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

883 to 1200 Conversion

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 5, 2009 | 04:54 PM
  #11  
karaokeman's Avatar
karaokeman
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
From: Freehold, NJ
Default

dumb question? Will the bike sound the same ? Is there any additional sound coming from the 1200 vs the 883 with the same pipes ?
 
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2009 | 05:22 PM
  #12  
jag1886's Avatar
jag1886
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,122
Likes: 43
From: Boise Idaho
Default

Originally Posted by WRAITH
Did you know, you can convert to an 88 ci for a little more.
This is an extreme under statement!!
 
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2009 | 05:26 PM
  #13  
jag1886's Avatar
jag1886
Grand HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,122
Likes: 43
From: Boise Idaho
Default

Originally Posted by DENGUY
If you convert an 883 to 1200 how does the 883 trans gearing work out for you?
The gearing works fine if you do a lot of intown or backroad 2 lane stuff, if you want to use your bike on the Interstate or at speeds above 55mph alot it would pay to change out the front drive sprocket to the 1200 sprocket, it will lower the engine RPM's at those higher speeds.
 
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2009 | 07:23 PM
  #14  
HarleyScuba's Avatar
HarleyScuba
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
Default

Originally Posted by karaokeman
dumb question? Will the bike sound the same ? Is there any additional sound coming from the 1200 vs the 883 with the same pipes ?
No
No
Yes
 
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2009 | 07:34 PM
  #15  
meathead1134's Avatar
meathead1134
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: southeastern MA near RI
Default

Originally Posted by karaokeman
dumb question? Will the bike sound the same ? Is there any additional sound coming from the 1200 vs the 883 with the same pipes ?

No it will not sound the same, it will sound deaper. I noticed the difference as soon as I started it up. I had the conversion done on my 04.
 
Reply
Old Oct 5, 2009 | 07:35 PM
  #16  
meathead1134's Avatar
meathead1134
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: southeastern MA near RI
Default

Originally Posted by DENGUY
If you convert an 883 to 1200 how does the 883 trans gearing work out for you?

It will be fine, I rode to NH with it done and I still got 52 miles per gallon. You will not have to down shift to pass somebody either.
 
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2009 | 05:26 AM
  #17  
trmac's Avatar
trmac
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 22,912
Likes: 75
From: Okinawa, Japan
Default

Originally Posted by DENGUY
If you convert an 883 to 1200 how does the 883 trans gearing work out for you?
Works great.

Just be careful til you get used to the extra power. Accidently lifted the front end once taking off from a light (and did not pop the clutch) and one other time when I was already rolling - a little more than 1/2 way thru 1st when I goosed it.
 
Reply
Old Oct 6, 2009 | 11:34 AM
  #18  
mjmangus's Avatar
mjmangus
Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
From: High Desert of So Cal
Default

Originally Posted by xFreebirdx
Usually it's a taller gear in front that gives the bike longer legs. If I change out my front 27 tooth to a 29 tooth I'll lower the RPM's about 300.
Yes your right, my bad. What you described is exactly what I did. Sorry guys.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 7, 2009 | 07:04 PM
  #19  
OldSport883's Avatar
OldSport883
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Medford, OR
Default Cost

So, about what is the cost of the 883/1200 conversion, if done at the dealer?
Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2009 | 07:10 PM
  #20  
JayStronghawk's Avatar
JayStronghawk
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
Cool

Originally Posted by OldSport883
So, about what is the cost of the 883/1200 conversion, if done at the dealer?
Thanks.
Depends on the dealer .. A reasonable Price with parts and labor would be around 1,000.00 But bet you get quoted more like 2,000.00
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:39 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE