883 Conversion Questions
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 93
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RE: 883 Conversion Questions
883 is bigger than you think. just get it and dont worry about upgrading for a few months. you might even feel you dont have to.
but DO go stage 1.
anyways my '88 883 is all stock and has insane acceleration and power.
I have an 07 883 and the speed is plenty fast. I can hit over 70 in no time flat . I mean the thing moves. It's a 900 bike . The thing often feels like it's going to run out from under me. I don't see the need for more speed. Just me though. If you got the money go for it
but DO go stage 1.
anyways my '88 883 is all stock and has insane acceleration and power.
I have an 07 883 and the speed is plenty fast. I can hit over 70 in no time flat . I mean the thing moves. It's a 900 bike . The thing often feels like it's going to run out from under me. I don't see the need for more speed. Just me though. If you got the money go for it
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 135
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From:
RE: 883 Conversion Questions
My 883 is plenty fast..its more important to know how to use what you got than to have alot of power you cannot control or access.I frequently run circles around bigger bikes.I ride two-up from time to time and cannot report any problems..I dont race when I'm 2-up so speed is not an issue..so long as its fast enuff to get outta the way and it is.Look around for a bike you can afford and go from there...better an 883 than a Honda.Get it???
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
RE: 883 Conversion Questions
I've seen conversion kits for as little as $350 and as much as $1,000. If you do the work yourself, that cost should be minimal. Depending on your tools on hand, you might have to purchase some tools to do the conversion. If it's a carb bike you'll just have to do a re-jet of the carb, which can be done for $15 or less. FI will be more, unless you have the computer equipment on hand to do that yourself.
As far as a converted 883 being faster than a 1200. NO. Quicker..YES. At least with the stock ignition module. You will still be limited to the same rpm level with the 883 gearing, which will not result in a faster top end speed than a 1200. But you'll get to that top end a hell of a lot quicker with a 1200 that has 883 gearing.
I'm thinking about getting the nhra conversion kit. It is a 1250, can be purchased for around $650. There is also a company that frequently lists, on ebay,a conversion kit that includes Buell heads for $900. That would be one sWeeeet bike I think.
As far as a converted 883 being faster than a 1200. NO. Quicker..YES. At least with the stock ignition module. You will still be limited to the same rpm level with the 883 gearing, which will not result in a faster top end speed than a 1200. But you'll get to that top end a hell of a lot quicker with a 1200 that has 883 gearing.
I'm thinking about getting the nhra conversion kit. It is a 1250, can be purchased for around $650. There is also a company that frequently lists, on ebay,a conversion kit that includes Buell heads for $900. That would be one sWeeeet bike I think.
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 6
From: Londonderry, NH
RE: 883 Conversion Questions
sporty pig!!! Do NOT get the nrhs kit!! It has been found to creat oil consumption issues in the 04-06 sportsters. Read the xl forums. I believe all but one person that had that kit installed (in 04 and up sportsters) had massive oil consumption issues.
If you had a 2003 sportster, i'd tell you to go for it. But yours is an 06. Do not take the risk.
Rob
If you had a 2003 sportster, i'd tell you to go for it. But yours is an 06. Do not take the risk.
Rob
Cruiser
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Missouri
RE: 883 Conversion Questions
I converted my '98 883 for a little under $500. Pistons and a fullset of gaskets (including transmission and other gaskets I have not used) came off of ebay for just under 200. An indy shop in Springfield Mo, A/C Precision Fabrication, bored the jugs for 100 per hole and I probably spent another 30 or 40 on hand tools that I did not already have. So, I guess I did it for a little under 450. It took me a week of my spare time after work. It was back up and running within 2 weeks because the jugs were at the shop for a week. I have not changed exhaust, heads, or carb. I did have to retard the timing by probably 10*. Fuel mileage has changed hardly at all and I have tons of torque that I did not have before.Mywife rides with me 2 up often and the conversion made a big difference in the way the bikelaunches and handles hills when 2 up. We rode the needles highway at Sturgis this year and it was as ifshe were not on the bike.
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,815
Likes: 16
From: Virginia
RE: 883 Conversion Questions
Yep I was one of those on XL Forum with oil consumption issues after having the NRHS 1250 kit installed. I would go through a quart of oil about every 500 miles. It sucked *** and was embarrassing. I was gonna try and keep it until a solution was found but so far it's still an ongoing problem with no solution.
Some others have had better luck with the Harley 1200 conversion but I would still be weary if you have an 04+ bike.
Some others have had better luck with the Harley 1200 conversion but I would still be weary if you have an 04+ bike.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Norcal
RE: 883 Conversion Questions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNOgFnqtTaQ
Here is the pics of my conversion. The V-Twin kit using my old 883 heads and the upper end gaskets cost me $550. After I also put in the SE ignition for $119. Last year I did the SE air cleaner and the pipes, which made a difference to start with. Mine is an 06 with a carb. I also rejeted.
Here is the pics of my conversion. The V-Twin kit using my old 883 heads and the upper end gaskets cost me $550. After I also put in the SE ignition for $119. Last year I did the SE air cleaner and the pipes, which made a difference to start with. Mine is an 06 with a carb. I also rejeted.
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