Anyone know if the clinders from a 2003 xb9 will work on a 2005 883 Sporty. I was wondering if they are the same length? I know the XB9 has a shorter stroke but the same bore as the XB12's and 1200 sportsters. I wonder if the fins are the same size as the 2004 and later sporties that have larger fins than previous years. Looking to do a conversion and have a chance to pick some up pretty cheap. This way would limit by downtime if they would work OK. Thanks in advance for any replies.

You're on the right track ... the Buell XB9/XB12 cylinder is literally the same cylinder HD sells for the 883/1200 upgrade.

The short stroke XB9 uses a longer rod (7.270" versus 6.926", which is half the difference in the stroke). Same compression height on the pistons, in fact XB9 pistons are sometimes put into 1200's to get a boost in compression (they have more dome due to the short stroke).

I'd sure consider doing an oversize though, those things are awfully wavy as delivered. Even brand new. We're always astonished when we put a stock cylinder in the torque plates and make the measurements.

Thanks for the reply, you guys!. The cyls I am looking at are from a 2003 XB9 w/ pistons. Do the 2003 Buell cyls have the larger cooling fins on the cylinders like I assume the 2004 and later sportsters have, or is it just the new XB heads that have larger fins. What I am looking at doing is getting these used cyl and pistons that they claim have only 1100 miles on them. That will enable me to get your stage II XB heads to mate them up to now ratther than in 2 steps due to my budget. This way I won't have alot of downtime as well. Can the piston domes be releived to get a 10.5 -1 CR?