883 vs 1200
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 304
Likes: 2
From: Oklahoma City
That's what I have been taught Old Fart Old wize one.
They got the 883 bikes off their *** with gears. Changing out the displacement makes for more power but the gear raito is still the same. Seems like to Me that would have to be changed for the normal Rider unless higher rpm was ok with the Dude.
Now if the stop light grand indy race was the goal that little girl would kick some major Butt.
JonMon
They got the 883 bikes off their *** with gears. Changing out the displacement makes for more power but the gear raito is still the same. Seems like to Me that would have to be changed for the normal Rider unless higher rpm was ok with the Dude.
Now if the stop light grand indy race was the goal that little girl would kick some major Butt.
JonMon
Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, TN
Just did mine...
Just did mine...883...28 to a 29 tooth. Better top, noticable, but not extreme. Glad i did not go more now that I have taken on the hills...have to shift down a bit more than with the 2 tooth. But the highway miles make up for it, and I get about 2 to 3 mpg more now.
(Corrected the speedometer with a Dakota Digital, love it, and it adds a Tach and clock, etc. Wish I had bought that before the change out so I would tell exactly the rpm difference at which speeds.)
I am glad I did not go 30 tooth for my riding routes...it would have been a bit too much, I think. If I had a 1200, I definitely would.
(Corrected the speedometer with a Dakota Digital, love it, and it adds a Tach and clock, etc. Wish I had bought that before the change out so I would tell exactly the rpm difference at which speeds.)
I am glad I did not go 30 tooth for my riding routes...it would have been a bit too much, I think. If I had a 1200, I definitely would.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, TN
Good question...
My impressions:
No, not really. Still comfortable even on my hilly route.
At 60 mph, mine now runs almost 3200 rpm...
...at 75 or 76 it runs 4,000.
A stock 1200 would be going 82 at 4,000 revs, BUT, a stock 883 would only be doing 71, so, I gained about 5 mph at the same revs.
SO, in other words, almost half way between the stock 883 and 1200 with the 29 tooth pulley on my XL2006 883.
(If your internal gear ratios are different, it would change the results, of course.)
At 30 tooth would probably equalize the two, but, you definitely would notice theloss of torque on the lower end...the 1st gear would be really high, and it is pretty high as stock already.
Not drastic change but noticable, especially up to 65-70 range...after that the wind does not let me tell the difference.
One hill I have to shift down to 3rd on the eay to work...I did coast around it in 4th before, still not much difference, except for about 3 miles per gallon better milage now. You can get a 29 tooth pulley for just over $50 if you shop around. Email me if you need a source...I'll have to look it up.
RBar
No, not really. Still comfortable even on my hilly route.
At 60 mph, mine now runs almost 3200 rpm...
...at 75 or 76 it runs 4,000.
A stock 1200 would be going 82 at 4,000 revs, BUT, a stock 883 would only be doing 71, so, I gained about 5 mph at the same revs.
SO, in other words, almost half way between the stock 883 and 1200 with the 29 tooth pulley on my XL2006 883.
(If your internal gear ratios are different, it would change the results, of course.)
At 30 tooth would probably equalize the two, but, you definitely would notice theloss of torque on the lower end...the 1st gear would be really high, and it is pretty high as stock already.
Not drastic change but noticable, especially up to 65-70 range...after that the wind does not let me tell the difference.
One hill I have to shift down to 3rd on the eay to work...I did coast around it in 4th before, still not much difference, except for about 3 miles per gallon better milage now. You can get a 29 tooth pulley for just over $50 if you shop around. Email me if you need a source...I'll have to look it up.
RBar
Novice
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
Does anything have to be done on the speedometer when you change the front sprocket? I was a bit frustrated with the harley dealership. I spoke with them about changing the top end and the guy behind the desk told me Sportsers are putting around town not highway. I was very disappointed with the answer if I can cruise on 400 down the highway them 883 should do fine as well. Still looking for the sproket does anyone know if you have to change the belt? Can anyone make a suggestion on seats for a 2005 883 3.3 gal? I find after 100 miles I cant feel my butt LOL! it takes a while to feel again.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
If and when I get around to converting my 883 to a 1200 I will see how it goes on its 883 gearing before making any changes. Harleys have high stock gearing these days and a little less is a good thing IMHO.
Agree entirely! Which is why I suggest keeping 883 gearing for a 1200. I had a Dyna TC88 for several years and changed the stock compensator from 25T to 21T. That really woke it up! Unfortunately these days owners tend to ADD gearing, instead of taking it away. The noise police have done that in spades, so we should reduce gearing, not increase it.
Agree entirely! Which is why I suggest keeping 883 gearing for a 1200. I had a Dyna TC88 for several years and changed the stock compensator from 25T to 21T. That really woke it up! Unfortunately these days owners tend to ADD gearing, instead of taking it away. The noise police have done that in spades, so we should reduce gearing, not increase it.
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Novice
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
I agree keeping 883 gearing for a 1200 conversion would make the bike have some major torque. But the rpm would be higher also correct? I am trying lower the highway rpm's the bike moves on take off. I am looking at reducing the vibrations and to me upping the teeth on the front sprocket would do well. Am I incorrect?
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 93
Likes: 49
From: CA
Hi:
I am a vendor.
Either reducing the number of teeth in the rear pulley or increasing the number in the front pulley reduces engine rpm at a given speed. Rear pulley options are limited and they require roughly two teeth to make the same ratio change as one tooth on the front. If you visit my website you can download a file that lists years '91-Up with available pulleys, rpm Vs mph. We have recently developed a 32 tooth front pulley for Sportsters. This pulley offers the same final ratio as a 55 tooth rear with a 29 tooth front for years '91-'03, and makes an '04-up 883 the same as a 1200. The really beautiful thing about the 32 tooth change is that it does not require a belt change. If you search for "Chuck Hawks" he has a list of things to do to make Sportsters more "road worthy", including reducing vibration at speed. Our site is 883Sportster.webs.com.
Some of the negatives about this pulley change are that some modifications need to be done to the pulley cover and mating standoffs on the engine case, and with an 883 you may not be able to smoke the rear tire or lift the front one; you'll just be able to drive past more gas stations!
I am a vendor.
Either reducing the number of teeth in the rear pulley or increasing the number in the front pulley reduces engine rpm at a given speed. Rear pulley options are limited and they require roughly two teeth to make the same ratio change as one tooth on the front. If you visit my website you can download a file that lists years '91-Up with available pulleys, rpm Vs mph. We have recently developed a 32 tooth front pulley for Sportsters. This pulley offers the same final ratio as a 55 tooth rear with a 29 tooth front for years '91-'03, and makes an '04-up 883 the same as a 1200. The really beautiful thing about the 32 tooth change is that it does not require a belt change. If you search for "Chuck Hawks" he has a list of things to do to make Sportsters more "road worthy", including reducing vibration at speed. Our site is 883Sportster.webs.com.
Some of the negatives about this pulley change are that some modifications need to be done to the pulley cover and mating standoffs on the engine case, and with an 883 you may not be able to smoke the rear tire or lift the front one; you'll just be able to drive past more gas stations!
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