883 to 1200 Conversion....Should I?
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Joined: Jan 2009
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From: na
883 to 1200 Conversion....Should I?
Quick background - Got a ridiculous deal on my bike since it had been sitting in a garage for 5 years. Only had about 600 miles on it. So I bought it knowing that the power was slightly less than ideal.
I love the bike so far and am considering the 1200 conversion.
1) Am I just going to kill the reliability of the bike?
2) What am I doing to the resale value?
3) I was told approximately $500-$700 in parts. Is that true?
4) Will it make driving on the highway at 80mph more tolerable?
5) Any other things I should be aware of?
Thanks for the help.
I love the bike so far and am considering the 1200 conversion.
1) Am I just going to kill the reliability of the bike?
2) What am I doing to the resale value?
3) I was told approximately $500-$700 in parts. Is that true?
4) Will it make driving on the highway at 80mph more tolerable?
5) Any other things I should be aware of?
Thanks for the help.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 564
Likes: 3
From: Orange County, CA
Hi JBG,
I've seen your bike at Cook's and such.
I stumbled across a shop called Jim's Specialties located at 1233 E. Orangethorpe Ave in Fullerton 92831; (714) 738-3918. This is a throwback shop owned by guys about my dad's age-- the owner rides an old jockey shifted Panhead parked out front, and they carry jockey shift levers for BTs right on the shelf. Anyway, in speaking with Allen (nice guy, big coke bottle glasses, been at it over 35 years, loves drag racing) they will do a conversion for $1,100 including the parts. Allen even showed me a pair of 1200 conversion cylinders (they were silver) in their display case that they keep on hand just for guys like us. Allen told me they get quite a bit of work from Anaheim-Fullerton HD which is 3 miles directly west on Orangethorpe, as Anaheim HD won't work on anything that is 10 years old or older. As an aside, I spoke to the service guy at Anaheim HD, and their estimate to do a conversion was closer to $2K.
I've seen your bike at Cook's and such.
I stumbled across a shop called Jim's Specialties located at 1233 E. Orangethorpe Ave in Fullerton 92831; (714) 738-3918. This is a throwback shop owned by guys about my dad's age-- the owner rides an old jockey shifted Panhead parked out front, and they carry jockey shift levers for BTs right on the shelf. Anyway, in speaking with Allen (nice guy, big coke bottle glasses, been at it over 35 years, loves drag racing) they will do a conversion for $1,100 including the parts. Allen even showed me a pair of 1200 conversion cylinders (they were silver) in their display case that they keep on hand just for guys like us. Allen told me they get quite a bit of work from Anaheim-Fullerton HD which is 3 miles directly west on Orangethorpe, as Anaheim HD won't work on anything that is 10 years old or older. As an aside, I spoke to the service guy at Anaheim HD, and their estimate to do a conversion was closer to $2K.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
Talk to NRHS they are the Experts in the 1200-1250 Conversion Builds They have Kits that if have any wrenching knowledge at all can do it yourself.. Sportster Manual is a Must.. Also Suggest going to a 29 or 30T Tranny Sprocket another simple change out to gear it to lower RPMS at higher Rates of Speed such as 80MPH .. Well worth doing this especially with the satisfaction of doing it yourself...
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 0
From: Marietta, Ohio
i would absolutely recommend it, especially if you're bored with the speed of the 883. The other options would be to hop up the 883 with cams and headwork, but that's more expensive than the conversion. I have the NRHS 1250 kit in mine, and i love it. I've built several motors from the ground up, and harleys are no different. i did come across a link to a video once, it was a couple years ago though, but it's definitely something you can do yourself with a service manual. I would recommend having a clean shop to do it in, and I would clean the frame and underside of the gas tank and anything that might have dirt on it that could fall into the crankcase while you've got it apart. Just keep everything clean and organized and it should be a fun weekend project.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Garden Grove, CA
I had mine done at Westminster HD for about $1,100 with what they called the HD Big Bore Kit. I commute to work every day from Garden Grove to Los Angeles and love the bike. I did not change the gearing and love the torque and speed. it is reliable - I did have one minor oil leak that was fixed under warranty. I put about 10K miles on it since the conversion was done.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,122
Likes: 44
From: Boise Idaho
It is worth the money, but just doing a Cheapo 1200 conversion isn't going to make it a racer but it will increase the performance .
It's not going to increase your resale value just like anything else you do to your bike.
It will not effect the reliability of your bike.
If you upgrade the gear ratio to the 1200 final drive gearing it will run better at higher speeds.
Just for your information, I installed a Zippers Torqster kit in my wifes bike and it works very well for $1200, and I installed a Head Quarters kit on my bike for $1800 and it is almost dangerous when combined with the ape hangers I use.
It's not going to increase your resale value just like anything else you do to your bike.
It will not effect the reliability of your bike.
If you upgrade the gear ratio to the 1200 final drive gearing it will run better at higher speeds.
Just for your information, I installed a Zippers Torqster kit in my wifes bike and it works very well for $1200, and I installed a Head Quarters kit on my bike for $1800 and it is almost dangerous when combined with the ape hangers I use.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 765
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
DEFINITELY!!!
The conversion is a must as far as I am concerned. I have not messed with the sprocket change YET, but I am definitely going to convert to the 29T sprocket which is stock in the 1200. I have taken several long trips and it's tough to run 80mph all day with the big bikes geared the way it is.
As far as resale goes. I just yesterday called the dealer and inquired about trading in/up. I told him ALL about my bike and his response was" the VIN says it's an 883, as far as I am concerned it's an 883 and all the extras like chrome and the such don't mean anything to me either". All they would consider offering was what Kelley Blue Book said it was worth. My response was a big F.U. I PROMISE YOU, They would not re sell it as a stock 883! BUT that is the dealer world. In the real world, you would most likely get a better price. Just remember, Harley's are like a bad relationship....you never get out of them what you put into them!
The conversion is a must as far as I am concerned. I have not messed with the sprocket change YET, but I am definitely going to convert to the 29T sprocket which is stock in the 1200. I have taken several long trips and it's tough to run 80mph all day with the big bikes geared the way it is.
As far as resale goes. I just yesterday called the dealer and inquired about trading in/up. I told him ALL about my bike and his response was" the VIN says it's an 883, as far as I am concerned it's an 883 and all the extras like chrome and the such don't mean anything to me either". All they would consider offering was what Kelley Blue Book said it was worth. My response was a big F.U. I PROMISE YOU, They would not re sell it as a stock 883! BUT that is the dealer world. In the real world, you would most likely get a better price. Just remember, Harley's are like a bad relationship....you never get out of them what you put into them!