1993 Sportster 883 vs 1972 CB750

[Lone Wolf 87]

Alright so this topic has probably been beaten to death but I do need an objective opinion(s)

So I happily own a cafed out CB750 and have no gripes about it. The only problem was that I bought it cafed out and while mostly everything is done to my liking, I still don't have my mark on it besides giving it a name (I named her the widow's son) and putting a new set of front blinkers and napoleon style mirrors. I saw that a dealership was selling a 1993 harley sportster 883 for pretty cheap and a part of me wants to trade my bike in for a fresh start. I've been told that comparing these bikes is like night and day, apples to oranges etc etc. The CB is smooth vs the HD which will rock your fillings out.

I guess my question is would it be worth it to go the HD883 route and eventually build it up to a 1200 cafe? I know HD has a pretty good aftermarket and I have a bunch of dealers around me in the event that I screw up and have to take it to the shop. I've been told that the evo platform is a great start for building up. So more input would be greatly appreciated.

I do love my bike and don't mind keeping her, but the temptation to try a HD is there haha. At the end of the day I just don't want to regret giving up my CB750 and being stuck with another bike I'm unhappy with. But in my mind, I know that I'd only be willing to take the chance on a Sportster or a Triumph Bonneville.

And before anyone suggest it, no I can't have both bikes... man I wish I could. But I can only have one.

[t71ford]

Man, if the only thing holding you back is being worried about being a 'Harley Rider', you've watched too much South Park. You'll love the sportster, but you will want to go to the 1200. The 883 is kinda weak.

[Lone Wolf 87]

Man, if the only thing holding you back is being worried about being a 'Harley Rider', you've watched too much South Park. You'll love the sportster, but you will want to go to the 1200. The 883 is kinda weak.

Hahaha no no that doesn't bother me at all. I have the mentality like most of the people on here, ride what ever the hell you want and f*ck what everyone else says. I'm just worried about losing a good bike in my CB750; I know most people would pick the Honda over the Harley when it comes to reliability. If I did go the HD route, I'd want to start with the 883 and eventually build up to a 1200, helps with insurance rates too.

[AgentX]

On a practical level, having your only bike be your project bike is a recipe for not riding for a loooong time, or at least missing many days of riding while you're stuck wrenching.  (ask me how I know!)

Buy a second bike when/if you can.  Otherwise, I'd stick with the bird in your hand.

Mind you, I think an evo harley would be fun, especially as a long-term project.

[Hoosier Daddy]

I can relate, tough to decide. Have you ridden the Sporty? That alone may cinch it for you... either way.
I will say talking to most Harley guys that those who started out with a Sportster soon wished and /or moved up to a FX. You also need to realize even though there is a HUGE aftermarket parts program, the prices are OUTRAGOUS just because it's a part for a Harley Davidson. That is one reason the UJM's are so popular.
But I still want a basic 883 to mess with.
 
http://www.storzperf.com/
http://phillittleracing.com/motorcycle/sxr-street-tracker
 

[Lone Wolf 87]

Good points brought up guys. I'll probably stick with what I got, but I might take a test ride just so I'm not left wondering..

And what does UJM stand for?

[Hoosier Daddy]

  Wiki says....

"Universal Japanese Motorcycle", or UJM, is a term coined in
the mid-1970s by the American Cycle magazine to cover a particular type of
Japanese standard motorcycle that became commonplace following the
ground-breaking Honda CB750,

[t71ford]

I think it also depends on what you want it for. Most guys that move on from a sportster do so to get more room for touring and the like. I actually got mine because my Softail is too big for some things, and it's a blast to have the little sportster to blast around on.

The aftermarket is huge, but not nearly as expensive as most would think. It depends on what you are getting and where. OEM and custom machined billet stuff will be expensive--same as for a Jap bike. But there are plenty of Parts-and-more places that have the parts you need for the same price. I will say that there is infinitely more nice ready-made stuff available for Harleys, and the advent if the Dark Custom look has really changed HD from the chrome cowboy look.

For what its worth, of course.

[veloracermike]

One word. Norley


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[biker_reject]

Can't tell you how to spend your money, dude.  Given that, I wouldn't be caught dead on a Hardley.

[teazer]

back up a bit.  Who cares about "making it my own" If the bike does what you want and you love it as it is, just ride the wheels off it and learn to love it.

If it's not exactly right for you in some way, change it, and if it just isn't working for you  and you would rather have something else, swap it.  The dealer is trying to move s a bike that he can't sell and thinks he can make money on the deal.

Bottom line:  What do you wan, and what talks to you?  If someone built your bike exactly how you want it, it doesn't matter on bit who built or made what.  It's not relevant to who you are or to what the bike is.  It's just so much hipster B/S that newbies talk that have no idea what they are talking about.

It doesn't matter if it's stock or not.  What matters is it's yours and you enjoy riding it.  And there's the rub.  Motorcycles are about riding.  That's where the real experience comes from. That's where you and the bike bond or break up.

[Lone Wolf 87]

One word. Norley


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I did see the kit for it and it is badass.. just gotta save up the coin for it.

[Lone Wolf 87]

back up a bit.  Who cares about "making it my own" If the bike does what you want and you love it as it is, just ride the wheels off it and learn to love it.

If it's not exactly right for you in some way, change it, and if it just isn't working for you  and you would rather have something else, swap it.  The dealer is trying to move s a bike that he can't sell and thinks he can make money on the deal.

Bottom line:  What do you wan, and what talks to you?  If someone built your bike exactly how you want it, it doesn't matter on bit who built or made what.  It's not relevant to who you are or to what the bike is.  It's just so much hipster B/S that newbies talk that have no idea what they are talking about.

It doesn't matter if it's stock or not.  What matters is it's yours and you enjoy riding it.  And there's the rub.  Motorcycles are about riding.  That's where the real experience comes from. That's where you and the bike bond or break up.

Excelent points brought up. I guess I'll have a better understanding of which route to pick after I give the sportster a test ride.

What I define as "making it my own" is what you mentioned: changing things around to what speaks to me. Haha part of me doesn't want to change this bike b/c I appreciate where it came from. I bought it off of a father and son who built the bike as a school project. I hold that father-son bond dear to me b/c I lost my father recently. So yeah there's a lot of sentimentality when it comes to this bike. I hope that gives some insight as to why I'm being such a b*tch when it comes to re-modding this honda. So I guess at the end of the day when all is said and done I'm asking a very subjective question which defeats the purpose of posting it in the first place lolol: Is it worth it to trade this bike in to start witha clean slate?

I know, I'm complicating things haha. But that's why I'm posting here so you guys/gals can be my personal psychiatrists and offer your greatly appreciated opinions on the matter

[teazer]

Sorry to hear about your dad and yes, those bonds are precious but the bike wasn't the bond, it was a way for them to bond. Once they sold it, it moved on as they did.

If you decide to keep it and change it up a bit, that's OK.  I'm sure they would understand and agree that it's yours now to tweak to make it work or look the way you want it to, however minor or major those changes are.  It cannot detract from what it represented for them or to you. They are moving on and so will this bike.  If you want to be part of that change, that's great and if not. that's fine too. 

[Lone Wolf 87]

Sorry to hear about your dad and yes, those bonds are precious but the bike wasn't the bond, it was a way for them to bond. Once they sold it, it moved on as they did.

If you decide to keep it and change it up a bit, that's OK.  I'm sure they would understand and agree that it's yours now to tweak to make it work or look the way you want it to, however minor or major those changes are.  It cannot detract from what it represented for them or to you. They are moving on and so will this bike.  If you want to be part of that change, that's great and if not. that's fine too.

Very insightful, thank you for your words. I never really looked at it that way... definitely gives me a sense of direction.