Harley 883 Engine Rebuild

CaferacerMO

CaferacerMO

Been Around the Block
Came across a 1997 Harley 883 bobbered out.
Hard tail, etc.
700 bucks, clean title. BUT. It needs a full motor rebuild. Needs new casings and jugs. It apparently already has a new hot cams as well?
I need opinions though, I really do not want to be over my head on this one. I already feel like just by typing this out I am answering my own question. I am not a sucker for Harleys although I love the way they looked chopped, and would love to have something to keep up with my father and law and brother in law on their Harleys this summer.

Here it is. Definitely things I would fix and change, I am not one to stray away from a challenge and project, just worrisome about this engine.

 
Caf3racer said:
He can't. He got himself banned. :o
Click to expand...
Oh wow... interesting.
Well if anyone has any insight on what this rebuild could cost, let me know.
I know I was looking at casings on eBay and they were somewhere in the realm of 400-500 and then 100 for jugs. I may have to pop over to a Harley forum~
 
Why does it need new cases and jugs? If something inside went so bad that it destroyed the outside, you'll probably be better off buying a whole new motor. Cases and jugs don't just fall apart ya know?

And I'm going to be 100% honest with you. The 883 motor is a complete turd. Only fun for about 100ft. If you are going to dive in and do a rebuild, get the 1200 parts for the upgrade.
 
Yep, go for the 1200 build. Are the cases cracked? They can be welded depending on where they are damaged.
 
I would asses the damage for sure, if the motor is that destroyed a grand wont go far. Hot Cams is suspect, i know the owner and his wife and i also know that you don't just toss a set of "Hot" cams in and push the happy button... you could luck out and only need a set of push rods and some valve train work.
 
Let me see if I can't get some pictures of the damage before I even make the trip there too.


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VonYinzer said:
And I'm going to be 100% honest with you. The 883 motor is a complete turd. Only fun for about 100ft. If you are going to dive in and do a rebuild, get the 1200 parts for the upgrade.
Click to expand...

If you're going to have the heads ported with the displacement increase, don't some companies prefer to do performance work on the 883 heads rather than the stock 1200 heads? No expert and am speaking out of turn, but when I was looking at a Sportster I read that... As I recall, the 883 offers more material to work with and do things the way the tuner would prefer, rather than the stock 1200 which is done within the factory constraints.

Just passing on rumor for thought. Quick google turned up this:

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/archive/index.php/t-39621.html
 
I'm starting to get hesitant. If you think about it, this project is a risk. Wiring could be junk, custom work done could be shotty, could run into a ton of problems on the engine rebuild. I'm starting to think that it makes sense to just wait for an 883 to go up on Craigslist since I've seen them go for around 2000.
Then I will have one I know doesn't have bad custom work done, and can trust the mod's done to it as I will be the one doing them.
In the long run I'll probably even save money that way.


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It's in Missouri, I'll tell you that much but otherwise top secret until I decide what to do hehe, but it isn't on Craigslist, it's one of those things where it's a friend of a friends that I was referred too that has just sat in his garage.


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If you pick it up, buy a set of Buell 1200 cylinders and heads, along with the 1200 pistons.
 
e538250c593178168fb692e330b7b1e4.jpg


This is all I've been able to get him to send me picture wise of the damage, I'll update as I get more pictures from him. Trying to decide if I actually need new cases, if I don't I'll be all over that.


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