Awesome build man. Good to hear about the speed/tach combo. Been thinking of one.

 

How are you liking that mustang seat? How would you rate it for comfort on a couple hundred mile ride? Did it move you around competed to stock?

 

Thanks!

I will be honest, I haven't taken it longer than maybe 30 mile trips. It sits you a little further back than stock, wasn't a big deal for me. Its pretty comfortable but on the firm side, I am told that Mustang seats tend to "break in" a little and it should get a little softer with time. I love it though, for the look I was going for, still have the option of 2-up and holds me from sliding back on hard acceleration. Build quality is night-and-day over stock. Mustang quality is top notch.

 

Dual Brembo Conversion

Finally time for an update, I am well into my parts collecting for my dual front brembo conversion, so I thought I would begin cataloging my journey. Just to start off being clear, I am NOT going the cheapest route, so be aware you can get dual brakes cheaper. I wanted things to match, particular rotors, etc... so things cost me a little more then they need to...

Calipers:
43027-08 CALIPER ASSEMBLY, LEFT (BLACK)
44023-08 CALIPER ASSEMBLY, RIGHT (BLACK)

Master Cylinder:
44551-08B - Used take-off of 2014 Touring Bike

Rotors:
41500088 (2) 300mm Black "Star 7" style floating rotors
(for some reason the HD store sells 41500108 rotors for more money, when the OEM rotors for the factory bikes are 41500088....)

Lower Sliders:
ONLY RH Slider is necessary, but my OCD needed them to match...
46449-08 SLIDER ASY, RH (883R w/ 25MM axle in MATTE Black)
46450-08 SLIDER ASY, LH (883R w/ 25MM axle in MATTE Black)

I still need to collect some misc parts, as well as brake lines so this list will be updated as I progress...

Also worth noting that unrelated to the brakes, I will also be adding Progressive Monotube shocks from a 1200c (4" travel) and a probably a Superbrace (for stability, as well as solving a "where will my Gators sit now that the lowers dont have gator grooves" question)

 

Goodridge Econoline Front Brake Line Kit - Tri-Piece - Stock Length HD8248-A
silver/steel.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

the black steel ones are out there sneaking around too... i'm assuming you want black

 

Parts collection is almost done, still havent settled on the front lines yet, I like some of the round splitters I have seen so I am gonna do a little more research on that. 883R Batte Black lower tubes arrived, Touring black Brembos and master cylinder are on hand and the new rotors JUST arrived, went with the new black star style because I think they look WAY better than the older touring/Vrod floating rotors.
Here is a stock photo of the split 7 rotor in Black


I dont have a ton of room in my motorcycle shed, but I did add a very useful tool this weekend due to a holiday sale at our favorite "cheap" tool supply house....

Some people complain about the chalk, but for my use its fine. I wouldnt rely on it without a strap but I dont feel the need to replace it.

Got my own lift!
now I expect my front end upgrades to go ALOT smoother when I finish collecting parts.

The buell is parked on it for now, as it never sees the road anymore.... I plan to try and bring it back to its former glory one day (leaks from most seals, and idle issues from race tune) and I suspect that will also be alot easier now!

Here's a couple shots of the lift, Couldn't resist at the price...

 

i like the split 7 rotors.

 

Did you have any problems with the rear turn signal stalk and bolt when you added your side plates for the sissy bar. I add rigid side plates to my 2016 iron and i cannot for the life of me get both left and right turn signal bolts to come through the fender so i could tighten them down.

Also... your bike looks great. They don't make the 'nightster' anymore. What's the closest to it now the 1200 Custom maybe. How big is your gas tank? I like the 48 but that cool gas tank is too small.

 

The 'Quick Detach' sideplates allow you to add/remove the sissybar/rack
without touching the turn signal stalks. There's a 'cutout' in the plate
so it doesn't touch the stalk.


The tank is a 3.3gallon tank. IMHO, the 'closest' to the Nightster (except
for engine size) would be the Iron. The Iron has cast wheels however.
Some like spokes, some like cast, to each his/her own...


hth,


T.

 

Thanks for the compliments, as mentioned by WKNDS, the sissy bar I have attaches with a Quick Disconnect kit and that stand alone kit comes with supplied hardware.

As for the Nightster, the Iron was a direct copy of the Nightster other than the wheels and engine size, this is why it was dubbed the XL883N where the nightster is the XL1200N

In todays lineup, the Roadster is where I would find myself.

Obvious Features the new Roadster share with the old Nightster:
3.3Gal tank
1200 engine
Mid foot controls (I have forwards on mine, like the 48)

Obvious differences in the new Roadster:
inverted front suspension
factory Analog Tach/Digital speedo combo gauge
dual front brakes
wide alloy rims for modern tubeless tires
emulsion rear shocks
even MORE of a chopped rear fender


I am a cheap SOB, and the Roadster was JUST announced when I decided to buy my used Nightster, and after tax and licensing the Roadster would have been about exactly 2x what I paid for my used Nightster. I have no regrets for my bike, but if I was on the market today and wanted to up my budget a little, I would be looking at Roadsters (for the suspension and brake upgrades alone)

That said, if I wanted to stay in the 7k budget area, I would have no qualms buying another Nightster or 48 and making it my own. (99% of my riding is local, so the smaller tank on the 48 is annoying but no DEAL BREAKER for me)

That said, the Irons are cool bikes, and pretty affordable, but I just wouldn't buy an 883. 883's are great bikes, I just have no interest in the smaller engine, nor do I want to buy a bike knowing I will be replacing the top end of the engine when the motor I want comes in huge selection of other sportsters...


Side note: I haven't given up on my dual brake upgrade and cartridge shock upgrade, I just haven't had the time to tear into my bike. I did get my Ducati sold, so there's more room in my Bike shed to use my lift, so that's a big plus. in due time, its just getting too nice with the weather to tear it apart just yet....