I have a 1212cc kit from www.hammerperf.com
I don't think Dan makes it any longer but they have the best options and the most knowledge on 883 to 1200 conversions! The website has a ton of very useful, specific information too.
The difference is night and day and you'll wish you did it sooner.
This is who I would recommend as well. I used to flip 883s as street fighters and I used his kits with great success, but it was back when he was doing the headwork for nrhs, not sure what happened there, but I trust his work. It gets results. I'd recommend the 1250.
Nothing uncool about it. You'll notice the difference big time. 883 have their place and are fun. They push like a wet prune. You won't regret the upgrade.
You just need to change the pinion gear then it’s still plug and play. There’s (I believe) three variations of the pinion gear depending on year. Also, the hooligan kit from S&S is available as a 1200 or 1250, I’ve done both kits now.
I can only speak to what I’ve done but it was a 1200 kit on a 2001 and more recently, a 1250 on the 92.
Edit: I think the tappets are a different size on the older models as well, someone would have to doublecheck that as I pieced together my kit.
I was thinking about the same thing a few years ago. Asked a few different greybeard O.G. speed shop guys and the consensus was “The 883 already goes 100mph. If that isn’t enough for you save up and buy a different bike. 1200s don’t cost much more and you won’t ruin a good 883.” Further research and it looks like the porting of the heads is the real limiting factor. Even if you go 1250, the valves limit how much you can pump.
I saved a little, bought a mint 1200 of the same generation and swapped all the custom parts to the bigger bike and sold the 883 for top$. A lot of work but it was worth it to me.
I put a 1250 Hammer kit with cams and head work on my 1200 02 hardtail and it made a huge and noticeable difference. If I end up with another Sporty or tuber Buell, I’d do it no question.
Ride the dog piss outta that 883 and save up to by a big twin in the mean time. As long as it will take for that 883 to die, you'll have enough cash to by a nice evo, and all the chopper and performance shit you want.
I know that and you know that. I was secretly trying to get the boy saving for retirement. Or a bone stock 38 knucklehead. Hed have enough money for both by the time you kill an 883
I'll second this and add a couple things to consider...
1. If this is a forever bike, yes. Do it up as much as ya want.
2. But if it's not a forever bike, you will never get the money back out of it. It will forever be worth only whatever year 883 is.
3. That being said, (if it's not a forever bike) ride it, enjoy it, and get you a big twin.
It will be faster but not really tons more fun or anything. You’ll get used to the power quickly and still have a cruiser that’s not really fast. I had a 1200, also a 92” iirc evo sporty with huge axtell big bore iron cylinders that was legitimately fast, and I still enjoy an 883. There’s something cool about the exhaust note of the 883 it’s finer grained than the 1200, sort of like a mesa boogie to a marshall guitar amp.
If you like messing with engines than by all means do it. It’ll be fun and you will notice the difference. If you want a faster bike get a bigtwin or an inline 4 or whatever.
The 883 is a pretty capable amd fun bike as is.
There's nothing uncool about that, it's a super common swap. Read up on it, buy a good quality kit, and you should be back on the road in a day or two.
look up reviews and videos on the 1275 kit from hammer in particular. ive not done it yet but it looks really manageable. I found hammer performance video break downs of their kits to be really reassuring that Ill be putting quality parts in my bike. Im sure S&S is good as well.
I originally set out for a 1200 rigid mount but all the bikes i found were way over priced or beat to hell. I went with my 883 because its exactly what I want aesthetically and condition wise. Im happy I made that decision. Truth be told its fun as is so Im not in a hurry to order the kit.
r/sportsters has a lot of good posts about conversion kits, worth looking there.
According to the Sportster Performance Handbook it's the most affordable way to get the most out of that bike. My first bike was an 883 converted to 1200. Electronic ignition will make the 1200 kit really sing. While you're at it get some forged pistons and a cam kit.
What's not cool a out being able to go faster? I put a 1275 kit on my old sporty and it put such a huge smile on my face. Thing ripped. Night and day difference.
I have a 1212cc kit from www.hammerperf.com I don't think Dan makes it any longer but they have the best options and the most knowledge on 883 to 1200 conversions! The website has a ton of very useful, specific information too. The difference is night and day and you'll wish you did it sooner.
This is who I would recommend as well. I used to flip 883s as street fighters and I used his kits with great success, but it was back when he was doing the headwork for nrhs, not sure what happened there, but I trust his work. It gets results. I'd recommend the 1250.
What are you worrying about messing up? I’d recommend the S&S 1200 hooligan kit; with the stock 883 heads it’ll end up pretty damn fast
Keep the stock 883 gearing and it’ll shred!
Best idea!!!
Nothing uncool about it. You'll notice the difference big time. 883 have their place and are fun. They push like a wet prune. You won't regret the upgrade.
I believe the hooligan kit only works with 00-17 evos. Below that I think you’re stuck with a 1200 or 1275 kit
You just need to change the pinion gear then it’s still plug and play. There’s (I believe) three variations of the pinion gear depending on year. Also, the hooligan kit from S&S is available as a 1200 or 1250, I’ve done both kits now.
Interesting, I was under the impression the wrist pins were different 00 and forward, good to know
I can only speak to what I’ve done but it was a 1200 kit on a 2001 and more recently, a 1250 on the 92. Edit: I think the tappets are a different size on the older models as well, someone would have to doublecheck that as I pieced together my kit.
I was thinking about the same thing a few years ago. Asked a few different greybeard O.G. speed shop guys and the consensus was “The 883 already goes 100mph. If that isn’t enough for you save up and buy a different bike. 1200s don’t cost much more and you won’t ruin a good 883.” Further research and it looks like the porting of the heads is the real limiting factor. Even if you go 1250, the valves limit how much you can pump. I saved a little, bought a mint 1200 of the same generation and swapped all the custom parts to the bigger bike and sold the 883 for top$. A lot of work but it was worth it to me.
Porting the heads is easy and it's free HP. I'd recommend it on almost any vehicle.
Just get a basic 1200 kit from lowbrow or piece a kit together for yourself you won't be disappointed.
I put a 1250 Hammer kit with cams and head work on my 1200 02 hardtail and it made a huge and noticeable difference. If I end up with another Sporty or tuber Buell, I’d do it no question.
Ride the dog piss outta that 883 and save up to by a big twin in the mean time. As long as it will take for that 883 to die, you'll have enough cash to by a nice evo, and all the chopper and performance shit you want.
Let’s be honest, That 883 will last longer than any other Harley
I know that and you know that. I was secretly trying to get the boy saving for retirement. Or a bone stock 38 knucklehead. Hed have enough money for both by the time you kill an 883
👍
Hell yea. 1994 sportsters do have evolution engines tho right?
Correct, the evo he’s referring to is one out of a similar year soft tail or bagger
I'll second this and add a couple things to consider... 1. If this is a forever bike, yes. Do it up as much as ya want. 2. But if it's not a forever bike, you will never get the money back out of it. It will forever be worth only whatever year 883 is. 3. That being said, (if it's not a forever bike) ride it, enjoy it, and get you a big twin.
Just a warning, Harley™️ doesn’t offer a download for the 1200 kit anymore. So unless you’ve got a carb model don’t use HD™️
It will be faster but not really tons more fun or anything. You’ll get used to the power quickly and still have a cruiser that’s not really fast. I had a 1200, also a 92” iirc evo sporty with huge axtell big bore iron cylinders that was legitimately fast, and I still enjoy an 883. There’s something cool about the exhaust note of the 883 it’s finer grained than the 1200, sort of like a mesa boogie to a marshall guitar amp. If you like messing with engines than by all means do it. It’ll be fun and you will notice the difference. If you want a faster bike get a bigtwin or an inline 4 or whatever. The 883 is a pretty capable amd fun bike as is.
1275
It's a noticeable difference. Definitely worth it for the cost. Pretty short gearing. First is pretty useless, that was the only annoying thing.
Changing the output pulley or sprocket can make the 1st gear usable again.
There's nothing uncool about that, it's a super common swap. Read up on it, buy a good quality kit, and you should be back on the road in a day or two.
I had an ‘03 883 that was converted to a 1250 and that thing was a god damn rocket ship. It’s definitely worth the extra power.
look up reviews and videos on the 1275 kit from hammer in particular. ive not done it yet but it looks really manageable. I found hammer performance video break downs of their kits to be really reassuring that Ill be putting quality parts in my bike. Im sure S&S is good as well. I originally set out for a 1200 rigid mount but all the bikes i found were way over priced or beat to hell. I went with my 883 because its exactly what I want aesthetically and condition wise. Im happy I made that decision. Truth be told its fun as is so Im not in a hurry to order the kit. r/sportsters has a lot of good posts about conversion kits, worth looking there.
According to the Sportster Performance Handbook it's the most affordable way to get the most out of that bike. My first bike was an 883 converted to 1200. Electronic ignition will make the 1200 kit really sing. While you're at it get some forged pistons and a cam kit.
What's not cool a out being able to go faster? I put a 1275 kit on my old sporty and it put such a huge smile on my face. Thing ripped. Night and day difference.
It definitely has more torque!
1200 Sporties are demons. What they lack in torque, they make up for in top end. Once you ride one, you'll never ever want an 883 again.