883 to 1200
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: California
Still 883
Im the original owner, its got 26000 miles on it,mostly freeway and its still tight as a drum.there are definitely advantages to keeping it 883,the main one is longevity. I also had a 99 s model. I ported it,carbed it,ran python # 3 pipes,and andrews n8.cams.i ran a 30 tooth aluminum sprocket,ran a screaming eagle ignition with a 6800 rev limiter.toped out at just under 140.did 12 second garter mile.and all with stock valves pistons and springs.the duell plug heads were 10 to1 with flat tops.never a ping in it.so don't believe every thing every thing you hear about big bores ,squish bands and high lift,short overlap cams.if there were a way to put n8s in my 08 xb12 it would be sick.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: California
That was my 99 s model specs,I also posted my 883 specs.noware near those,but not bad considering its still 883
You need to read all of it
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: California
in my opinion thoes heads are the best.if I were in the market I would ****** them up.but thanks for the offer
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 1,202
From: river
thunderstorm, rubbermount 1200 and xb heads will outperform 1200s heads any day of the week in stock form.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: California
I love opinions based on whats heard by sellers of big bore piston kits.i have first hand exp. With all three. I have an 08 xb12,had a 1200s,and an 883r. All 3 have limitations the 883 heads won't guide get the peek hp,but not by much.but with any base porting job can easily get 80 ft lbs.of tourque.the 1200s heads have almost the perfect balance of low and good velocity even with low rpms under load.th xb heads if any thing are over ported.they can flow more at high rpms but poorly at less rpms.meaning less usable tourque.thats why all the later sportsters are geared for tree climbing to have any exceleration.if i were to use my xb top end on my xl .I would run n8 cams .I guarantee the motor would make more power and excelerate faster even much taller gearing even with 1200 disp.as my 1200s did.long stroke motors have a valve duration advantage in that the valves can stay open longer pryer to combustion,which is why they make more. Tourque per bang.if your cams mak more from 2to6000.it should excelerate faster with taller gearing as my 1200s did even with a 30 on the front and 61 on the back.my point is why force a motor to rev.past where you will have a faster motorcycle.every cam for a long stroke motor isn't always a trade off.as I found out with my own exp.sometimes its win win.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 1,202
From: river
I love opinions based on whats heard by sellers of big bore piston kits.i have first hand exp. With all three. I have an 08 xb12,had a 1200s,and an 883r. All 3 have limitations the 883 heads won't guide get the peek hp,but not by much.but with any base porting job can easily get 80 ft lbs.of tourque.the 1200s heads have almost the perfect balance of low and good velocity even with low rpms under load.th xb heads if any thing are over ported.they can flow more at high rpms but poorly at less rpms.meaning less usable tourque.thats why all the later sportsters are geared for tree climbing to have any exceleration.if i were to use my xb top end on my xl .I would run n8 cams .I guarantee the motor would make more power and excelerate faster even much taller gearing even with 1200 disp.as my 1200s did.long stroke motors have a valve duration advantage in that the valves can stay open longer pryer to combustion,which is why they make more. Tourque per bang.if your cams mak more from 2to6000.it should excelerate faster with taller gearing as my 1200s did even with a 30 on the front and 61 on the back.my point is why force a motor to rev.past where you will have a faster motorcycle.every cam for a long stroke motor isn't always a trade off.as I found out with my own exp.sometimes its win win.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: California
coming from someone who hasn't been alive as long as I've been doing it.that doesn't make me the wanabe.im 68 years old.have been riding,building,and racing motorcycles over 50 years.i don't need to jack threads.if anything they should jack mine.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 1,219
From: Dubuque, IA
I love opinions based on whats heard by sellers of big bore piston kits.i have first hand exp. With all three. I have an 08 xb12,had a 1200s,and an 883r. All 3 have limitations the 883 heads won't guide get the peek hp,but not by much.but with any base porting job can easily get 80 ft lbs.of tourque.the 1200s heads have almost the perfect balance of low and good velocity even with low rpms under load.th xb heads if any thing are over ported.they can flow more at high rpms but poorly at less rpms.meaning less usable tourque.thats why all the later sportsters are geared for tree climbing to have any exceleration.if i were to use my xb top end on my xl .I would run n8 cams .I guarantee the motor would make more power and excelerate faster even much taller gearing even with 1200 disp.as my 1200s did.long stroke motors have a valve duration advantage in that the valves can stay open longer pryer to combustion,which is why they make more. Tourque per bang.if your cams mak more from 2to6000.it should excelerate faster with taller gearing as my 1200s did even with a 30 on the front and 61 on the back.my point is why force a motor to rev.past where you will have a faster motorcycle.every cam for a long stroke motor isn't always a trade off.as I found out with my own exp.sometimes its win win.
Btw, those N8s are yesterday's cams.
Throw a set of Hammer 570s in a Rubbermount 1200 with stock XB heads and you will have power from start to 6000rpm.
The 883 is good for one thing...boring to 1200. Actually1275 even better. They wind up like a rubber band because they have to. Only way they can pull themselves up a hill. The heads need a lot of work to even use a good set of cams.
I'm sure the OP has been well taken care of by Hammer Performance by now.