I'm new to Harleys so I need some advice. I guess I'm posting this b/c I was about to buy a '07 Roadster until I found out it was injected. Being the first and only year for injection on a Sportster I'm afraid the aftermarket might not do much for it and I might be better off with a carb'd bike. From what I have seen on here it looks like '04 and up is disireable for the heads, but what else should I consider?

Also, since low 11's is prolly gonna require some significant changes under the hood is there any reason to go with a 1200 over a 883? Is everything about the two bikes truly the same except the jugs?

Why low 11's you ask? I used to turn 11.2's consistently on my '98 ZX-6 and I wanna to do it on a Harley now.

I'd buy a pre rubber mount 883 for a platform. It would be less expensive and more performance oriented with a solid mount engine and maybe a few more exhaust choices.

NRHS can tweak an 883 to 1250ccs w/out splitting the cases. I know Aaron has gotten about 120 HP out of one. It wasn't great for street riding, but with 120 HP, you'll be happy with the 1/4 mile times.

Of course you could always split the cases and have a 90" monster. But I'd still give the solid mount engine a close look.

I'm not nearly as perfomance oriented as some on the board, but I too would choose a pre 04 883 if I wanted a street strip type bike...you can get one for less $$ and since you are planning major engine work you might as well go with the 883...no since paying the extra for the 1200 and doing away with what you just paid for...you can put XB heads on the pre-04s so don't worry about the head issue too much...I think that a beefed up pre-04 883 would be the best bang for the buck so to speak...split the cases :)

Also, since low 11's is prolly gonna require some significant changes under the hood is there any reason to go with a 1200 over a 883?
not in my opinion

Is everything about the two bikes truly the same except the jugs?
Pistons, cylinders, and heads are all that will be different (as far as the motor goes)


ETA: what's your budget for bike and mods...that will definately help us point you in a direction

Ok, thanks for the advice. So what year is a pre-rubber mount? I really like the look of a Roadster. Are they available in the older year you are talking about?

Rubber-mount engines came out in 2004 so anything older than that will be solid mounted. I to would suggest a solid mount 883 because of the price. There is no reason to buy a 1200 if your just gonna tear it apart immediately and build it into something else. Plus, the 883's are geared a little lower so you would have a big displacement motor with the 883 gearing for quick acceleration. The bigger motor wont like it too much on the freeway with the lower gearing, but this is a bike for the drag strip isn't it? ;) haha

I guess I don't have an answer as to how much I want to spend yet. I've gotta think we're talking $3 to $5k in mods right? Hopefully closer to three thou, but if it goes like any of my car mods have - I should just plan on double and I might still come up short::doh

No doubt this will be a street bike 99.9% of the time. I really don't want to be turning big RPM on the freeway. Is it just a front sprocket that's different, of is the internal gearing different?

I guess I don't have an answer as to how much I want to spend yet. I've gotta think we're talking $3 to $5k in mods right? Hopefully closer to three thou, but if it goes like any of my car mods have - I should just plan on double and I might still come up short::doh

No doubt this will be a street bike 99.9% of the time. I really don't want to be turning big RPM on the freeway. Is it just a front sprocket that's different, of is the internal gearing different?

Depends...are you going to do the labor yourself? If so you could get away with an NRHS 88" build in the price range you are looking at...

I too would say to stick with a pre 04 sporty its also lighter than the rubber mounted ones and get a 883 to save some more if your going to junk the heads and cylinders too. As far as the gearing with the more power you will be making you will want to change to a chain drive than you can just install a smaller rear sprocket to lower your rpm on the highway. If you need engine work done i recommend TERRY REED of REED RACING ENGINES the guy is the awsome, he is a perfectnest and he does all the work himself he is the sole owner and employee. 419-545 9257

Nitro,
Does your name indicate that you are running nitrous or are your times all on motor only.
Thanks,
Dana

My times are all motor do not have nos on my bike. Nitrosportster comes from the names of my two boston terriers sportster and nitro.

You should of seen him on TV last year

I bet he'd beat that V-Rod at the track anyday :smoke

You should of seen him on TV last year

I bet he'd beat that V-Rod at the track anyday :smoke

That was 3 years ago it was only 74 cu in than, I raced rick mcwaters ama prostar hot rod crusier dyna that terry reed built 2 years ago and got second again cause i messed up and in all the excitement i ran it into the rev limiter and killed my drive it was the first time i ever rode the bike and it wasn't geared right for the dyno otherwise i really think i would of won. I was qualified last year with a 9 flat but i couldn't get the vaction and its a 36 hour drive for me and the payout isn't enough to cover the gas bill.

Hey nitro, hadnt heard from ya in a while.
Any new updates on this years racing?
My year eneded up a write off after the pinion gear problem.New parts and getting my indy to find time between his races resulted in 90 days down time. Bike is running now and feels good all motor. No juice yet and no pulls down the strip sadly.

Yeah i won the AMDRAG FLASH class and hold the record at 10.24 at 134.11mph. they only had 3 events but the 1st one was rained out. Its their 1st year so there wasn't a big turn out but they really treat everybody great. They actually ask racers for input, i can't recommend them enough. Sorry to hear about your luck.

Good on ya, Its okay for me now thats its done, but the cost caused stress lemme tell ya.
Now its built to take the power with the help of the nrhs guys. But it will have to wait till next year for a test run. I was too nervous to run it and couldnt shake it...so I figured it would be wise to get some seat time just rippin around for fun.
Will you be in vegas for the ahdra?

No vegas is to far away. My racing is done for the year buying my grandma house it doesnt have a garage so have to put one up so money is tight right now.

I hear that. All the best.

Good luck next year

Also something to consider is the fact that an'04 and newer bike will require splitting the cases to do any transmission work. Not so on the '03 and older.