Can anyone give me a quick run down on the changes from the 03 883 models to the 04 and on please?

As I understand the later models have rubber mounted engines.. and a few other bits...! Does this change things alot in overall performance and vibes?

Also from the rubber mounts and on .. if there are problems in the gearbox I understand that the cases need to be split!!

Has anyone got any info on these things and if so are there complications because of them.

Cheers

Duane

yes rubbermounts-gearbox gears have 5 dogfeet/legs/lugs(not sure of the proper name.)i've been told the older sporties gears had 3 so not as strong for higher hp..newer ones taking from the buells..have heard the gearbox is harder to access but don't no anyone who has needed to..heads only changed on the 1200 models.plus a wider rear guard and tyre...cheers..dc..

Billfish,

The Sportster was totally re-designed as of the 2004 models, read this article it goes into great detail about the changes:

http://www.hdforums.com.au/Default.aspx?tabid=71&forumid=1&postid=9729&view=topic

I've got an 05 1200 and have split the motor and replaced the crank and put new bearings in the gearbox.

Not as hard as I thought it would be.

Very easy motor to work on.

Just starting to rebuild it again after blowing it up at the drags.

I have owned both a 2001 and a 2007 frangar mounted jobby and I reckon the 2001 was a better bike all around everyhting was made very solid and it took my missus and a totally locked back brake to put an end to it, although I still might buy it back off the insurance Co for a drag bike yet.
The newer sporties are all very light metal and plastic.
There is a slight vibration difference, the floppy mount being better cause of the dangly donger set up.
The gearbox on the newer ones doesn't have an inspection cover so you have to split the cases so I've been told but never had too.
They are both good bikes I just liked the older one better.