I am seriously thinking of doing a 1200 conversion on my 1999 XLH. This would be a complete kit rather than boring the stock cylinders. Just wondering if I should go with the HD kit or put together something from aftermarket. I am not really looking to turn this into a screamer, just would like to have the additional power and performance of the 1200. I rode to Texas and back this summer (about 3000 miles) and the883 is a liitle anemic in the mountains.

 

There are many ways to go about the conversion. I would have a good machine shop(i use Hillside cycle) bore the cyls. Get a set of wiseco's to match the compression you are shooting for. As for cams and headworks, there are also tons of options on which way you can go. Maybe a set of n4's with a bit of head porting/cleanup.........You want a reallllllll screamer, kick that compresion up there and throw in a set of n8's...That will haul ***, but may not be for you and your riding conditions...Dont forget to adress the timing, carb and exhaust as well as i am not sure what you are running now.

 

Has SE bolt in cams SE hi flo A?C Santee 45 cal duals Stock carb has been rejetted. Bike runs great but just can't keep up with the big boys over the long haul. As I said I am not really looking to bore anything but rather go with new, cyls, pistons, heads. Figure to spend 1500 +/- and just want the best bang for my buck

 

Head-Quarters dose a 1200 kit too, they recomend porting the 883 head VS. working existing 1200 heads. They say they can get more power from them, and the combustion chambers are already smaller so they dont need to be milled as much.

the also have there "whipper stick" cams that ive heard realy rock. You will have NO problems keeping up after this.

I would recomend boring your OE barrels or have HQ send some with the kit already done and exchange yours (if they are realy nice condition).

 

Thanks for the info, but I don.t see anything on the site about sportsters. I did send an email tho.

 

Went with V Twin 1200 Big Bore which includes Jugs, 9.5:1 Wiseco Pistons, Hasting Rings, Was around 500.00 They include Gaskets but went with Cometic Gaskets for about 100 extra worth it I feel... Anyhow if have 1500 to work with this will leave you some carryover for Head and Cam work if want to kick the Ponies up a little more...

 

You will have to go to HQs USA site and go to the build section and click on HD the to Sporty, you will see them there.

 

I agree with reworking the 883's over the 1200 heads. The last one I did go a very well manored 93 horse with 87 torque with the SE 536 cams. I used the R&R Cycle stage 4 porting.

 

OK Got a link from HQ on the sporty. Heads are a toss up. Seems that sending mine to them is good. They will port them and install the larger 1200 valves. They recommend having the 883 cylinders bored out, once they are "broken in", rather than new 1200 jugs. Less chance of distortion is what they say. Seems to make sense. Have 16000 on the scoot so I think it is broken in My only concern is boring the cyliders Had a 283 Chevy bored to 301 Ran like a striped ape but there is a lot of meat in a v8 block. Just skeptical about boring standard jugs to 1200 specks. Looking at a 2003 Lowrider to use when I lay up the spory, so maybe that will ease my mind a little Thanks for all the input

 

Boring the cylinders is the same thing the Moco does.
Have done dozens of 'em.
Always a home run.