What Donor Bike is best?

Nickelboy · #1 8th June 2010

I want a project so I've been thinking of buying a Sportster and chopping it. My Road King keeps me riding, so I don't need to jump into a purchase either. Locally I've found a 93 1200, and a 97 883. Both with approximately 20k miles with the 1200 at $3300 and 883 at $3000. Which would be a better bike to build upon and why? After the chop, I'll pump up the engines too. So does one model have better clutches, heads, forks or anything that would make it a better donor bike? Or should I just go with the less expensive?

Let me know,

Thanks,
Nickelboy

wandrur · #2 9th June 2010

I bought a '99 1200 XLH with just over 12k miles for $3300 in January. I'll bet you can get the price down with some bargaining. Personally I'd go for the '97 883 of those two. That way you can convert to a 1200/1212/1250 and keep the 883 gearing and such.

Nickelboy · #3 11th June 2010

The 883 has different gearing? In the transmission? Not just the drive pulley's?

Quote:

Originally Posted by wandrur

I bought a '99 1200 XLH with just over 12k miles for $3300 in January. I'll bet you can get the price down with some bargaining. Personally I'd go for the '97 883 of those two. That way you can convert to a 1200/1212/1250 and keep the 883 gearing and such.

94Sporty · #4 11th June 2010

The transmission gearing should be the same for both. The drive pulley is the only difference, 883 has 27 teeth, 1200 has 29. teeth. If you are going to run a speedo, remember that the 93 ran the speedo off the front wheel, there is no sender in the transmission like the later bike. Also the heads are different for the 883 and 1200. Some people think the chamber shape of the 883 is better, but the 883 has smaller valves. The clutches should be the same, the 93 has a different primary cover and clutch release mechanism, can't say which one is better. As far as the frame goes, the only difference I can think of is the rear fender struts. In 93 they curved down where the later bikes went straight back. Front forks should be the same. Also, if it is still stock, the 93 had a smaller gas tank, 2.5 gallon versus the 3.3 gallon for the 97. These are the only big differences that I can think of. Roger

tmack-1 · #5 12th June 2010

In the long run, dollar for dollar the 1200 would be the better buy.

Converting the 883 to 1200 (or 1250

) is $'s and time. Time is usually the thing most of us don't have enough of.

IMO....

jharback · #6 12th June 2010

Yeah, I'd go with the 1200 also. Besides, everyone knows that '93 was the best year for sporty's.