I have a 2012 1200 that I plan on doing a chain conversion to. The main goal is to have a torquey hooligan that I can wheelie from time to time, but still ride to work and carve up the canyons with. I'm settling between 22 front and 58 rear - or should I go higher in the rear? I still need it to do 100mph in the freeways LOL. Thanks in advance!

 

So you want a torquey hooligan machine that can wheelie and do 100mph on the freeway.

The maximum speed limit on Californian freeways is 65mph and wheelies are illegal because with only one wheel on the highway you won't be in full control of the motorcycle. It sounds to me like you need to grow-up or buy a Yamakawahonduki sportbike and risk loosing your motorcycle licence.

Harley's are for responsible riders, not juvenile thrill seekers.

 

Sorry, I'm 50+ and going through an extended mid-life crisis - and there are Dynas, Roadglides, etc here going 100mph+ ALL DAY. No one goes 65. If you do, you'll be a fly in someone's windshield. Probably a semi's.

 

I'm NoCal, roads out here they won't understand till they try them. Far as your little dream machine pick which side of the field you want, stunter or a highway runner, you aren't going to get both on a piglet without dumping some healthy money and mods on it then you'll still have a halfass mash up that won't do either really well. Then it sinks in you could bought a bigger machine that could have done both and been cheaper. Been down this road with a few guys and sporties.

 

22/58 seems perhaps a bit low gearing. I have a 1991 (originally an 883) with stock chain drive. My stock sprockets are 21/48, which with my 1250 kit will probably wheelie quite easily if I choose to, which I definitely do not. It certainly has great acceleration with the 1250 kit, but have not hit the 100 mph mark. A good "0-to-85" blast is stimulating enough for me today. Got the 100+ mph bug out of my system 40 years ago in my 20's. Glad I survived that phase of life.

I'm not sure how the 21/48 would be on your 2012, as they changed the primary chain ratio on the 1200s back in 2004. Since it's taller at the output shaft than mine, going up on the rear might make sense, you'll have to work the numbers. Either way, 21/48 was the OG final drive chain ratio on the 883 when they last used chains.

Good luck, and ride safely!

John

 

Need to back up the through process, since HD forks, and even head set, is not designed to take the pressure of coming back down hard from a wheelie.
So until you beef up the head seat/frame, and the forks, forget the wheelie thing on a HD.

 

I think we've all gone through that speed king thing when we were young, John,

In 1984, I worked 125 miles from my home, I'd commute once a week either way as I rented an appartment near my place of work. I was running the Laverda 1200 at that time, I'd complete the 125 mile journey in 90 minutes, quick blasts up to 130mph helped, there were no speed cameras everywhere like there is today and I soon discovered where the police speed traps were. The Laverda enjoyed the motorway workout, but it took most of my five UK gallon fuel tank to do the 125 miles, there was about a cup full left in the bottom when I reached my destination. Ridden hard I only got around 27 miles to the gallon, but fuel was cheap in those days and I was 27 years old earning a respectable salary, so I could afford it.

That was the reason I bought the Laverda, it was an excellent mile muncher and it had a great turn of speed, topping off at 142mph.

These days I'm nearing 68 years old and my reactions are slower than they were forty years ago and so is the speed that I travel at, at least I have my happy memories of my days as a "Ton Up" boy.

 

OP- make sure to post up some video of you riding a 100 mph wheelie once you get the bike where you want it.

 

I've got 1200 gearing in my 883 and it's adequate unless you ride for hours on the highway all the time, the engine's built too. The 883 gearing sucked donkey *****.

 

If you gear it to an 883 you're going to loose top end.