Five Sportster questions : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

azrunr66 · 09-19-2009, 01:23 AM

I have a 2006 883c. It is completely stock. I bought it used about 3 days ago. I have a few questions:

I filled up with 91 octane gas before I read the manual which says 87 octane. Will the bike run any differently with the 87 octane fuel?

There is a chrome,magnetic cover on the oil filter. It covers the nose and about half the top of the oil filter. If I was to remove it and not use it anymore,will any metal shards and fragments start flowing through the engine?

The forks seem to compress to the point where the forks have about 2 inches of space to move to absorb bumps. is there anything i can do to fix that? Is that normal?

Is there anything I can do to improve the ride quality?

Does anyone make a slash cut exhaust that isnt too loud and requires no rejetting?

Thanks everyone for your help!!!

jerry34208 · 09-19-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azrunr66

I have a 2006 883c. It is completely stock. I bought it used about 3 days ago. I have a few questions:

I filled up with 91 octane gas before I read the manual which says 87 octane. Will the bike run any differently with the 87 octane fuel?
No, your engine is designed and tuned to run the 87. Use it and you'll save money. Some guys say theirs runs better on higher octane. I say fine, if a guy says 89, 91 or 93 runs better in his bike, then OK it does. Science says using higher octane than required won't help. Try it for yourself and see. The only thing it will possibly hurt is your wallet.

There is a chrome,magnetic cover on the oil filter. It covers the nose and about half the top of the oil filter. If I was to remove it and not use it anymore,will any metal shards and fragments start flowing through the engine?
The filter will work just fine without the magnet.

The forks seem to compress to the point where the forks have about 2 inches of space to move to absorb bumps. is there anything i can do to fix that? There is no end to what you can do to modify the suspension. Just add $$$
Is that normal?
Yes, it's normal.

Is there anything I can do to improve the ride quality?
Ride quality is highly subjective. Generally everything you do on suspension is a trade off. Are you bottoming out often? If so first thing I'd suggest is thicker oil in the forks. And of course Harley offers Screamin Eagle fork oil to fill the need.

Does anyone make a slash cut exhaust that isn't too loud and requires no rejetting?
What does not too loud mean? (rhetorical question) Often you can "get away with" changing mufflers without causing damage but how will you know? Do you feel lucky? Someone here will be able to share what they have done that worked for them.

Thanks everyone for your help!!!

HD stands for Hundred Dollars. Don't we love it so. Let the fun begin!

Fred1369 · 09-19-2009, 02:29 PM

fast, cheap, reliable.
pick any two.

azrunr66 · 09-19-2009, 10:01 PM

Thank you jerry for your responses. I believe I will change the fork oil and use the screamin eagle or similar weight oil. I am going to remove the magnet device from atop the filter.

I am not interested in really loud pipes. I have had them before and its really tiring on longer rides. Slightly louder than stock would be ok. Harley used to have accesory pipes that produce little or no added sound just a different shape. That would be ok by me.

I think there is only,maybe, 2 inches of rear wheel travel so even if I upgrade shocks,I'm not sure there will be a marked improvement in the ride. The problem is is that I feel every bump and imperfection in the road surface.Part of my ride to work is on about 5 miles worth of road on indian land and it isnt in the best shape. In a car or on a touring bike it isnt really noticeable.

I am going to use 87 octane fuel on next fill up and the one after that and see if there is a negative reaction. If there isnt,I am going to continue to save the 20 odd cents a gallon and call it a day!

Thanks again Jerry for your response. Ride safetly

jerry34208 · 09-19-2009, 10:40 PM

You're entirely welcome az, I have learned so much from this place, glad to share some.

The thicker fork oil will make you feel bumps a little more but should also lessen the likeliness of bottoming by the same bit. There's the trade off I was speaking of.

Post up exactly which model 883 you have. If it's a "Low" then you can get another inch on both front and rear by going to the regular springs in the front and the standard shocks in the rear.

azrunr66 · 09-20-2009, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry34208

You're entirely welcome az, I have learned so much from this place, glad to share some.

The thicker fork oil will make you feel bumps a little more but should also lessen the likeliness of bottoming by the same bit. There's the trade off I was speaking of.

Post up exactly which model 883 you have. If it's a "Low" then you can get another inch on both front and rear by going to the regular springs in the front and the standard shocks in the rear.

I have a 2006 883 custom.....