Bought some drag pipes of EBay (l know, but wasn't sure l'd like them) and got them installed a minute ago. I noticed that the motor itself seemed hotter (could be me, or the outside temp) and when l let the throttle roll back to drop the empty, l'd catch a glimpse of a blue spark or flame inside the pipes, one or the other, but not both at once. I do need to retighten the flange to head nuts, if that matters. I've got a 02 883 with screaming eagle wires, a stage 1 carb kit, and different air cleaner. Is this normal, am l being paranoid, or is something wrong? For what it's worth, l had very slight discoloration of the old pipes at the heads. Most importantly, l LOVE the sound now! Advice, opinions, and suggestions appreciated y'all!!

 

Usually when installing new pipes, you need to re-jet the carb. for proper air intake, fuel flow and exhaust.

 

Also need to "dial in" the mixture screw

 

Understood. For what it's worth, l did install torque cones, and the choke was out about 1/4 of the way, as it was still "warming up". Maybe it was loading up with fuel?

 

Yup! Not enough air. Good luck, Brother!

 

Not enough air? So.......it might be alright once it reaches operating temp? I cut it off before that as l didn't want to damage anything. And maybe it'd be okay once it goes down the road, as it will get more air forced into the filter assembly?

 

I just put a 2 into 1 on my Fatboy. Had to re-jet my S & S and adjust air mixture and my accelerater pump screw. Next ride about 30mph getting on and off throttle(testing intermediate jet). If when you get on it and it "bogs down = need bigger inter. jet.

Then get on highway @ 50 - 65 in third (to test main jet), if coughing = increase jet size, if bogging down = decrease. Also, if in second or third, go down a hill and backoff throttle (if it pops it's too lean and need to increase inter. jet Good luck

 

Hopefully it rides alright. Trying to avoid going to the dealership as l don't know crap about carb adjustments. Anyone else?

 

You're not gonna like what I've got to tell ya - but aside from WOT, drag pipes suck.

There are a lot of articles that describe the "why" in great detail - but, in summary, your pipes don't have sufficient volume to time the arrival of the reversion wave at the combustion chamber at a beneficial time to help accelerate the incoming charge. To the contrary, at all but the very narrow RPM band for which the length/diameter of your pipes will work, the effect will serve to dilute the incoming charge, and make your bike weak at those other RPMs.

You don't have to take my word for it, and I'd strongly suggest that you don't - do a couple hours reading, and learn from those who've cared enough to try to educate the masses.

As to you question, though - hot usually equals lean - and if you had the stock restrictive pipes on the bike prior to this, you probably need to rejet.

For an 883, I'd suggest the following starting point: 42 Pilot jet, 170/175 main jet, idle mixture screw 1 3/4 - 2 1/4 turns out from bottomed.

 

I'm open to any and all opinions. No offense taken, trust me. Nobody knows everything. -except the man upstairs- The responses l've received so far confirm my decision to buy an inexpensive set of pipes. As far as the carb goes, all I can tell you is that it has the Stage 1 carb kit. No idea on jet sizes. The bike originally had stock pipes with SE II'S on it, then I swapped to a Kraft Tech system, but it still wasn't loud enough for my liking, not sure why. Thanks for the replies, any other thoughts, folks?