Is a 1996 883 with chain drive stock?

Question

bike has extensive eng modifications, runs like crazy, the guy that sold it said it was a 1200, eng and frame numbers match and say it is a "96 883. it has a chain final drive. i want to put a belt drive on it. Does any one have any idea why it would have a chain on it? how about a good kit to change it over?

Answer 1

he probably did the chain for a larger tire or to make sproket teeth changes, something you cant do with the belt. you wont break a belt with a 1200 sporty (unless its been stroked and you dont know but if it was stroked you would know) just go on ebay and buy a belt and the two pulleysI would use the 883 front pulley it will give you some nice out of the hole speed being as small as it is (the pulley I mean) :)

Answer 2

People go to a chain to handle major increases in power. They also sometimes go to a chain to make it easier to use a fatter tire. I have had bikes with both, and the belt is much easier to have, but a chain isn't that much trouble either. I would just leave it until it wears out.

Another thing to think about is that a 12 year old Sportster is only worth in the neighborhood of $4,000.00 these days, and there are plenty out there for less. (I just saw a nice '98 883 in nearly perfect condition go unsold for weeks at $3,800 in some online classifieds.)

The bike you are talking about has obviously been converted to a 1200 which is an easy project, but deadly to your engine if it is done wrong. There are also a lot of tuning issues to be done after the conversion that can be tough if you don't know what you are doing. If the bike has been messed with, the best advice is to just walk away and keep your eyes open.

If you do buy the bike, look on ebay for all the pieces you need. They will be much cheaper than buying new, and a lot of times they will be hardly used at all.

Answer 3

No its not stock on a 96. Check the 10th digit of the VIN number. If its a 96, the 10th digit will be a 6

Answer 4

chains are far superior to belts, belt drives belong on farm machinery