Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

883 Upgrade?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 8, 2005 | 09:53 AM
  #1  
bobzharley41's Avatar
bobzharley41
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Default 883 Upgrade?

What all is involved to turn an 883 into a 1200?What would probably be the cost if done by dealer?Also is it worth it if I mainly just ride around town or 200 mile round trips to Myrtle Beach.
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2005 | 11:24 AM
  #2  
MuddyXL's Avatar
MuddyXL
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: 883 Upgrade?

I'd say whatever the cost it's "worth it" if you want it bad enough. That covers pretty much anything in life. Me, I enjoy my stock 883 more every time I ride it. Down the road if I get bored with her I might buy her a bigger set of jugs but better suspension is higher on my priority list right now.
 
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2005 | 11:48 AM
  #3  
locnkey's Avatar
locnkey
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: 883 Upgrade?

hi, i bought a 05 883 for my wife to learn to ride, it matches my 05 EG std efi. When my wife learns to ride pretty good i would ike to do the 1200 upgrade and let my son ride. Jack
 
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2005 | 02:50 PM
  #4  
bobzharley41's Avatar
bobzharley41
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Default RE: 883 Upgrade?

Help Anybody?
 
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2005 | 03:12 PM
  #5  
brohrs's Avatar
brohrs
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 557
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: 883 Upgrade?

Anywhere from 600 to 1000 $$$$ The best way is to buy the kit which are new cylinders. Some people prefer having them bored out. What you get in the end are larger pistons and more power. For the cost I would just ride the **** out of the 883 and when she is old and tired buy a 1200C.
 
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2005 | 03:35 PM
  #6  
MegaHDman's Avatar
MegaHDman
Banned
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 802
Likes: 3
From:
Default RE: 883 Upgrade?


ORIGINAL: brohrs

Anywhere from 600 to 1000 $$$$ The best way is to buy the kit which are new cylinders. Some people prefer having them bored out. What you get in the end are larger pistons and more power. For the cost I would just ride the **** out of the 883 and when she is old and tired buy a 1200C.
The best way is NOT to buy new cylinders. Best way is to bore out your existing ones, its also much cheaper too. Buy a set of qood quality pistons and have your old jugs bored(with torque plates) and clearanced(piston to bore clerance)to perfectly match up with your new pistons. Boring out your existing jugs gives you many advantages and since the cylinders are fully seasoned(meaning they have gone through the natural stress relief and formed into their final shape), you will get a much better seal to your new pistons due to a much straighter(round)bore. I have seen too many new factory 1200 jugs that were very much out of round and had poor sealing qualities. Were talking many thousands out of round. Your rings can and confrom so much to an out of round cylinder. You will spend about $500 in parts for new pistons,rings,gaskets and have your cylinders bored out and matched. Here is a link to a place that has really good deals on the process: http://www.nrhsperformance.com/mwcylbore.shtml
 
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2005 | 01:47 AM
  #7  
mikeisglidn's Avatar
mikeisglidn
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,954
Likes: 9
From: jacksonville, nc
Default RE: 883 Upgrade?

i went with new cylinders and forged pistons, after about 500 miles of easy riding i cranked down on the throttle and felt like i was gonna get thrown off the back. 21,000 miles later still feels the same to me. i have absolutlly NO problem with new jugs! besides when you have all the stuff right there the bike is usually in and out in one day.
 
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2005 | 09:33 PM
  #8  
Wolhar's Avatar
Wolhar
Banned
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 14,082
Likes: 8
Default RE: 883 Upgrade?

You tell um mike,oh thanks for the help on the supply and delivery this past wek. it went well!
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 11, 2005 | 09:58 PM
  #9  
MegaHDman's Avatar
MegaHDman
Banned
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 802
Likes: 3
From:
Default RE: 883 Upgrade?


ORIGINAL: mikeisglidn

i went with new cylinders and forged pistons, after about 500 miles of easy riding i cranked down on the throttle and felt like i was gonna get thrown off the back. 21,000 miles later still feels the same to me. i have absolutlly NO problem with new jugs! besides when you have all the stuff right there the bike is usually in and out in one day.
Nobody said you cant do new jugs, its just not the best way to do it, especially if your doing forged pistons which are a poor combination with iron lined cylinders to begin with. 9 out of 10 times tolerances will be poor and unchecked as dealership techs normally don't check anything(or even have the proper measuring tools to do it) and just slap em together as fast as possible. I have pulled countless builds apart and have found rings poorly gapped, obvious signs where the piston ring never even came in contact with the cylinder wall, and signs of scoring from pistonslap which is common with loose fitting forged pistons inside a iron lined cylinder. Some people don't care as long as the bike seems to run ok in their eyes, some people do and want the maximum benefits that a careful install will produce, thats the way it is.
 
Reply
Old Dec 12, 2005 | 11:23 PM
  #10  
molsenice's Avatar
molsenice
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 2
From: Glens Falls, NY
Default RE: 883 Upgrade?

there is a ton of threads on this in the tech section - my .02 read all of um, then decided what is best for you - that way, you'll not only know whats going on, you'll have the pride of making decisions on all the little things that will most likely go into a build up - let us know how it goes
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:24 AM.

story-0
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-6
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-7
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-8
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE