ok so obvously I need to buy the conversion kit, but what else will I need to do the conversion parts wise. for example what gaskets, extra parts that are needed but do not come with kit, etc.... I wnat to do the conversion myself to save money, tuition and life are expensive enough as is. Any and all help willl be appreciated

Wiseco pistons- about 215
Bore your cylinders- about 150
GAsket kit- about 85

A 1200cc motor----- PRICELESS

Where would you be without a HD

I hope you are having the 1200 valves put in as well. The time to do it is when you do the conversion, since the motor will already be apart. The 883 valves are smaller and the cylinders will tend to be anemic and you will not get the full performance from the conversion. Having the valves done is about another $200.00

I hope you are having the 1200 valves put in as well. The time to do it is when you do the conversion, since the motor will already be apart. The 883 valves are smaller and the cylinders will tend to be anemic and you will not get the full performance

Save your money and don't touch the valves! Only thing you can do is porting the heads.You can do it yourself with Dremel tools, improving the airflow of the port, and cleaning up imperfections in the casting. I have just done mine. They gonna be really efficient with so called tooled finished process. Don't change the valves. With 883 heads you will get nice torque curve. 883 heads have smaller exhaust and inlet channels. Thanks to that, the air-fuel mixture has higher velocity giving higher torque on low rpm range.. This is enough for street run.
See helpfull web pages and start your dremel soon:
http://www.floheadworks.com/Services/tooled_finish.htm
http://www.deweyspegs.com/tcporting.html
http://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2000/07/homeporting/index.shtml
http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/hdheads_ports.htm

Good luck!

Lukas

Those are some great and informative sites. Thanks lucas!

doing any kind of headwork is out of the question. the cost is just too high. and I have been told that this bike will run better with the 883 heads, my bike is an everyday rider. A local indy dealer said he would sell me the 1200 conversion kit from vtwin manufacturing for 450. I guess these come with head and base gaskets. can I reuse all the other gaskets or should I buy a complete top end gasket set? other than those parts, are there any others that I should buy?? Also are there any special tools that I need. I have a basic craftsmen mechanics set but that is about it.

. can I reuse all the other gaskets or should I buy a complete top end gasket set?

Never and I repeat, NEVER reuse a gasket. Once it's done it's job, toss it. Get a complete top end gasket kit. I'd recommend the James.

As to what conversion kit to use, everyone has a different opinion. Look around and ask a lotta questions. Loads of folks in here have done the conversion so that won't be a problem.

I always find these sort of "do it yourself porting" threads amusing....

To quote one of the sites refered to by Lukas

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Final stage before assembly:

This is the BLACK ART of head porting! Thirty plus years of experience go into this stage.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++


But it's just about grind a bit here and grind a bit there and sudenly ya can be an expert on ya first try... :eek: :frownthre


Yes great gains can be had for very little effort in the bottom to mid range with just takin the casting imperfections off and blending the ports into the inserts....

But if it was just that easy WHY didn't the factory do it????

It's been said that a lot of back yard porting jobs have resulted in a lot of diappointed would be machinists. Keep in mind that Lucas sells grindstones... DUH!!

No thanks to the "DIY" head porting. Thats just plain sad. Spend the money and the get valve ports flowbenched,ported and cc'd. If you stick with the stock heads youll get good torque to about 4000rpm, then the motor will fall flat on its face.

having the heads and valves done is not going to hinder torque either. the combo of higher comp pistons and better flowing heads will give you plenty of h/p and torq.just remember anything you do has to work well together to get the best and most h/p.

Willprevale wrote:
Keep in mind that Lucas sells grindstones... DUH!!
What do You mean?

Lukas