| Author | Message | ||
     Hybridmomentspass |
I need some assistance from you genius folks out there. Looking at picking up a 883, its dirt cheap and almost brand new (1100 miles, 2009). I really dislike the search feature on this site, so I thought I'd just ask: How much is involved in putting a tuber front end on a sportster? I've wanted a sportster for a long time to compliment my S3 and 1125, but the way I'd want it is with some buell goodies to improve things. thanks for any assistance and happy new year to all | ||
| Cityxslicker |
seen it done, the big question is are you doing the work yourself or having it done.... One takes tools and talent... the other is mostly cash and time. | ||
| Gunut75 |
I've seen these done in gixxer 600 front ends too. The gixxer was used because the type of bearings in the headstock are similar. I have no idea what bearings are used on a tuber. Tuber front end would look waaaaaay better anyhow!  | ||
| Greg_e |
Build it into a Cafe style. | ||
| Ratbuell |
An XL will need way more than a front end to get better handling. It's a backbone frame and they like to flexxx...and, it weighs nearly a rider's weight more than a tuber. You'll have to increase spring rates and damping just to get it to behave. It can be done...but it's not "drop-n-swap" simple if you're looking for results more in-depth than looks. | ||
| Greg_e |
I didn't realize the frame was that heavy, what did they build it out of 1/4 inch wall tubing? (Message edited by Greg_E on January 01, 2011) | ||
| Cataract2 |
what did they build it out of 1/4 inch wall tubing? Lead. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I would suggest getting an older one from before the rubber mounting. They were like 75 pounds lighter! It will be a lot more easy to deal with the older style. Many more options for aftermarket stuff. | ||
| 46champ |
Sportster frames are made out of mild steel. At least 1/2 of the weight difference between a tuber and a solid mount Sportster is the frame. The rest is steel tanks and fenders instead of plastic, the wheels, and small amounts in the controls and lights etc. | ||
| Thumper74 |
www.progressivesuspension.com. Buying the sporty and modding it to make a Buell isn't going to work. They are different machines with different intended uses. | ||
| Ratbuell |
And the 883 has about the HP of a Blast. But it weighs twice as much. If you're looking for a "good deal" on a project, get one of the $49.95 tuber frames that's on eBay and start there  | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
understand this - not everything needs to be a buell. I dont want a sportster to be a buell, just with upgraded things that would swap over easier than custom fabbing. HP, yes its low, but who cares, I have my race bike and 1125 to play with. Same for handling. Thanks for the constructive help fellows. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Glad to help. I know not everything needs to be a Buell...but just wanted to make it clear that a couple component swaps won't really make a major difference in the bike's behavior. If you're looking for cosmetics, I think it could be a cool project...but I wouldn't expect a night and day transformation of the bike. That's all. I think it could be cool...but when its all said and done, still a nearly 600 lb mild steel backbone frame bike. If you're looking for something to tinker with, I think it'd be cool. I used to love tinkering with my 96 FLHP (1340 Evo, 90/90 at the rear wheel, daily ride). In the end, though...it was still just a torquey heavy beast that dragged in every turn. Not a bad bike...but not what I was looking for when it was all said and done. | ||
| Jsracer |
>> And the 883 has about the HP of a Blast. Where did you come up with that? A stock Blast has about 25hp. Late model 883 Sportsters are breaking 50hp bone stock. | ||
| Skntpig |
I have some Racetech tuber springs in the classifieds if that's the route you are going. | ||
| Just_ziptab |
And............ A CR250 has about 47 horse... at the rear wheel.......  | ||
| Gunut75 |
I would go with the gixxer front end then. It will cut the weight of the front end alone in half, and does'nt look bad at all. Use the wheel, brakes, forks, everything. The parts can be found the world over too. Ya also get the 17in front wheel. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
again, thanks duders, I'm not going through with this though. After thinking it through I just dont think its a wise choice to make right now. I think I'd rather mod the race bike, trailer, and 1125R + other things in my life vs spending most of my extra cash right now on the bike purchase. but one day.....one day i'll have myself a sportster..... | ||
| Xl1200r |
A Sportster with a 17" front wheel looks like ass. An 18" is barely passable. A 19" looks proper and large enough to fit the height and style of the bike. I bought a 1200 Sportster in 2004 (first year for rubber mounting and the Buell'd-up engine) because I wanted an XB12 but couldn't afford one. I blew $4,000 trying to make the Harley go, stop and turn well while still looking good. Never got close to the Buell. Putting a Gixxer front end on a Sportster is a waste of time. Progressive makes nice shocks and fork springs that will improve ride comfort and performance. You can really trick them out with all kinds of stuff from the Storz catalogue, but again, huge money and it will still be more about looks than actual performance. For stopping, find a 1200R model and you'll get dual front disks - twice the power of the single on the 883, and you get the 1200cc engine and XB heads to boot. Appreciate it for what it is and you'll love it. If you obsess about trying to 'improve' it, you'll end up disappointed. | ||
| Grancuda |
Cool idea on the tuber forks/wheel on an XL, I looked into it once and parts are really cheap and not much work to do it. http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=33810&page=11 The 883 has about the same power as a blast just like my old 98hp S1 about had the same power as a 1098 ducati '09 883 556lbs 46.1ft/lbs hp 49.6 ft/lbs tq blast 360lbs 34ft/lbs hp 30ft/lbs tq   |
