Describe what it was like the VERY FIRST time you drove your Sporty after it was converted to a 1200 (or more).
I decided to do the conversion for a number of reasons, but the biggest one was that when I was on a number of runs to Marcus Dairy (from Long Island) the pack would be doing 65/70 mph and some little old fart car would be puttering along. The BT's would just lean left, whack the throttle and GO!!!
I always had to downshift my 883 and strain to keep up. I was tired of playing catch-up.

So after 2 yrs and 4400 mi. I decided to do the deed. I went to the BIKER BARN in Port Jefferson LI and had the Cyls. bored and Wiseco Dished Pistons installed. $ 650 out the door. I had it done in FEb of '98. You usually get a better price in dead of winter.Also, I had read a number of Bike Mag's who routinely do a conv. project and the general concensus was that (with taxes paid) you would reap a reward of +50% HP and + 65% TQ. Thats a very big return for such a small investment.

Anyhoo.. I pick up the bike 5 days later. Paul the owner says " You know the drill Jim. No lugging it and vary your speed for at least 400 mi., and don't go over 3k RPM.

So I pull out onto RT 112 and give it half throttle to 3K and the short hairs on my neck stand up! Holy Chit Meng! Dis puppy wants to fly! Finishing the 400K break in was murder, but I still get that first time rush when I whack the throttle @ 23K mi.

Maddog said
"...I still get that first time rush when I whack the throttle... "

That's how I feel about it, still. :smoke

The very first time i rode it after the conversion, WHOOOAA!!! and YEEHAAAHH!!!

I really had no problems making long runs at all. The power was always there. We typically ran between 65-70. However, I did sometimes wonder if I "was gonna make it in time" while passing the slow cars.
I had planned on doing the conversion from the time I got the bike but I ended up doing it sooner than I planned. I got the pistons (wiseco), rings, and gaskets from CAS and took my jugs to a friend to be bored and fitted. I think I spent a grand total of about 350 bucks to do the whole thing and the bike was only outta commision for 2 days.
All I wanted at that point was to get the break-in miles done so I could woop on it a bit. I think it took about 3 days to get 500 miles on it. The difference was night and day. About a week after I finished the conversion, myself and a couple buddies went on a ride up north. We did about 700 miles over a couple days. The BIG difference came when I went to pass a slow car. The thing just pulled...hard...and kept on pullin'. NICE!!!

I noticed it pulling some, but to be honest, it didn't blow me away... until I went to pass a few cars, and gave the throttle a good twist and it about pulled my arms out of my sockets. If I am rolling along in second and whack it it's like a rocket taking off. It really gets that adrenaline pumping.

OK....Now I'm drooling.
Damn you guys.....I'm checking my savings account right now for some loose change.

:p

I tore done my 05 883 with 120 brand new miles on it so I didn't have the chance to get a real feel for it before the conversion.

I did the work my self, it cost me about $500 complete including the $100 bike stand.

I did the 10:1 dished wisco pistons, I love the power but now I'm looking for the next step. I wonder if I replace the cams but I am looking for more torque, any suggestions? They need to work with the wiseco piston.

I have to admit I had butterflies in my stomach the first time I hit the start button, I had never work on a v-twin before and crossed my fingers I did everthing right. But so far so good. It runs great and o leaks anywhere.

I just did the conversion and then winter hit me.
VERY frustrating not to be able to trist the throttle when you can feel the new POWER.
Oh well, not much to do now, spring is getting closer by the day.
Break in will be a pain, but I can feel the power. Have to get back to you when the break in is done.

Hmm,

"Describe what it was like the VERY FIRST time you drove your Sporty after it was converted to a 1200 (or more)".

Kinda like night and day...more power low down, better pulling on a roll on (easier to pass cars on the motorway without having to drop a gear), less need to change gears, deeper exhaust note.

I don't know how I managed to ride it as an 883...It's great as a 1200!

Not as powerful as my old Bandit 1200, or as fast...but hey I love my Sporty more than the Suzuki...nearly as much as my Vincent, but that's another story!

Whiffi

I just finished my 03 883/1200 over the Thanksgiving holiday. I've got about 650 miles on it now. When I first stated it I knew there was a difference. I took it easy for the breakin but it's hard not to get into it. When the bike hit 500 miles I figured it was time to see what this pup could do. I was in 2nd and wacked the gas... HOLD ON... it was hard to let go of the bar just to grab the clutch. I'm sure this bike is faster than the 89/1200 I had.
The setup I used was the JT/Shu conversion. That's the SE 10:1 dished with the bolt in cams.
I have a friend that has rode the bike new, with taxes paid and now. He was really impressed with it. I'm sure he's still talking about it.
I can't say enough about how well this bike runs now. It really is the bike I always wanted it to be.

I'll probably do a conversion over next winter, since I just got mine and haven't really ridden it since I didn't register it yet. I plan on the 10:1 weisco pistons and N4 cams. As I recall, the 883 heads would be OK in stock-rebuild form, correct?

I'll probably do a conversion over next winter, since I just got mine and haven't really ridden it since I didn't register it yet. I plan on the 10:1 weisco pistons and N4 cams. As I recall, the 883 heads would be OK in stock-rebuild form, correct?

The heads are just fine, but I don't know if the N-4 is the right cam to run w/ the stockheads. To take advantage of that cam you need to have 1200 intake valves installed. Stay with the stock cam initially and see how she runs. Stock Sportster cams are not sissy cams. They are the hottest stock factory cams the MO-CO makes.
If you want to at a later date, get the heads street ported and put 1200 valves in. then you can go w/ an N-4 (HORSEPOWER ), or an N-2 ( TORQUE ).

I definitely remember the first time I rode mine after the conversion. I was still on an emotional high after the thing actually started (its the moment of truth when you push that start button). Keeping it under 3000 RPMs was dang near impossible. It pulled like a train through all of the gears, very torquey. The really memorable ride came at that magical 500 mile mark. I was running 55mph and at that moment, I twisted hard on it and took off like a rocket. Awesome feeling.

BD
Stage 1 T-Storms

I know what you mean baddog..3,000 rpms seems to be the magic number that the tq peaks at. I'd whack the throttle at 2k and at 3k it felt like someone kicked the in the ass. It's still a rush.

I can't give you a comprison of before & after as the bike had the conversion done before I bought it. But the bike I had been riding for the year prior was a 84 XS650 Yamaha with 50hp. The first time I passed three slower cars at one time the power that was there, with a twist to full throttle was un-*&^% belivable!!! After 6mo. of riding it still blows me away and the two guys I ride with. They both have Road Kings :D

Bob

Maddog -
that's good advice regarding the cams. I'm upgrading my 883 with KB's, leaving the heads alone for now. Been trying to find out how well the SE 497 bolt in would work with the stock heads. Think I'll pass on the cam, and stay with my first plan.

It was last memorial day, that Monday evening. I got everything together and had it running in the shop. Then I got cleaned up and took it for a 60 mile ride all over town. The difference in the throttle response was immediate. The bike was a lot stronger. I took it easy on the "new" engine, but it was a lot more fun to ride. That was back at 4000 on the odometer, now its nearly 10,000.

I didn't do anything to the heads or the cams. I've been told I should have but I am pretty happy with it as it is. Then I don't race, just ride all over the place for fun and commute to work.

Doug
2004 883>1200

I just started mine for the first time yesterday!!!!

I went with;
Ross Racing Pistons. 9.7:1
Andrews N2 cams
Daytona Twin Tec TC88a adjustable ignition
Yost Power Tube Master Kit Rev1 (Blue needle, 45 slow, 185 Main)
SE Air Cleaner
SE ProII Slip on's

It started right up with two turns out on the mixture. Had it running high idle for about 1min. No leaks or strange noise!!!! Now I just need to break it in!!!!
Winter sucks!!!!! I need a couple of warm days with no sand/salt on the roads!!! I can't wait!!!! :D

I was going crazy the first time I did the conversion. Had to be sane for 500 miles before i could enjoy her. :frownone I loved every :tour after that though! :D

I didn't do anything to the heads or the cams. I've been told I should have but I am pretty happy with it as it is. Then I don't race, just ride all over the place for fun and commute to work.

Doug
2004 883>1200[/QUOTE]

I know exactly what you mean Doug..I did mine at 4400 mi. and I now have 23,000 mi. It did and still does run strong. I didn't do head or cams either.
But to this day there ain't a stage one factory 1200 that can come close to me. "How sweet it is!"

I remember my first moments in the saddle of the conversion.....Not exactly like most of these earlier stories either.

It was the dead of winter, about 20 degrees out and night when I tighten the last bolt. I fired her up and immediately heard a much deeper and meaner tone. I fined tuned it a little while she warmed up for the first time. THen I shut her down and let her completely cool down. I checked everything over one more time, fired her up again, rolled her down to the street and took of. I ran her gently through the gears the first time, but then I stopped at a stop sign. My brother was on a friends Ninja next to me and he took off, so I gave the new engine a good twist of throttle and I'll be danged if that slippery leather (883 custom) seat didn't try to buck my butt off the back of the bike:) I held on for dear life and ran her up through the gears pretty hard then let out and let the engine slow the bike down. I pulled her into the gas station and you couldn't have knocked the smile off my face with a freaking tire iron:) I filled her up with premium (10:1 compression) and smoked a cig while my brother (who had finished his conversion the day before) and I laughed about how his bike had about thrown him off the back as well:) Then I mounted up again and was bound determined to break this new stallion. I ripped on her another time of two on the way back to the garage and she gave me one hell of a ride. I know somwone out there is going to give me a bunch of crap for ripping on a "new" engine, so I'll put that fire out right here....I have over 17,000 miles on this bike now and she has never been babied. She doesn't burn a drop of oil or blow it out the heads, etc. She was broke in hard, but knowledgably. Knowledgably being the key word. You have to remember, in most cases when the 883 conversion is done, all you are breaking in are the piston rings and those need to be bedded in quickly. Don't over rev her, but don't baby her either.

Anyway, that night is a night I will always remember. It was a night that my fun 883 became a raging stallion.

I remember my first moments in the saddle of the conversion.....Not exactly like most of these earlier stories either.

It was the dead of winter, about 20 degrees out and night when I tighten the last bolt. I fired her up and immediately heard a much deeper and meaner tone. I fined tuned it a little while she warmed up for the first time. THen I shut her down and let her completely cool down. I checked everything over one more time, fired her up again, rolled her down to the street and took of. I ran her gently through the gears the first time, but then I stopped at a stop sign. My brother was on a friends Ninja next to me and he took off, so I gave the new engine a good twist of throttle and I'll be danged if that slippery leather (883 custom) seat didn't try to buck my butt off the back of the bike:) I held on for dear life and ran her up through the gears pretty hard then let out and let the engine slow the bike down. I pulled her into the gas station and you couldn't have knocked the smile off my face with a freaking tire iron:) I filled her up with premium (10:1 compression) and smoked a cig while my brother (who had finished his conversion the day before) and I laughed about how his bike had about thrown him off the back as well:) Then I mounted up again and was bound determined to break this new stallion. I ripped on her another time of two on the way back to the garage and she gave me one hell of a ride. I know somwone out there is going to give me a bunch of crap for ripping on a "new" engine, so I'll put that fire out right here....I have over 17,000 miles on this bike now and she has never been babied. She doesn't burn a drop of oil or blow it out the heads, etc. She was broke in hard, but knowledgably. Knowledgably being the key word. You have to remember, in most cases when the 883 conversion is done, all you are breaking in are the piston rings and those need to be bedded in quickly. Don't over rev her, but don't baby her either.

Anyway, that night is a night I will always remember. It was a night that my fun 883 became a raging stallion.

Shu, you just put a big smile on my face with that story. Thats something that the Jap owners will never get. The pleasure of sweatin and wrenchin your own steel pony and rippin up the road. "IT DOESN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS."

Hey all,I'm a newbie(05'883 custom yellow pearl).anyway... I did the conversion using the s/e heads ,10:1 pistons w/ stock 1200 cyclinders, s/e bolt in cams and new s/e push rods(came out right when I got it done)s/e ign.mod,,this thing smokes,,I mean smokes!!!!!I changed out at 2400 miles and just passed the 500 break in mark,,need to change the oil now,,,,question???should I use the synthetic oil now with the new parts or some have told me to keep using the standard 20/50.any feed back would be cool. + I have a bunch of new parts for sale if anyone interested.Reply here or e-mail me sportyrabbs@hotmail.com live near Hagerstown,Md. Thanks Brian

My machine shop recommends at least 1,000 mi before you switch
to synthetic.

I am dropping my scoot off at the Indy on Friday 7/7/06. I have an '03 883C. I am going to use the Wiseco dished pistons 9.5.1, SE ignition, re-jet the carb and just clean up the heads and valves. The anticipation is freaking killing me.....I tried to give it to him last week but he had a couple of bikes in front of me....and he told me to be patient...LOLOL HEY....patience this.....LOL. As soon as I get it back I will give you guys a full report....

Rob

I know how ya feel mine is going in sat. morning plan on finshing up sun.Was spose to start today wtf

I am dropping my scoot off at the Indy on Friday 7/7/06. I have an '03 883C. I am going to use the Wiseco dished pistons 9.5.1, SE ignition, re-jet the carb and just clean up the heads and valves. The anticipation is freaking killing me.....I tried to give it to him last week but he had a couple of bikes in front of me....and he told me to be patient...LOLOL HEY....patience this.....LOL. As soon as I get it back I will give you guys a full report....

Rob

Rob...It's worth the wait...The difference is stunning. Your only regret will be that you waited so long.
Here's an amusing thought...The rush you will get will never be felt by
"Real 1200 Owners".

I am dropping my scoot off at the Indy on Friday 7/7/06. I have an '03 883C. I am going to use the Wiseco dished pistons 9.5.1, SE ignition, re-jet the carb and just clean up the heads and valves. The anticipation is freaking killing me.....I tried to give it to him last week but he had a couple of bikes in front of me....and he told me to be patient...LOLOL HEY....patience this.....LOL. As soon as I get it back I will give you guys a full report....

Rob

New update......Dropped by the Indy yesterday afternoon.....He asked me to wait til Tuesday to drop it off as he needs to finish off a couple of bikes he still has in the shop....DAMN........I hate waiting.......

:cry1 :abr: :rangTAB:

Dropped the sporty off at the Indy today for the conversion. I can't wait.:banapart

Rob,

Which indy are you using here in Vegas, I'm real curious to know what shops are good and which ones to stay away from in town.

Rob,

Which indy are you using here in Vegas, I'm real curious to know what shops are good and which ones to stay away from in town.



I was also looking for an Indy here, I have only been here for a year and I had no idea, just that I had a couple of bad times with LVHD. I kept looking and asking around. I finally got a recommendation from a guy at Alien Motors (They do dirt bikes and quads). The Indy is called US Cycles. His name is Dale and he seems to be knowledgable. He is located at West Desert Inn and Highland in a small strip mall next to some big strip club(Sapphires I think). It is kinda hard to find as it is under the highway. I visited him a couple of times before I made the decision. He only does American V-Twins. He took the time to talk to me. Important.........He told me that he was a bit backed up and could I wait for about a week and a half so he could get caught up so I would not have as much down time.but more importantly, he told me that he wanted my business. I am kinda nervous but I decided to go for it because I cannot do the job myself. Feel free to email me at robhenderson2@gmail.com.

Picked up the piglet last night from the Indy. Had him put a set of Wiseco 9.5.1's, SE Ignition, check the carb. Unfortunately it took him 3 weeks.....He is a one man shop and the machine shop keep the jugs for a week. He does excellent work though and since I am not mechanically inclined I can't whine too much. Anyway.....

We started her up and she sounds like a totally different bike. Exhaust is deeper and more HD sounding. I am excited so far...It was late in the day so I just decided to drive home and wait til the next day to really try her out. I did notice that she had more gittyup in her go......and that she pulled off the line much easier and seemed to be eager to go. It was very difficult not to let loose...Anyway I was a good boy and went straight home. The Indy suggested I take the Sporty to Mount Charleston for a break-in session. Since the cooler temps and incline sould be ideal.

I woke up at about 4:15am (not intentionally) and decided to go for it. I remembered to bring my jacket and gloves because there would be a temp drop......

I left Vegas at about 4:30am with the temperature at about 80 degrees (sun not up yet) and took the 215 beltway to Interstate 95N. I had a very hard time keeping her leashed.....It would have been so easy to open her up. I noticed that I did not have to twist the throttle so much as before and the response was great.

From 95N I took the Kyle canyon exit to Mount Charleston and settled in for some nice scenery and engine break-in...(No lugging, so I kept her in a lower gear and kept going up the hill) About half way up I had to stop and put the leather jacket and gloves on. It was getting cold.....damn ears were getting cold too. When I got to the top I was at 8500 feet and it was about 45 degrees....The sun was just coming up and the view was gorgeous. Bike running strong and cool too...LOL

I returned by alternate route through Lee canyon and the trip was just fantastic.....Lee canyon is beautiful....It was chilly but there were lots of twisties for varying the engine speed for break-in...It may not meet the dragon standards but it has lots of up and downs and twisties......

Round trip 115 miles, elapsed time about 2 1/2 hours...The sporty ran just excellently...More torque, more power, and she cruised down the highway feeling like she wanted to be opened up....I was careful though and kept the speed to a sedate 60 mph. Overall it was a good ride with various speeds to even out the break-in.

It will probably take me about 3-4 days to hit the 500 mile mark so I can get the oil changed and continue.

After that I am going to see how she really is...I am very happy with the conversion so far...Seems like a different bike...More attitude...or maybe it is just me with the attitude.....Maybe after break-in I will go looking for a BT to tease...LOLOLOL