883/1200 : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

harley-kid · 09-20-2009, 12:09 AM

what do ya guys think the best conversion kit is? or send out cylinders bore them out etc???

claydbal · 09-20-2009, 07:31 AM

have your bored, talk to headguy, as you will need dished pistons.

Hillside · 09-21-2009, 06:36 AM

Very good power gain.
With reverse-dome pistons, the OE compression is maintained.
With a flatop, use a set of Andrews 8 cams and hang on!!

Scott

VRSCR · 10-16-2009, 10:41 AM

Scott, Who's pistons would you use? If using the #8 Cams, can you just bolt the stock 883 heads up with out modifications?

Hillside · 10-18-2009, 07:58 AM

Wiesco offers a flat top.
Should still run good without head mods.

You will need an ignition either way you go.
Scott

VRSCR · 10-19-2009, 08:43 AM

What advantages are upgrading the ignition?

TXCHOP · 10-19-2009, 08:58 AM

You have to change the ignition to an adjustable(tunable) type unit to compensate for the extra compression and not have any detonation...

Fwiw, i did one of Hillside 883-1200 conversions last year. N8 cams, flat top wiseco's, Hillside changed valve in the heads,dtt ignition, cycle shack slip ons and s/e a/c, rejetted.....One of the most fun bikes i have built and ridden.....ever....Every time i service it for the owner, i ask if he wants to sell it....he won't...

hightop · 10-24-2009, 10:53 AM

Somewhat off topic, but last week I worked on an older 883 that needed a top end, valve job, oversize pistons etc., and couldn't talk the customer into converting it to a 1200. Ended up going to .005" over pistons.

Now over the years I've taken off and re-installed quite a few top ends for gaskets and such without going bigger, but this is the first time I can remember putting on the torque plates and not going bigger, and it kind of bums me out to leave all that power on the table when I was right there, even though after the road test I'll probably never ride the bike again.

Anybody out there that works on bikes for a living know what I'm talking about, or do I have a screw loose?

Now I've got an '05 TC88 apart for valve seals, and the customer doesn't want to do anything extra either. STUPID ECONOMY!

Karsten · 10-25-2009, 09:36 PM

Mine is most like about as old a 883/1200 convsersion as you can get using Buell/Thunderstorm parts.

My 1998 883/1200 was done years ago by the original owner so I haven't a clue but is fast.

Buell 1200 Cylinders
Buell 10.0:1 pistons
Buell Thunderstorm Heads
Screaming Eagle cams
Screaming Eagle Ignition and coil
Screaming Eagle A/C with K&N Lifetime Filter
Screaming Eagle jet kit
Vance & Hines 2 into 1 Pro Pipe
Progressive 11 1/2 inch shocks to keep the front tire on the ground.

It took 3rd place in the AMI Brute HP Shootout in he 1200 V-Twin class at Daytona back when he was a student there.

I was told it will redline at 7000 RPM but I don't want to find out myself.

Has some 80 plus HP at the rear wheel.

Karsten

VRSCR · 10-26-2009, 01:55 PM

I just did a 1999 1200. Used N2 cams, DTT ignition(single fire), Mikuni 42 w/high flow air cleaner, Bassanii pro street exhaust(customer had to have) Pulls the front wheel up shifting into second. Seems pretty quick. I am guessing 70-75hp. Will have it dynoed next week for hp numbers.
My ole'lady has a 1200 with all the Buell tricks and a Supertrapp 2 into 1. I want to compare the two dyno numbers.
My buddy is going to be pissed if the ole ladys bikeis higher hp.

claydbal · 10-26-2009, 05:45 PM

forget the numbers, your buddy will be more pi$$ed when he gets beat by a girl!