883-1200 conversion
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Not sure what Cylinder kit your talking about, but no matter which one. The only way to change the transmission gear ratio is to physically remove the tranny and replace it with one with a different gear ratio.....
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Stock 1200 Sportsters have different overall gearing to 883s, but if you convert an 883 to a 1200 it is not necessary to change the gearing as well. Certainly if and when I do it to my bike I will try it with the engine mods before making any other changes. The increased engine performance will give better results compared with 1200 gearing.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 117
Likes: 1
From: Sin City
Since the 883s have a different bottom end as the 1200s, and I'm quite sure, that they are made that way to fit the capacity of the 883 and not a 1200. Wouldn't the 1200 kit cause intense wearing and tearing? Anyone who changed the kit has any feedback about the wear and tear?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Since the 883s have a different bottom end as the 1200s, and I'm quite sure, that they are made that way to fit the capacity of the 883 and not a 1200. Wouldn't the 1200 kit cause intense wearing and tearing? Anyone who changed the kit has any feedback about the wear and tear?
Some guys go up in the amount of teeth on the front sprocket to offset the ratio.
Some guys go down in teeth on the front to make it accelerate even harder.
Some guys like me leave things as is and have a monster hole shot bike that accelerates like mad.
Neither will add to the wear and tear cause mainly your limited to your rev limiter anyways and you can build modified 883's to have as much power as the modified 1200s The bottom end of Sportster motors are predominately bullet proof, tested again and again.
There are also some guys that modify the hell out of their 883's.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Hard to say cause of the influence of pipes available today. But I know with 10.5.1 compression, head work and cams on mine it did. 
Just putting 1250 juggs on it probably wouldn't change it too much. But 1200's are inherently louder than 883's anyways.
Just putting 1250 juggs on it probably wouldn't change it too much. But 1200's are inherently louder than 883's anyways.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 117
Likes: 1
From: Sin City
Well, just for the sake for asking, cause I wouldnt know what I'll do to mine. What do you guys do to the original block and all? Keep it? Sell it?
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Whats the original block?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 0
From: Central FL
Original Jugs, I think he means.
I've kept mine as spare parts, never know when you might need something!
Plus, other than the heads, you won't get much money for stock 883 cylinders and jugs.
I've kept mine as spare parts, never know when you might need something!
Plus, other than the heads, you won't get much money for stock 883 cylinders and jugs.