Online: Hilly

New Iron 883

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  • erazorx
    erazorx
    12 years ago

    Hello all,

    Just got my first HD - an Iron 883 with custom paint job. Was actually looking for a Denim Black but had a long wait on that one. Dealer told me even the 2013 Denim Black’s were all booked out. Couldn’t wait so shopped around till I found this one. Nice Red and Satin Black finish on the tank and Satin Black fenders. Not glossy.. but not very matt either.
     
    I have been riding motorcycles for many years and have had many Jap bikes and a Ducati Monster 900 was my last bike. Been on a break from motorcycles for the last 6 years and finally decided to get back on them. Was thinking of a Monster again but thought… why not a Harley. Was very keen on a Night Rod but thought I’ll start small and then upgrade over the next 2-3 years.
     
    My Iron is stock except the paint job. I did get a pillion seat and rear foot pegs installed. I am now wondering what else I can do with it. Am a very good rider but am no good with doing mods by myself. Might want to build up some confidence by starting with some easy mods…
     
    What do you guys suggest? I do want to try and flip the mirrors or actually get new ones. I can barely see behind me with the stock mirrors. I would also like to get a new derby and fuel tank cover. I don’t want to change the pipes cos I love the sound as it is and actually find the V&H too noisy. Besides, I don’t think I can change those myself anyway. Would I need a HD specific toolkit?
     
    Any other suggestions? Also, is warranty affected if I do any of these mods?
     
    Sorry for sounding like an absolute rookie. But I am.
     
    Thank you guys.
     


     

  • PK2
    PK2
    12 years ago
    Hey mate, welcome! I too have had bikes for years and bought an Iron as my first Harley and have done 14000 kms in 12 months. Absolutely love it!
    Mirror flip is simple and you will be amazed how good they are below the bars. I run a broomstick bar because I am used to lower bars and like the position, I use the pillion pegs a fair bit. Screamin eagle slip ons ( got rid of the v&h) and I'm very very happy.

    Give everyone an intro in the introductions section.
    Good luck and welcome!
  • TC883
    TC883
    12 years ago

     Welcome from another Iron rider. My last bike was a 2003 Ducati super sport, and this is my first Harley. Loving it! Flipping the mirrors is recommended, and all you need is a half inch spanner and an Allen key. No special tools for a Harley, just an imperial tool kit. I am finally using the other half of my Sidchrome set after all these years! Other recommended mods are new grips and pegs. Again have a go at fitting them yourself, it is reall very easy. Cheers, TC

  • mato_h
    mato_h
    12 years ago
    Welcome i picked up my first Harley last dec the 48 and have not looked back
    and most easy mods you will be able to do and No special tools are needed, just imperial is needed for most things
    good luck
  • C-Train
    C-Train
    12 years ago
    Are you in WA ? I got told there was a 6 month wait on black from one dealer. The other one had 1 left, then a 5 month wait. I bought the black one. Love it
  • JOHNO23
    JOHNO23
    12 years ago
    Hi mate
    Congrats on the new purchase. I too have an iron and have made a heap of changes myself.
    Other items to look at are;

    Flat drag bars and 4 inch risers
    Relocate speedo lower down on the risers ( need to grab a bracket from accutronix USA for his mod )
    Definitely flip mirrors, can keep the stock style, they match the look of the bike.
    Change seat from the iron style to the seat off the 48
    You can move the foot controls forward for a more relaxed look
    Changing foot pegs and hand grips is easy
    I custom made a metal Harley logo insert and replaced the 883 insert in the air cleaner box
    Remove the brushed silver headlight trim and spray black
    Remove cowling over headlight and replace with Roland sands lowering bracket ( I made my own bracket for this, plenty of options around though)
    Remove all reflectors - they are just stuck on with double sided tape
    Replace gas tank cap with a lower profile style
    Install the HD nostalgic oil temp gauge on oil tank ( very easy )
    Smoke front indicator lenses
    Rolling tube bracket install to hold ergo sticker

    List goes on and on....

    The custom paint on you bike looks fantastic, send more pics if you can.

    Are you in Victoria.?

    I am keen to get a bunch of fellow iron, 48 and other sportster owners together for a group ride one day soon.

    I reckon it would be great. I am situated in Blackburn VIC.

    Well done again.

    JOHNO23
  • PK2
    PK2
    12 years ago
    Hey johno I'm in melb....
  • JOHNO23
    JOHNO23
    12 years ago

     That's great PK2,

    Where abouts in melbourne are you situated?

     

     

  • PK2
    PK2
    12 years ago
    Melton
  • TC883
    TC883
    12 years ago

     Hey Johno would really appreciate  it if you couldost some pics of the mods you list below mate.been looking this area to mod myself. Have been looking at a 48 speedo mount. TC

    I custom made a metal Harley logo insert and replaced the 883 insert in the air cleaner box 
    Remove the brushed silver headlight trim and spray black 
    Remove cowling over headlight and replace with Roland sands lowering bracket ( I made my own bracket for this, plenty of options around though)

  • JOHNO23
    JOHNO23
    12 years ago

     Hey TC883

    No worries at all, I will take some photos this week and post them for you to look at.

    I made my own bracket headlight up as I could not find a model that I liked. In the end, I found some pics on the hd forum USA site and copied it.

    Took me about an hour to fabricate and cost me under $15, but most of all, it matches the look to the exact specs I was after.

    The speeo bracket from the 48 is great, but it would mean having to change the handlebar risers or even machine the existing risers down to accommodate the bracket.

    I decided it was easier to make my own headlight bracket and buy a speedo relocation bracket from accutronix in Phoenix Arizona....it worked well.

    My Harley logo air cleaner insert was very easy...I actually purchased a metal fridge magnet clamp from a local HD dealer or $10. Then I made some mods with some filing and hacksaw, the adhered it to the 883 air cleaner inset that I had paint prayed mat black beforehand.

    Give me a day or so and I will post the pics for you to check out.

    If any of these mods interest you and the photos later this week, are the look you are after, let me know and I can walk you through the steps to make them

     

  • JOHNO23
    JOHNO23
    12 years ago

     Hey PK2

    No worries at all mate,

    Lets keep in touch and grab a ride sometime. Would be great to get a bunch together and cut up a few km's.

     

  • JOHNO23
    JOHNO23
    12 years ago

    no worries TC

    I have taken a couple of photos today and will post those and some others later this week.

    I noticed you have drilled out your baffles, might look at doing that myself to my SE slip ons....was it difficult to do? Did you need to change out your Air Cleaner and remap?

  • JOHNO23
    JOHNO23
    12 years ago

     Thanks TC

    Sounds easy, I am going to give that a try this weekend, did you keep the engine running while you drilled them out? Or did or did you drill both then start her up?

    Just wondering about the drill filings and I where they would end up.

    I am in new Zealand until Saturday arvo, I will post the photos of the mods we discussed on my bike for you on Sunday morning. Just need to take another photo of he headlight bracket I made, to show you.

     

  • JOHNO23
    JOHNO23
    12 years ago

     Hey TC

    Thanks for the advice, I do have a spare set of stock slip ons , which I will keep just in case I get pulled up for the modified exhaust.

    Looking forward to tackling the drilling out sometime tomorrow, will have the pics uploaded of the mods you need info on as well.

    Just on my way back from Wellington NZ today so looks like tomorrow is the earliest I will be able to sort this out.

    Cant wait to hear the note of the exhaust after drilling....

  • TC883
    TC883
    12 years ago

     Already apologized for that mate. iPad went spac and won't even let me edit the post. TC

  • JOHNO23
    JOHNO23
    12 years ago

    hey TC

    photos of mods here......

    • custom made headlight bracket
    • custom made air cleaner insert logo
    • speedo relocator from accutronix USA
    • painted headlight trim
    • relocated dummy lights bar (notched cavity in speedo relocator to hold dummy board wires)

    let me know if you (or anyone esle) needs info on these - happy to help mate.

    Johno







  • Hippy Dave
    Hippy Dave
    12 years ago

     Johno.

     

    We had the same idea. On my '95 sporty I removed the aluminium cowl and relocated the speedo forward. Also made a bracket for the relocation forward of the headlight. All works a treat and gets rid of the ugly alloy cowl.

    I had to enlarge the holes slightly in the speedo bracket to get them to line up with the existing holes in the tripple tree.

    Headlight bracket is held in place by the bolts that hold the risers under the top tree.

     

    Dave


     

     


  • JOHNO23
    JOHNO23
    12 years ago

     That's spot on Dave

    I noticed the holes needed altering on the tree when I started the process of relocation.....but wasn't brave enought to make any changes, so opted for the bracket from the USA.

    Looks really neat on your sporty, well done there.

    Your headlight bracket looks identical shape to mine, unreal

    I thought these could be made and sold to others who would like to make the change as well. I suppose it's just personal ppreference.

    Thanks for the reply

    Johno.

  • TC883
    TC883
    12 years ago

     Johno and Dave, some very nice work there. A tidy solution to lower speedo and remove the headlight eyebrow. Got me thinking now...thanks for posting the pictures. TC

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