This is the full list for Lilia, my 2018 Harley XL883N Iron. What's done, what's planned, and why. I keep the whole thing in one running log, so this is pulled straight from that.

First, the goal, because everything else hangs off it. The goal is not to keep Lilia beginner friendly. I'm building a high output, smaller cc bike that's still comfortable on the highway two up. Cruising is the first priority. But I also want her to put up a pretty good fight against anything that might try to run her. She doesn't have to win every time. I want people to think twice about running her again.

The gearing

This is the part I've thought about the most, so it goes first. I went looking at pulley upgrades with a focus on a higher top speed. The plan is two stages.

Stage 1: a 30 tooth front pulley. This one goes on before the big bore swap.

Lilia's Build List (And Why)

Stage 2: a 66 tooth rear pulley. This one waits until the 1275 big bore is done. The 66 changes acceleration and performance beyond what the 883 could handle. The 1275 can handle it, and it keeps fifth unassuming.

When it's all in, that's 30 front, 66 rear. The tall cruise is intentional. Fifth stays quieter on the highway, and when she needs to move, I drop to fourth so she can use the power if it's needed. That fits the goal: cruising first, power on tap.

Changing pulleys throws off the speedometer, so a speedometer calibration is on the list after the swap.

More on the cruise side of it here: Why the 30/66 Cruise Is Intentional

Lilia's Build List (And Why)

Done so far

  • Tank lift
  • Tail light relocation
  • Ignition switch and coil relocation
  • LED lighting upgrade, with the LED relearn done so the left turn signals don't hyperflash
  • Forward controls
  • 2 up seat and passenger footpegs, for passenger comfort
  • E3 spark plugs, for economy. That added 7 miles before the low fuel light comes on.
  • EnergyOne extra plate kit with a 15% spring, plus a new sealed stator, in June 2025 (EnergyOne Clutch Prep)
  • PC Racing reusable oil filter, for better filtration and reusability (Reusable Oil Filter)
  • Fuel plate gasket replaced after it started leaking
  • Mid frame air deflectors
  • New brake pads
  • Security seat bolt (New Seat Bolt: Dragon's Blood Starts Here)

Fixes before upgrades

All fixes come before the upgrades. That's the rule.

  • Oil drain line. The current one is fuel-only hose. It needs hydraulic hose, and a 90 at the bend, because the hose cracks there. It sits behind the rear cylinder, which puts off a lot of heat, so I want something more heat resistant than plastic. I'm building it with Evil Energy parts. (Oil Drain Line Cracking Again)
  • New rear wheel bearing
  • Forward control shift linkage. The one I have is failing.
  • Bent bars, most likely from when I went down Memorial Day weekend 2024
  • Larger clutch cover with a derby cover. The derby cover threads are stripped. Derby and timing covers will be Harley-Davidson Motor Co. covers.
  • A new fuel level sensor
Lilia's Build List (And Why)

The motor

  • ThunderMax goes in as one of the first items. Even a stock 883 gets its full potential unlocked with it.
  • 1275 kit, aiming for the 120 hp kit, with the heads ported before installation. SLEDGE+ port.
  • Crush 600 cam, with compatible valve springs and valves.
  • Bigger throttle body with the 1275 and the ported heads. The reason: a Sportster starts feeling gutless at the top of the power band because it chokes. I'm swapping to the SE 58mm so I have more freedom to run an air cleaner I actually like.
  • Trask Assault exhaust and the Assault Charge intake, with a rain sock. The Assault Charge transfers over to the new throttle body.
  • Bronze oil pump gear
  • S&S billet tappet cuffs
  • Breather bolts
  • Fuel pump refresh. The pump itself runs fine. I just want to refresh everything before the assembly moves to the new tank.

Everything else planned

  • REM 5.28 gallon tank. That's a requirement. It replaced the Doss 4.5 I had on the list first. Paired with the fuel level sensor kit and an updated speedometer.
  • 12 inch heavy duty rear shocks
  • Progressive fork cartridge when the forks need a rebuild, and a fork brace
  • Tires upgraded. Keeping the wheels.
  • Braided front and rear brake lines, custom made by HEL Performance
  • Rear brake upgrade to a 300mm floating rotor, plus a longer brake pedal linkage. Split in two: the linkage happens with the forward controls refresh, the rotor with the rear wheel.
  • 12 inch club style T-bars, a gauge mount on top, and new clutch and throttle cables to match
  • Sealed Posh kill switch. I already use the kill switch to stop and start the bike, and I want something that stands up to daily use.
  • Security BCM with a fob, and a siren
  • Touring seat with a backrest for the passenger
  • Sissy bar stays because of the fold down luggage rack
  • Swingarm bag to replace the worn out fork bag
  • Hand guards for the grips
Lilia's Build List (And Why)

What's off the list

I looked at a billet swingarm. It stays off. No point in buying something that doesn't help performance.

The look

The final color is dragon's blood. The chrome parts that are left will be painted maroon, and the tank gets a black Bar and Shield vinyl. K&B Coatings out of Dewey is doing the powder coat and Cerakote, and Coachmen's Collision is doing the paint on the fenders and tank. The tank design is its own story: Lilia Tank Design: Armillary Sphere

That's the list. It changes as I go, and I'll keep posting the work as it happens.