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

883 heads

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 16, 2013 | 09:56 PM
  #1  
jasonryen's Avatar
jasonryen
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Portsmouth, Ohio
Default 883 heads

I'm thinking about picking up some 883 heads off a 09 super low for $50. The bike had 6500 miles on it when converted to 1200. I just recently had the SE Stage 2 883 to 1200 kit installed using my stock iron 883 heads. Was thinking about picking these up since their cheap and sending them to hammer dan for some work.

So what do you guys think the silver powder coat heads will look like on an iron? Check out my pics, but if for some reason you can't, it all looks stock except I have the denim black fenders with the silver denim tank. Thinking the silver heads would tie in with my tank(need to do something different with those rocker covers though), and maybe throw my bike a different and sorta old school look. Similar to the blackline, although a little different. Opinions are hoped for and welcomed.
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2013 | 12:10 AM
  #2  
JB'R's Avatar
JB'R
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Abu Dhabi, UAE
Default

You might be able to powerdercoat the heads black. And IMO 50$ is not a bad price, actually a very nice price.

But do you have to send THESE heads? Don't you have downtime and can't you send your own heads?That'll be 50$ cheaper and you won't have to risk not liking the look of the 'L' heads on the iron or even have to powder coat them.
 
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2013 | 01:09 AM
  #3  
jasonryen's Avatar
jasonryen
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Portsmouth, Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by JB'R
You might be able to powerdercoat the heads black. And IMO 50$ is not a bad price, actually a very nice price.

But do you have to send THESE heads? Don't you have downtime and can't you send your own heads?That'll be 50$ cheaper and you won't have to risk not liking the look of the 'L' heads on the iron or even have to powder coat them.
All good logic there JB'R, wish I would've thought like that in the beginning. But, I didn't . So, the SE Stage 2 kit is installed(with my stock heads off the iron), and it's designed to work with stock 883 heads. Therefore, I'm okay with what I've got, and I just found these silver 883 heads today. I get the stock 883 cylinders, pistons, and heads for $50 . Now of course I won't need the cylinders and pistons(I've already got those), but I can have the silver heads worked on at my convenience and as $ will allow, but still ride my bike with my new kit. Then if I do install them I can do so maybe next winter, re-worked or not. Because honestly, performance is a factor, but the look could be a nice bonus. I may use them in the stock form because the kit I had installed will allow that, and I'll get a unique look. Just some thoughts since I found this great deal on some heads. Not gonna pass on the heads, just don't have a real game plan for them yet. Would love to have some light head work done! And, if I don't end up needing or using them, surely someone would like some 883 heads for head work for $50!
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2013 | 03:51 PM
  #4  
gt4daddy's Avatar
gt4daddy
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: so cal
Default sporster cylinder heads

does any one know if the upper end of a 2011 8883 will fit a 2000 883. TY
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2013 | 03:59 PM
  #5  
JaySwear's Avatar
JaySwear
Road Captain
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg, MD
Default

I've wanted my heads powder coated too, but haven't been able to find a definitive answer on whether or not that was possible due to the high heat.
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2013 | 05:44 PM
  #6  
jasonryen's Avatar
jasonryen
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Portsmouth, Ohio
Default

Not sure yet what I'm gonna do but I got those heads Sunday. 883 heads, cylinders, pistons, and cams from a stock 883L with 6500 miles for $50. Score?
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2013 | 07:07 PM
  #7  
Madnss's Avatar
Madnss
Grand HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 1,202
From: river
Default

Originally Posted by jasonryen
Not sure yet what I'm gonna do but I got those heads Sunday. 883 heads, cylinders, pistons, and cams from a stock 883L with 6500 miles for $50. Score?
What kind of headwork do you want done? And what cams you thinking?
 
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2013 | 07:29 PM
  #8  
jasonryen's Avatar
jasonryen
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Portsmouth, Ohio
Default

Originally Posted by Madnss
What kind of headwork do you want done? And what cams you thinking?
Light headwork maybe? Basically some headwork that would match up well and provide some performance increase with my SE stage 2 kit. The cams in that kit are SE performance bolt on, .551 lift. That kit also runs the SE 10:1 pistons. Honestly madnss, I'm gonna run the SE stage 2 kit with my stock 883 heads first, and see how much I like it. Then, maybe go with some headwork to add a little extra. Wanna try to keep it versatile across the powerband. Not looking for all top end. I ride mostly in the mid rpm range so I wanna continue to build to best increase performance in that range. Not sure how much sense this makes so take it easy on me!
 
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 Dec 26, 2013 | 08:03 PM
  #9  
John Harper's Avatar
John Harper
HDF Community Team
10 Year Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8,598
Likes: 4,030
From: San Diego, CA
Community Team
Default

Sounds like a reasonable path to take. You already upgraded your bike, ride it for a while and see how you like it. For $50 and all you got for that, who cares? You can use it, or sell it, no worries. Kind of a nice problem to have.

My buddy changed too many engine things at once on his bike (IMO), it was not a good experience for him. I'd rather make informed performance changes if given the choice.

John
 

Last edited by John Harper; Dec 26, 2013 at 08:07 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2013 | 08:32 PM
  #10  
Madnss's Avatar
Madnss
Grand HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 1,202
From: river
Default

It's a huge myth about having big top end hp and losing lower to mid power. Well....at least when done properly. In my opinion, the exhaust you choose will put the power where you want it.

A 100hp bike is just as reliable as stock if done properly.

In other words.....its very tough to build an 80/90 hp bike that is going to have more lower end grunt then let's say a 100 to 115 hp bike.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:25 AM.

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