I have read so many different tales about converting an 883 to some higher displacement.

Some say its the way to go and could be cheaper than buying a 1200 from the get go.

Some say screw 1200, if your starting with an 883 you might as well go past 1200 to 1250 and up.

Some say stay away from an 883 conversion all together and just get a 1200 from the start.

Some say the 883 is perfectly fine and to leave it alone.

Lets get some personal experience with this on here please.

Thank you.

 

I don't believe there are major price differences between the 883 and the 1200, that being said, to me it makes more sense to buy a 1200. I would NEVER buy an 883/1200 conversion, I just don't trust it.

 

I have heard all sorts of self proclaimed "Serious Harley Guys" say the conversion is the way to go because you get more power from that versus a standard 1200. I have never riden a conversion sporty so i cant really compare it to my 1200 but im completely happy with mine. i got mine for 4800 with only 3500 miles on it in damn near showroom condition. So price couldnt have been better so price can be right there with the 883 if you look hard enough. basically, if the extra 50cc's is worth the extra work then by all means go for it. but if you couldnt care less about a slight difference, go with a 1200.

 

If you don't mind paying extra to the insurance man, go with the 1200. I will enjoy converting my Iron to a 1200 stage II sleeper and having exactly the bike I wanted (looks, performance, less money for insurance). I don't plan on selling my bike so you can save the resale value talk. If you wanted a bigger bike than a sportster, than YOU should have bought it in the first place.

 

A conversion can go wrong if not done correctly. Most common error is using the wrong heads and pistons resulting in too high a compression ratio. Bike will run like Jack The Bear, until it self destructs... begining with head gasket failure.

That said, a properly done conversion can be a reliable, streetable hot rod.

 

Totally agree John K, I research the update project success stories, use parts from very reliable sources and do my own work, so I know it was done right. I agree with Stargaze, I wouldn't buy somebody's conversion either.

 

^ that is a result of improper analysis, information and execution.

A well done 1250 conversion will run rings around a stock 1200. The 883 has lower gearing, so you already have a better low end "take off". You can adjust the final drive by chain conversion and swapping in taller sprockets/more teeth.

Like mentioned above, insurance will be cheaper as you're insuring an 883, not a 1200.

Some of us, actually like the denim Iron looks (which only comes in 883) but want the power of a 1200+. So we opt for the conversion route.

Me, i went with the Hammer performance 1250 kit, 1200 Heads, 560 cams and this thing is a monster. The difference between my friends 1200 custom and my 1250 Iron is light years in comparison.

 

The truth is you do the research and base your decision on what you want to accomplish. For those stating they would never buy someone else's conversion...if I should ever decide to sell mine I would simply re-install the factory 883 parts and you would be none the wiser. Use your head. More concerning is the recent fad of chopping up perfectly good bikes...try to make that sale.

 

I have a 883 converted to 1200 w/ stage 1.. I love it.. it feels way faster to me.
I get cheaper insurance, In canada insurance is a rip off anyway, but if you insure over 1000 its alot more, and since i can still insure as a 883, it was a no brainer for me. I still have the faster bike and have some extra money in my pocket every month.

 

As noted, a conversion is awesome if executed properly, the insurance discount is a bonus, but how would you know who wrenched on it? Personally, I'd rather buy an unmolested bike and do the conversion myself. Then there would be no question in my mind what was done, how it was done, and when something fails... I'll have a pretty good idea where I f*cked up.

EDIT: I'm assuming here that we're talking about buying an already converted bike, re-reading the OP, that may be an incorrect assumption on my part. Bottom line, I have nothing against conversions, as long as I do them myself on my bike.