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

Coversion Help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 25, 2011 | 03:45 PM
  #1  
Sharon88 883's Avatar
Sharon88 883
Thread Starter
|
Stage III
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Default Coversion Help

Conversion Help! Does converting an 883 to a 1200 make the sporster any more top heavy than it is already?
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2011 | 03:56 PM
  #2  
wahlumsurfer's Avatar
wahlumsurfer
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 0
From: Central FL
Default

Originally Posted by Sharon88 883
Conversion Help! Does converting an 883 to a 1200 make the sporster any more top heavy than it is already?
Nope, if anything it will make it slightly lighter (in the sense that you won't even notice) as there is more meat inside the 883 heads than the 1200. Of course, it depends on the year of the bike as well and the kit that you go with!
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2011 | 05:00 PM
  #3  
HarleyScuba's Avatar
HarleyScuba
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
Default

There's more metal in the 883 cylinders.
 
Reply
Old Sep 25, 2011 | 05:10 PM
  #4  
John_K's Avatar
John_K
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 731
Likes: 7
From: Windsor Ontario
Default

No.

That said, I was surprised how much less top heavy my 1200C was compared to the Marauder 250s we learned on in the MC safety class I took... who'da thunk it?
 
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2011 | 03:54 AM
  #5  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Default

Some of us like to joke that fitting the bigger bores reduces weight! Which may be true. Don't be concerned, as any change in weight will be no more than a few ounces and you won't notice anything except the improved performance!

The most economical way to make your 883 into a 1200 is to change only the cylinders and pistons, but read up on other posts before doing anything, as there is a lot of good info here.
 
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2011 | 08:01 AM
  #6  
xFreebirdx's Avatar
xFreebirdx
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
Default

When boring a 883cc to a 1200cc cylinder weight is reduced by over 4 pounds each.
 
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2011 | 08:47 AM
  #7  
HarleyScuba's Avatar
HarleyScuba
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,007
Likes: 126
From: Manassas, VA
Default

Originally Posted by grbrown
The most economical way to make your 883 into a 1200 is to change only the cylinders and pistons, but read up on other posts before doing anything, as there is a lot of good info here.
True, but if you're going to use stock 883 heads, you gotta use reverse dome pistons to allow for valve clearance. They're available all over the place. Wiseco seems to be a trusted, inexpensive brand.
 
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2011 | 09:45 AM
  #8  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Thumbs up

Originally Posted by HarleyScuba
True, but if you're going to use stock 883 heads, you gotta use reverse dome pistons to allow for valve clearance. They're available all over the place. Wiseco seems to be a trusted, inexpensive brand.
Agreed, which is why I also said look at other conversion posts in here, as everything Sharon needs to know has been covered here many times already! We could do with a Sticky for 1200 conversions.

I have only recently bought my SuperLow, but if I ever convert it I will use the stock heads with new barrels and pistons.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 26, 2011 | 11:24 AM
  #9  
SportyPig's Avatar
SportyPig
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
Default

Give NHRS a call. Dan is very helpful there. Their conversion kit is about half the price of HD. And you will have 1250 engine.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
tecnomec
Sportster Models
4
Jan 20, 2024 12:04 AM
derek_661989
Sportster Models
13
Nov 9, 2019 07:48 PM
Glidedsternfan
Sportster Models
16
Apr 8, 2011 07:41 PM
nickshultzman
Sportster Models
0
Oct 6, 2010 11:42 PM
HonUtd07
Sportster Models
9
Sep 15, 2006 06:24 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:24 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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
story-8
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025

Slideshow: A clear-eyed look at what actually worked for Harley this year, and what quietly undermined its progress.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-29 17:10:48


VIEW MORE