are harley parts worth it?

[Gone]

Hello all. I am a first time harley owner and just have a few questions. I wanted to convert my 883 up to a larger 1200 over winter but im not sure which parts to go with. Harley im told is the only sensible thing when your dealing with actual mechanics. Harley is seemingly the most expensive and im a college student! Also I want to slap some forward controls on there. So is harley that great or are there some sensible, hopefully more affordable alternatives? This is probably bad but Ebay seems to offer some good deals. Thanks everybody.



Matt

[DC in PHX]

OEM equipment is usually a safe bet (excepting seats:rolleyes: ). avoid the no-name forwards on e-bay. There are many quality aftermarket manufacturers, so ask more questions when you find something you like. As far as engine components go, you cannot beat NRHS for quality and service. As far as dealer mechanics working on your bike, buy a factory service manual and some good tools, do the work yourself, it is easy:) :)
DC

[Gone]

You may want to start servicing your bike yourself, it can save you a ton of money over the years! ( if you can, i.e. garage) And remember the tech's are there to make money besides service your bike. I'm dont know about ebay stuff but nhrs seems to have a good rep. they have to be good cuz that's all they do!
Good luck enjoy!!!

[RoadChick]

Welcome from San Diego!! :) :)

I would say Harley parts are really good. But I have only been a Harley owner since 2005.

[XLXR]

The more Harley parts I replace with aftermarket stuff, the better it runs. There are a lot of junk aftermarket parts as well. Shop around a bit more, the dealer is the most expensive, ebay is cheapest, NRHS is well liked on this forum.

[1stGenRex]

Harley mechanics aren't always the best....they are human, and they do Fu*k up sometimes...and for the price they charge for labor, they should NEVER Fu*k UP! just my opinion

[XLinAL]

www.jpcycles.com

Lots of options for conversions and forward controls.

[Gone]

Thanks alot guys. I checked out NRHS and they seemed pretty solid. thanks for the welcome!

[sportysrock]

You cannot go wrong with NRHS, :welcome to the XLForum dude!

[Gone]

NRHS has a fine conversion package for not too much money and will deliver some impressive output if you do it all - i.e. have the heads done and a mild cam-set to match.

[liebermann]

I have a NRHS setup. Actually converted the engine to 88 ci with them. It is a screamer. If you have the time(and money) NHRS will hook your bike up. 106 hp and 106 torque right now. And people try to say Sportsters are "girlie". I can walk down a majority of bikes out there with much bigger engines.

[easywriter]

Hello, I'm also new to the Harley world and this forum. Been on and off bikes forever. I've also been wondering if I should stick with Harley Parts or go with after market. I imagine (as usual) it depends on the part. (always a gamble when going after market.) Wanted to get forward controls for my XL2007L. Harley wants $449.95 #33395-06. RevengeCycle wants $269.95 #12-030. I would like to find somebody that has experience with both, so I could find out what quality and other differences there are. In the picts it looks like there is a small difference in arm lengths and positioning, but you know how picts can be. Should I gamble... or go with Harley? Or, does it really matter?

[DIESEL]

If you are doing a conversion--see if you can get some 883 cylinders and heads from Ebay (take off harley parts) then send those to NRHS and have the work done to minimize the down time.

I have both aftermarket and H-D parts on my bike. It depends on what it is. Best bet is to get a Genuine H-D part from ebay, at a reasonable price.

[justdrew]

I put on a set of Custom Chrome forwards I bought on ebay, and they are just crap. The chrome plating chips just looking at them, and the pedal and shifter rattle something fierce.
I bought these right after I bought my bike and they sat on the shelf for a couple of years....Now I wish I spent the money and got it right the first time. These things mount right to the motor, so I think it's worth spending money when you think about the vibrational stress that's gonna happen there.

Conversions....see above.

[SportyJoe]

I bought a set of forward controls from Harley, they arent the most flashy things in the world, but they work, they hold up, and they were easy to install.. so if you do get them from Harley, you shouldn't even worry about paying a tech to put them on, unless you have no tools or mechanical skills at all.. the hardest part of the Install was figuring out which bracket went on which side.. put them on wrong first... :doh you will probably have to remove the front exuast header though a couple of bolts..no biggie. as far as conversions, I would listen to those who say NRHS, I haven't had it done, but many on this forum swear by them.

[smackie]

NRHS is the shizzie for motor work. very few other even come close it seems. quality is awesome, customer service is top notch and as far as the motors go....wow. i am happy.

JP cycles is a good source for parts....harley parts while pretty good are about twice as expensive as they need to be