My Only Dyno Run

This is the only dyno chart I ever got for my bike so far. This was done about 4 years into ownership and twiddling around on my SeatOfPants Dyno. I think I have it dialed in assuming I am  running drilled out stock mufflers.

Tachometer Kit

This tachometer kit (genuine HD part) is great, but very expensive. MSRP is $285. I bought mine when my local dealer was blowing them out at 70% off the MSRP. I highly recommend this upgrade. It is very easy to install and works great. Here is a review I wrote for this product on Sportster.org

Engine Guard

I bought this genuine HD engine guard after I had a low speed spill at a stop sign in Amherst, MA. There was some sand at the stop line and I was on the front brake and turning to the right slightly. This resulted in a 3 MPH spill. I enough damage (bent handlebar, small dents on the tank, broken turn signal, scuffed muffler) to convince myself to get this guard. I do not exactly like the looks of it, but it is functional. I had hard time installing it and needed to bend the metal tangs a bit to make all the holes line up. Other than that it is fine.

Sportster Maintenance Spread Sheets

 These are based on Owner's Manual maintenance schedule. Hope you find these usefull

2003-Earlier Sportster Maintenance Spreadsheet - Furnished by Coasty and not edited in any way

2004 Sportster Maintenance Spreadsheet - Furnished by Coasty and edited by myself for 2004

2007 Sportster Maintenance Spreadsheet - Furnished by Coasty and not edited in any way

Nallin Hurricane Permanent Oil Filter

Here is a link to NRHS web page describing this product. I've been using it since summer of 2006 and am very happy with it. It is a bit pricey, but the quality and performance are impeccable.

Here is a link to a manufacturer's website.

Drilled Stock Mufflers

Drilling the baffle plate in the stock mufflers is a very good and inexpensive way to obtain most of the so called "performance" slip-on mufflers. It is very easy to do and the bang for a buck is significant. There is a plate about a third of the way down each muffler that restricts straight passage of exhaust and forces it throught the baffles. This muffles the noise and also deals with many of the negative effects straight pipes have on this type of engine. I will not go into a discussion on exhaust design here as I am neither an expert nor do I have an inclination to become one. I will only say that according to my experience as well as many others' drilling a 1/2" hole in the baffle provides most of the performance gains obtained with an exopensive and loud set of slip-ons like Screaming Eagle or Cycle Shaks. I use a long drill bit, remove the mufflers and drill them from the "input" side. This makes me feel better in that the metal shavings from drilling will not make it to the engine somehow. The sound is almost stock, though a bit throatier and performace is excelent. I am sure you can do better on performance with aftermarket slip-ons, but bang for buck will not be there and you may not like the amount of noise that is constanly with you as you ride. If you are into loud pipes, this mod is NOT for you.

Cowbell Horn Kit

have hated the stock horn sound since the first time I tried using it. It sounds like a '69 VW Beetle and does not command much attention on the road. I use my horn a lot. It is one of my main survival tools on the road. I need the horn to draw attention to me right away. To that end I decided to add a cowbell horn in addition to the stock horn. The stock horn has a high note and the cowbell horn has a low note. Together they provide the much desired sound that gets people to acknowledge my presence right away.

I must say that I am not too crazy about the looks of the cowbell horn on the left side of the engine. It covers up too much of the engine in my opinion and is too "Big Harley" looking. I do not necessary want my Sportster to look like an overweight chrome tank. But it does function well. I have never had anyone not know where the sound came from when I sounded that horn. So I am leaving it on for now. At some point I will figure out another solution and will take the cowbell down to expose those gorgeous jugs.

The cowbell horn kit from Harley comes pretty much complete and includes a relay as well as a new choke cable bracket to share space with the horn. I added some wiring so as to keep the original horn as well as the cowbell. I wanted that dual note sound. I think it is more about the quality of the sound rather than the actual loudness that gets people to pay attention.