Is it safe to do? Does it create any problems and is it as fast as the 48? I was considering a 48 but hate the tiny tank. The Iron also just seems more easily customizable. How much would it be? ive read it is about $2,000. Where would i even find someone to do such a job? Is it something i could do myself? Is it worth it?

 

A very common upgrade. You can purchase your kit from Harley or there are other options. Typical costs include the kit, installation, ECM flash/tune. You can do it yourself, however, if this is your first time tackling this size project it would be best to have help from someone with experience, otherwise let the dealer do it.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/stor...conversion-kit

 

Would it be cheaper or better in any way to just buy a iron 1200 from the start? i didnt want to do this since i hate the new look of it. Id end up changing the bars, Headlight, and rims if i bought the iron 1200. Being that id do all that would it be better to just go with the 883 and upgrade? Which is most affordable?

 

No sense in hindsight as you have the 883 and it's a nice bike! There are differences aside from the engine displacement and horsepower as your bike was tuned to be an 883 and the front sprocket gearing reflects that. Your dealer may recommend you change that when you do the 1200 upgrade? I would recommend you go and get a price for the upgrade and then compare that to a 1200 version of the Iron. Again, you have a great bike, start by collecting information and digest on that once you have those facts.

 

Sounds like you haven't bought the bike yet. Look around. You may be able to find a '16 or '17 Iron that someone already did the 1200, or 1250, or 1275, upgrade on, along with lots of other upgrades, that they are selling because they want to move to a bigger bike. I am one of them, and I hear it happens a lot. Whoever buys my just traded '17 Iron from my dealer will be getting a ton of value. After the $8K I got in trade for it, I image it will sell in the $9K range. See my sig. below and see what they will be getting with only 2,000 mi on it. My loss, someone's gain. I'll bet there are a ton of them like that where you are.
Or, if you want new, and like the blacked out '17 style better, like I do, find a dealer who has a leftover, and beat him up for a deal on the stage one upgrade. They might be willing to deal to get rid of it. Good luck, and yes, the 1,200 upgrade with pipes, ac, & tuner, makes a huge difference in performance.

 

Good catch, I missed that. Then you buy the 1200 from the start!

 

 

Harley, S&S and Hammer Performance all offer "kits".
Hammer has 1250/1275 cc kits.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/stor...conversion-kit
https://www.sscycle.com/products/883...silver-finish/
https://www.sscycle.com/products/hoo...models-silver/
http://www.hammerperf.com/xlbigborekits.shtml#1275kits

What is involved in installing a kit-
http://www.hammerperf.com/ttinstallkit.shtml

If you like the Iron model but want a 1200, Harley now offers a 1200 Iron with a 3.3 gallon gas tank -
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...d-pricing.html

The 1200 models would be "faster" but an 883 converted to 1200 would likely be "quicker"
The 883s have a lower primary gear ratio giving a little quicker acceleration but likely a little less top end speed.

http://www.hammerperf.com/ttinstallkit.shtml

 

good info!

 

Safe if done right. 883s have different gearing than stock 1200s. A converted 883 should have quicker acceleration but less top speed than a stock 1200. At 75 mph, the 883 / converted 1200 is at around 3,800 RPM, whereas a stock 1200 should be somewhere around 3,200. (No harm running your bike at 3,800 RPM.)

I don't like how 1200 Irons look either but they are a great value. Buying a 48 and replacing the tank was a good suggestion.