Harley Davidson Forums

bow_2no1 · Mar 9th, 2011, 08:54 PM

last year i bought a 1988 sportster. originally it was a 883.. i was told it had a 1200 kit installed...how do i tell?

JBC2565 · Mar 9th, 2011, 09:51 PM

Not sure if this link has before and after pics, but worth a shot.
Welcome to the forum.

883 To 1200 Conversion - Archive - Harley Davidson Community

tcspannerwrench · Mar 10th, 2011, 12:10 AM

this is just a thought but if you know someone who has a factory 1200 ask to ride it the gearing is lower in a 883 so i would think an 883 that has been bumped up should be a noticable diference taking off from a stop

=================================================

on the same note at hwy speeds you should be turning a higher rpm than someone with a stock 1200

NEWHD74FAN · Mar 10th, 2011, 02:06 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by bow_2no1 View Post

last year i bought a 1988 sportster. originally it was a 883.. i was told it had a 1200 kit installed...how do i tell?

Welcome Bow_2no1 to the HDTalking forum and your first post. Kind of a tough question, because some 1200 kits do not have externally changed items, while others include new barrels and gasket kits. The only real way to tell is measure bore and stroke or "somehow" measure the volume at bottom dead center and top dead center and subtracting the distance in one cylinder. 1200cc is approx 73.4 cu in. The alternative is to remove a head (hopefully mods were done to both cylinders) and actually cc (measure bore and stroke swept area which is rather drastic for "your" piece of mind...

Personally, until it is time to "crack" it open, just work up the performance of your hardware as best you can and enjoy. The key is to ratchet up the smiles per mile and get some seat time...really when all is said and done, personal satisfaction with the hardware you have is rule #1...all the other stuff comes later.

Jack Klarich · Mar 10th, 2011, 08:43 PM

Without part numbers the sure way would be to measure the bore, the 883 can be bumped up with new jugs and pistons

bow_2no1 · Mar 13th, 2011, 06:13 PM

i have a friend who had a 883 with a 1200 kilt also have i ridden with him with no problems at all keeping up. the kit he has on he had done by the dealer so he knows it's a 1200.

i guess i was just looking for a 100% confirmation.

BUBBIE · Mar 13th, 2011, 08:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by bow_2no1 View Post

i have a friend who had a 883 with a 1200 kilt also have i ridden with him with no problems at all keeping up. the kit he has on he had done by the dealer so he knows it's a 1200.

i guess i was just looking for a 100% confirmation.

You probably have to Pull at least one head to see.... A 883 is a 3" bore and a 1200 is a 31/2"bore... IF I went that far, I would be putting a set of
wiseco 10.5 /1 pistons in and FLY around the other 1200's..

signed....BUBBIE

YnotBiker · Mar 13th, 2011, 11:18 PM

Did you buy it from a dealer? The dealer keeps a history of all the work done on each Harley by Vin number. If you bought it from a dealer, you can go back to them and they can tell you what work has been done.

Mar 9th, 2011, 09:51 PM	#2
JBC2565 Community Guru Wannabe Ride: 1998 Heritage Softail Classic Join Date: Nov 10th, 2010 Location: Berryville VA Posts: 840	Re: how to identify 1200cc? Not sure if this link has before and after pics, but worth a shot. Welcome to the forum. 883 To 1200 Conversion - Archive - Harley Davidson Community

Mar 10th, 2011, 12:10 AM	#3
tcspannerwrench Start The Engine Ride: 2011 Street Glide Join Date: Feb 28th, 2011 Posts: 33 My Mood:	this is just a thought but if you know someone who has a factory 1200 ask to ride it the gearing is lower in a 883 so i would think an 883 that has been bumped up should be a noticable diference taking off from a stop ================================================= on the same note at hwy speeds you should be turning a higher rpm than someone with a stock 1200 Last edited by Dr. Dolittle; Mar 10th, 2011 at 08:38 AM. Reason: merged posts

Mar 10th, 2011, 02:06 AM	#4
NEWHD74FAN Retired Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200R Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 8,273 My Mood:	Re: how to identify 1200cc? Quote: Originally Posted by bow_2no1 View Post last year i bought a 1988 sportster. originally it was a 883.. i was told it had a 1200 kit installed...how do i tell? Welcome Bow_2no1 to the HDTalking forum and your first post. Kind of a tough question, because some 1200 kits do not have externally changed items, while others include new barrels and gasket kits. The only real way to tell is measure bore and stroke or "somehow" measure the volume at bottom dead center and top dead center and subtracting the distance in one cylinder. 1200cc is approx 73.4 cu in. The alternative is to remove a head (hopefully mods were done to both cylinders) and actually cc (measure bore and stroke swept area which is rather drastic for "your" piece of mind... Personally, until it is time to "crack" it open, just work up the performance of your hardware as best you can and enjoy. The key is to ratchet up the smiles per mile and get some seat time...really when all is said and done, personal satisfaction with the hardware you have is rule #1...all the other stuff comes later. __________________ * Please click "Self Help Tips" tab for service tips, diagnostic codes & such * ;o) * Please click "Search" tab and keywords to find related threads *

Mar 10th, 2011, 08:43 PM	#5
Jack Klarich Contributor$ Ride: 2007 Streetbob Join Date: Sep 25th, 2009 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 13,760 My Mood:	Re: how to identify 1200cc? Without part numbers the sure way would be to measure the bore, the 883 can be bumped up with new jugs and pistons __________________ CAPITAL JACK( Nuff Said, We're Burnin Daylight, Let's Ride)

Mar 13th, 2011, 06:13 PM	#6
bow_2no1 New Family Ride: davidson Join Date: Mar 9th, 2011 Posts: 2	Re: how to identify 1200cc? i have a friend who had a 883 with a 1200 kilt also have i ridden with him with no problems at all keeping up. the kit he has on he had done by the dealer so he knows it's a 1200. i guess i was just looking for a 100% confirmation.

Harley Davidson Forums

Membership Benefits

how to identify 1200cc?

Sportster Models

Pages

Self Help Tips

Self Help Tips

Resources

Mar 13th, 2011, 08:29 PM	#7
BUBBIE Contributor$ Ride: FLHR 09 Join Date: Oct 15th, 2008 Location: AZ, S.East corner/Western WA. Posts: 4,015 My Mood:	Re: how to identify 1200cc? Quote: Originally Posted by bow_2no1 View Post i have a friend who had a 883 with a 1200 kilt also have i ridden with him with no problems at all keeping up. the kit he has on he had done by the dealer so he knows it's a 1200. i guess i was just looking for a 100% confirmation. You probably have to Pull at least one head to see.... A 883 is a 3" bore and a 1200 is a 31/2"bore... IF I went that far, I would be putting a set of wiseco 10.5 /1 pistons in and FLY around the other 1200's.. signed....BUBBIE __________________ ************************* Quite Often I am Right so Forgive me when I'm WRONG!!!.......

Mar 13th, 2011, 11:18 PM	#8
YnotBiker Warming The Wheels Ride: 2010 FXDF Fat Bob Join Date: Nov 30th, 2010 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 101 My Mood:	Re: how to identify 1200cc? Did you buy it from a dealer? The dealer keeps a history of all the work done on each Harley by Vin number. If you bought it from a dealer, you can go back to them and they can tell you what work has been done.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
2000 Roadster 1200cc	BikeSAG	Sportster Models	10	Nov 19th, 2010 02:57 PM
Can you identify this transmission	tank64	General Harley Davidson Topic	6	Nov 16th, 2010 09:02 PM
Help identify a 1200 conversion	hdgoogles	Sportster Models	11	May 16th, 2010 05:03 PM
how do i identify what tranny i have	frankenstienbike	Transmission	0	Jan 7th, 2010 07:08 PM
Can anybody identify this exhaust?	NYHarley	Sportster Models	1	Apr 22nd, 2009 11:24 PM