most economical way to upgrade 883-1200

[ennbee7]

I've been shopping around looking for most economical way to convert to 1200, HD dealership where i live not too keen on doing it. There is a shop here in town that will do it but about 3K, thats for the full shabang(according to their printed quote). I have a feeling they are taking me for a ride. What I need to know is what do I need as far as the most economical way to convert, i.e. pistons, cams? This shop does good work, but i don't want to feel like i got screwed. Help? By the way the funds are limited. Thanks for any advice you can give me.:rolleyes:

[Predator]

Buy a shop manual and do it yourself.
Buy some basic tools AND a torque wrench.
Buy some reverse dome pistons NRHS or Wiseco.
Get your cylinders bored at NRHS or a local machine shop.
Buy a top-end gasket kit. Preferably cometic.

I helped my mate do his and I think all up it cost around $400 - $450

[Predator]

HOLY CR&P !!!! I just looked on the NRHS website and they have a new special.
They can give you a 1250 around 80+ HP for $1300 :yikes :yikes :yikes
If you've got that kinda cash, you can't do much better for the price.


Never before has so much power been available for such a small price! The new NRHS 1250 flat top conversion package. Send us your 883 heads and we will treat them to our newest speed secret: The NRHS 1250 flat top conversion. We will then include one of our cast iron 1250 kits listed above with forged flat top pistons and SE 536 cams. 80+ hp for the unheard of price $1300!!

[ted]

The $1300 kit is a very good deal if you have the $$. But like predator said in his first answer, it can be done cheaper. Bare bones conversion - cylinder bore, pistons and gaskets can be done under $500. Should get you 65-70 horses. No real need for cams when using stock 883 heads. Very noticable difference from a 883 making under 50 horses. Only problem with the dished conversion pistons is if you want to upgrade heads in the future, pistons will need replaced again. If you feel you will be happy with the bare bones conversion, it is the best return on your $$$. After the bare bones conversion, horses start costing more $$.
Ted

[joesporty]

ya i seen that also i hope the price stays the same im gonna do mine this winter.1250 is a big as u can go without getting your cases bored. and 80 hp is well worth the price. most of us have spent that much on chrome

[ennbee7]

thanks... guess i got some studying and shopping to do, since i am a novice, and i mean a novice at this, i can do simple stuff, but hey i guess i can learn.

[Predator]

thanks... guess i got some studying and shopping to do, since i am a novice, and i mean a novice at this, i can do simple stuff, but hey i guess i can learn.
That's the nice thing about this forum. There are loads of good people here that are all too willing to help you through it. Pretty much any time day or night.

[XLFREAK]

American Rider magazine has a 400$ upgrade in their mag this month. Haven't read the article as yet...must assume a lot of DIY!

[socal1200R]

I've been shopping around looking for most economical way to convert to 1200, HD dealership where i live not too keen on doing it. There is a shop here in town that will do it but about 3K, thats for the full shabang(according to their printed quote). I have a feeling they are taking me for a ride. What I need to know is what do I need as far as the most economical way to convert, i.e. pistons, cams? This shop does good work, but i don't want to feel like i got screwed. Help? By the way the funds are limited. Thanks for any advice you can give me.:rolleyes:

Uh, start out with a 1200?!! All kidding aside, aren't there other differences between an 883 and a 1200, besides the size of the engine? Or does it matter more if it's a 1200 Custom or L versus a 1200S or R (i.e. dual front disc brakes, Buell heads, etc)?

[ennbee7]

yes i should have gone "bigger" but i had back surgery a few years back, just was not sure if i could handle the bigger harley. So... i went to the sporty. lo and behold i can ride it, w/o any problems, turns out i actually like(no, love the smaller sporty!!) I can ride the bigger bikes, but i enjoy the sporty, I would like a little more umph, for the least amount of bucks possible.

[oraznal]

If you absolutely can't do the work yourself (i couldn't) find yourself a reputable indy and you should be out the door with a basic conversion (bore cylinders, dished pistons) for under $1000 easy.