bit better throttle response, so it may be worth it to you. I can tell you that we got your back and will help you through many problems.

[883Hugger]

If you do it yourself and run into troubles I can guarantee you many people on this forum will have your back and help you out. I would be glad to help you out too, if I knew what I was doing, :) but I haven't done the rejet on my carb yet. I will be doing it in a couple of weeks. I have an 883 and I will be putting the SE filter on along with free flowing exhaust. The dealer I ordered my parts from recommended I just buy the jets and said the dynojet kit is a waste of money. I think it helps that my parts guy is a sporty owner, and he is extremely helpful and reliable when it comes to dealing with him.

[ed_in_az]

I called and talked to the service manager. He swears his setup is gonna be good. So:

1. It's only $$$ :eek:

2. It's under warranty, and the dealer is doing the job. ;)

3. If there are any problems, it's the service manger's baby! :laugh

I will report on the results. :tour

[thunderpaw]

I will add my two cents to those who feel that the Thunderslide kit is not necessary. If you are comfy inside the Sporty carb, you certainly can rejet it yourself for small change. Your dealer sounds like the "If we can't dazzle 'em with brilliance...let's baffle 'em with bullshit" kind of shop. If their wrenches were worth a salt, they could get you going with small parts only. And...I'm sure that they are really that good...but they can probably get more flat rate off of a Thunderslide install than they can swapping jets and possibly shimming a needle.
Then there is the fuel mileage issue...does the Thunderslide adversely affect it?
I have heard rumblings to that effect, but nothing concrete.
Consider just taking the bike, stock, and riding it for awhile...before committing to alterations. You may like it just the way it is. Or you may come up with other things to change that can be done in coordination with your other changes.
Bottom line: enjoy your new bike-we got yer back! :clap

Kim

[txsporty]

ed_in_az

I'd go with the simple re-jet and save some $$$$ for better things!!!! :D

You'll be happy with just the re-jet!!! :clap :clap

My .02

[rottenralph]

Ed your money is already on the table so maybe you should ask for a free dyno run so they can show you the power of their knowledge. It might actually do something special and we are nay sayers. That said, Let us know how the run goes. Try to get something out of this since your money is already spent. Don't let all this negative turn your new purchase to crap. Get the slide get the dyno run and remember the lesson. Enough said.

[CROW]

If they are so proud make them do a dyno run before and after with you there to see the results.
I agree for the money I would buy the jets and change them myself. The extra cost of the thunderslide kit isn't worth it. I have jetted a BigTwin and did the thunderslide kit in a BigTwin. Both were jeted correctly. Both ran GREAT. I had a few buddies ride both not knowing which was jetted and which had the kit. No one could tell the difference. I will just jet a bike myself from now on unless I have a full MOD bike.

[P-Diddly]

Here Here, J Crawford. For $140, they better throw in a dyno run.

[ed_in_az]

If the bike runs good, I'm gonna be happy. If not, the shop better get it right since they pitched the "kit" and I paid for it. Plus, I have been waiting sooooo looooong for this machine to come in, I just want to pick it up and ride and ride some more. With what I have the shop doing to it, all I'll have to do is add the LePera seat I bought and passenger peg kit to take my wife out too. At my leisure I can setup the HD sissy bar/backrest/rack and the drag specialties pullback risers, laydown plate, and order a windshield. I know I can do without a full 1200, but I do want an 883 that rocks. :) ...and I want it now!

[gamhill]

My bike shipped Tuesday!:clap
...
When I called today, I asked the saleman if Service Guy was OK with what I wanted. He said he was going to have me sign a waiver to the effect that he did what I asked instead of his recommendation. Well, :censor .



I think the service guy is blowing smoke. The waiver is BS, just trying to get you spend you money. If it's not approved, written on the service order, they can't charge you for it.

I've never used the Thunderjet, can't speak for them, all I know is what I've read about them.

Listen to the others when they say re-jet. In the past, H-D had to lean the engine to meet EPA specs. From some of the posts I've seen lately, some of the newer models 04, 05 owners have reported finding larger jets.

There are couple different ways to get there, another option is to the use the needle from an 88-1200. This model didn't have an accelrator pump, so the taper is different to make up for it. I use this in my 03-883, with 42/165 jets.

Jetting and airflow improvements will give you your best value per dollar, over stock. Plus a too lean air cooled engine tends to run hotter.