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883 to 1200 can you tell by looking at it?

26504 Views 11 Replies 11 Participants Last post by  jockeyshift
I'm gonna have a 883 to 1200 conv. done next month with the std.conv. parts.Screamin eagle pistons and cylinders.A buddy asks me if he where buying an 883 that the seller said was converted to 1200 if there is a way to tell just by looking at the bike/engine?I told em you could tell by riding it,but without riding the 883 first...So is there a way to tell just looking at it?They don't change the jugs on a std.conv.right?
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You can not tell if you bore your stock cylinders and run reverse dome pistons. If the kit you are talking about runs flat top 1200 pistons, are you changing the heads to 1200 heads? if so, they may look newer and cleaner than the rest of the motor. Here is a different conversion Bean does. http://www.v-twinforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53572
It retains all the stock parts and you cannot tell from the outside.
YES, YOU CAN TELL by just looking at the bike:

If you see it screaming past the Big Twin Harleys on the highway, it's a 1200...

Wes.
Yes you can tell generally

Most 883's come with non lower Chrome Outer Case Primary Covers.
The 1200 usually is Chromed the 883's are Grey in color.
Panzer said:
Most 883's come with non lower Chrome Outer Case Primary Covers.
The 1200 usually is Chromed the 883's are Grey in color.
I believe the question is how to determine if it is STILL an 883 or if it has been bored to a 1200.
well the stock 883 jugs have 883 stamped on the bottom near the case . If they bored the stock jugs you cant really tell. If they did the jugs with 1200 it might say 1200 on the bottom ... but other then that ... no ... It just makes it a sleeper untill you roll it on . :beatdh:
my 883/1200 has 883 jugs, the only way I can tell is riding as its still got the 883 tank but running S&S filter cover, K&N filter Shorty carb, Andrews V4 cams and ? pipes. Oh the only written proof apart from the paperwork is the ignition module is a 1200. That could be the only visible way to tell as I was told that has to be changed when converting.
sportydave said:
well the stock 883 jugs have 883 stamped on the bottom near the case . If they bored the stock jugs you cant really tell. If they did the jugs with 1200 it might say 1200 on the bottom ... but other then that ... no ... It just makes it a sleeper untill you roll it on . :beatdh:
If I ever did one of those Sportster 1340 conversions, I'd stamp 883 on the jugs and make sure I had 883 boldly painted on the tank :D
Just looked at my standard conversion. On the shifter side of the cylinders, there are Harley logos. On the brake side, there are part numbers and a Screamin' Eagle logo.
Hi.

Since the 883 and the 1200 are the same engine, other then the stock paint and chrome packaging, there really is no real way to know if it's a gussy-up 883. or a 1200R, or a stock 883 with a 1200 conversion.:cool:
So, the "jug" of a 1200 and an 883 are the same except for the inside bore?

Im getting my cash ready and opting for the Zippers Torkster conversion package, 883 to 1200. Zippers happens to be 10 miles from me. Im will opt for a new programable ignition and adjustable pushrods and their tubes as well as air intake and some D&D Fat Cat exhaust.


http://www.zippersperformance.com/catalogue/showproduct.asp?cat=865&prod=2062

Its gotta improve the sound and put some coolness in my ride.
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Like SportyDave said above, for stock HD jugs from the factory, they are stamped (actually cast into the jug) with either 883 or 1200.


The stamp is going to be on one of the corners like shown below.
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