Motorcycle Repair: Sportster Performance, xlh 883, samson exhaust systems

Question
Hi Johnny- I have a 2002 XLH 883 with the jetting kit, SE air filter, and Vance&Hines StraightShot pipes. The bike has ~19,000 miles and runs great, but I'd like to perk up the performance a bit. Because of insurance, I can't punch it out to 1200cc (premiums way too high). I was thinking of installing a set of Andrew's N4 cams, having the heads ported and polished, and swapping the OEM carb for either a Mikuni or S&S carb. My questions: 1. Which of these carbs do you feel would be better? 2. How much 'real world' improvement should I notice? I'm hoping to gain some low and mid-range benefits, not break the sound barrier. 3. Finally, can you offer any other suggestions as far as improving performance? Thanks, really enjoy your stuff. Will Fury

Answer
Hi Will.
The first real improvement to your bike would be to get rid of the Vance and Hines stright shots pipes. These and Samson exhaust systems are the worst of any exhaust system I have ever tested. Install a White brothers E series 2 into 1 exhaust system and your bike will come alive. A Mikuni HRS 42mm carb is the only way to go and I use Zipper's Red Shift cams Only. Punch out the engine will not raise your insurance if you do not tell them My 1991 883 is out to 1450 cc or 88 cubic inches making 145 horse power and 120 fl lbs of torque at the rear wheel, and it is inshured as a 883. Porting the heads will help but you also need to have bigger valves installed.  Johnny