883 to 1200 Conversion
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Point Pleasant, NJ
883 to 1200 Conversion
I'm looking to do the 1200 conversion for my '05 883C. I really don't know where to start- with HD upgrade or aftermarket. I spoke with the HD parts guy, he said $1200 for the parts, another $800 for installation. I've been reading alot of the posts trying to put together a big picture on aftermarket conversions, but I'm new to this, and not familiar with alot of the parts, companies, options, etc. Can anyone give me a first-hand recommendation on the best bang for the buck? My uncle can do installation, I know that'd save a bunch. But the parts and where to get them are greek to me. THANKS.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 291
Likes: 3
From: buffalo, NY
check NHRS out. They seem to have it all figured out for conversion. I dont have first hand exp with them but alot of guys here like them. They offer alot of parts and service and have excellent customer service.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 474
Likes: 1
NHRS and Hammer Performance are the two best aftermarket companies. I spent months looking at these options before getting quoted a great price from my HD dealer. I'm getting the SE 1200 Stage 1 plus .551 SE cams, and a dyno tune for $2000 installed. They have done this setup on several Irons with great results. The tech doing my conversion is running this setup in his. For yours, look at 1250 kit and maybe some .497 SE or Andrews N4 cams if you're keeping the stock heads. That setup with a new ignition is around $1100. Add a good 2:1 exhaust or V&H Sideshots along with AC and resetting and you'll have a huge performance increase.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 858
Likes: 17
From: victoria bc
If you have any mechanical ability I would recommend doing it yourself and saving a bunch of cash. Also, just doing the 1250 conversion using stock 883 heads and cams is an incredible transformation and your ride will be a totally different, way more powerful bike. If you are on a budget it is definately the way to go. I used NRHS and the parts and service were top notch.
Check out this thread:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...i-version.html
Check out this thread:
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...i-version.html
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
Are there a differences between the NRHS and Hammer kits? They seem almost identical. Even the websites are very similar. Almost like the Boss Bags and Leather Pro bags. Can anyone chime in on why one would pic one over the other?
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 533
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
You can do a basic 883-1200 conversion by boring your existing cylinders from a 3" to a 3.5" bore (the only REAL difference) and buying a gasket set and the 1200 conversion pistons ( dome top to relieve compression w/the smaller chamber 883 heads).
The NRHS, Zippers, S&S kits are all good stuff - the Hammer stuff might be too - but, I've never built one of those, and thus, would be hesitant to offer advice as to their suitability.
Spend the $$ for the factory manual, get a good torque wrench, and do the conversion yourself. YOU are going to be riding that bike - YOU need to know how it works. YOU are going to be pushin' it if you f*ck up maintenance/mods - so unless you want to spend $$ on a towing service that COULD have bought beer for your friends, learn how your bike works, learn how to keep it working - that accomplishment is incredibly satisfying.
The NRHS, Zippers, S&S kits are all good stuff - the Hammer stuff might be too - but, I've never built one of those, and thus, would be hesitant to offer advice as to their suitability.
Spend the $$ for the factory manual, get a good torque wrench, and do the conversion yourself. YOU are going to be riding that bike - YOU need to know how it works. YOU are going to be pushin' it if you f*ck up maintenance/mods - so unless you want to spend $$ on a towing service that COULD have bought beer for your friends, learn how your bike works, learn how to keep it working - that accomplishment is incredibly satisfying.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The main difference between a factory conversion and an aftermarket one is that the Harley one includes 1200 heads, so that is where much of the extra expense goes. The aftermarket kits like NRHS use your stock 883 heads. They are perfectly OK for street riding, unless you want max top end power, when you can get your 883 heads ported.
Frankly NRHS get so many favourable comments in here, plus they are HDF sponsors, I suggest you save yourself time and go with them! They will supply a kit with all the parts you need - one stop shop! Use search for '1250' to read some very helpful posts, including installing a kit.
Frankly NRHS get so many favourable comments in here, plus they are HDF sponsors, I suggest you save yourself time and go with them! They will supply a kit with all the parts you need - one stop shop! Use search for '1250' to read some very helpful posts, including installing a kit.
Last edited by grbrown; Oct 5, 2012 at 06:10 AM. Reason: Expanded.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I believe they are born out of the same business, in other words one was set up by staff from the other, a sort of breakaway. I also understand they are no longer joined at the hip!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
I suppose, if all else being equal, I'd support NRHS because of the support they've given and continue to give the forum.
Apparently the NRHS/Hammer relationship isn't nearly as strange as the Boss Bags/Leather Pro relationship. Those two are literally brothers. There must be some really bad blood there between them for that.
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