The Basics Of Converting Your 883

An introductory video for converting your XL 883

[@ace7626]

I’m glad you guys are making videos about this stuff now so it can help people understand more about how it all works.

[@jericonavas6369]

I bet the person who disliked this video was the same person who bought the wrong piston and fucked up his bike haha!! Great video thanks for the info.

[@Teatimeted]

I've watched hundreds, perhaps thousands of youtube videos and no matter what video I am watching, there are always downvotes, no matter how altruistic the video. I have come to the conclusion that a comparison of the downvotes to uppvotes ratio of any given video represents the arsehole to non arsehole ratio in any given subject. So, in this case the arsehole ratio is quite low, perhaps we could guess at two percent (clearly I am not a mathematician)..... therefore, two percent of all sporstster modifiers are arseholes. Personally, I find those numbers quite encouraging.

[@thollingsworth4910]

Hahahaha!!! That's funny

[@deekay4559]

Its nice to hear this much talk of the quench area. Its an unbelievably important topic and saw it firsthand racing 125cc.

[@majorlifts]

I can listen to this guy all day, thanks for making this easier to understand. Thank you for your time and making this video.

[@lukealvarez530]

These guys are the real deal. Excellent explanation, and great installation videos.

[@WetBananaMike]

Awesome!!! Thank you Aaron for your help with my kit, as well as explaining this for me!!👍😁👍

[@03flhtcui]

Very good video and excellent explanation of the different heads and pistons used for the conversion kits.

[@4486xxdawson]

Man i always wanted to know how you use 883 heads on the kit and now i totally get it ive watched a few of your videos now and plan to do my bike and im getting your kit . Great job on the video thanks

[@Joseph-yp4sz]

Nice video. Lots of guys ask about this stuff on Facebook groups all the time. Now they can have a visual explanation.

[@codybatman7974]

Glad to see this account active!

[@builtnotboughtbybruce]

Thanks Aaron. Great video with easy to understand explanations. I know now where I'm going for my conversion kit for my 883.

[@IncaSteppa13]

True dedication ! Fine men! Thx for this info. Greets Belgium

[@stwhite5135]

Excellent video! My sportster was already converted to 1200cc when I bought it. But this is an interesting videofor anyone interested in internal combustion engines.

[@syyenergy7]

The last time my originally 883 was done, was back in 1992 and absolutely no one had all this stuff. My heads were hogged out and Baisley valves were installed with bronze guides with an Andrews V4 cam. But the thing has loads of power and somehow gets better mpg than the stock 883, even though it's a 1200 .020 over {for almost 30 years now}. I had the 1989 883 new and in 6 months and it was a 1200 convert in short time with the head hogged out and stock 883 valves. In 1992 I had everything done to it with S&S roads and balanced for high rpm. But back then, Evo's were very new and hardly any of them were rebuilt so options were very few, The guy that did my engine and trans was in San Marcos, CA (Regeneration Motors, Mike Drennan) and he built Panheads and Shovels mainly and rode a hopped rigid Panhead. He DID know his stuff though and he knew I knew a few things too, so I hung around the shop a lot. The Harley-Buell thing was after this time-period. Looks like there is a lot better stuff out now and if I need something I'll be going through you people.

[@leelizardwilcox6271]

Hammer has complete bolt on kits available in 90 100 110 120 horsepower versions.

[@huka_ro7852]

Love your videos, thank you for having made them and for sharing them 👍

[@jefftilghman9059]

Very good explaination. I'm a technical guy and would like to see more videos with more details.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I loved my 883 with an S&S B carb and punched out mufflers. Great bike. If I saw one for sale tomorrow I'd buy it.

[@Houseworksaws]

Wow that’s a great informative video.. thanks for sharing 👍

[@anthonyscott16]

Wow, did I learn a lot from this vid. Thanks!

[@ace7626]

Great stuff man.

[@EASTON-HARLEY-416]

Aaron what's up Brother i have a 2011 883IRON i bought it January Friday The 13th of 2023 my first time riding a Harley with the following Sunday I rode to LA and back from Riverside to buy a old school World war II so that was my first time riding a Harley ummm ummmmm listening to explain helped me understand my Harley i have a electrical issue with it right now it's my only transportation right now so I can't go to work right now 🤙🏻

[@KingPhoey]

This is freaking awesome.

[@ThatBobGuy850]

Great video! Thanks for the tips!

[@billskinny7639]

Great video, sir. Thank you 👍

[@scottdouglasmaclachlan4792]

Best head tutorial I've ever heard, other than my ex's. ;)

[@petterin1]

Great way to give this info!

[@londonrhodes2429]

Wow man thanks for taking me to school!

[@HEADSPINSTV]

Great explanation!

[@aaronjohn20]

Keep them coming! Man i shoulda bought 1 of those shirts

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

Hi Aaron We still have them for sale! :-)

[@rickpelland3768]

Wicked explanation

[@demon_rider666]

Amazing video, thinking to change my 883, it's a 2005 with stage 1 modifications and bigger ignition leads and iridium plugs, would I be able to just change the pistons?

[@peterjohntruter5043]

I really enjoyed this video. Your experience speaks loads! Been considering a conversion but I am based in South Africa...

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

Not a problem at all! We ship internationally practically every single day. We have thousands of our engine kits in service all over the globe. See here for a complete conversion package: www.hammerperf.com/883conversions.shtml#basic

[@tattooglisha]

Doesnt Ducati have Hemi chamber? Great job guys Im happy with my 1250! I rule the street light

[@zeke7142003]

I had a '89 883 and had a 1200 conversion done in '91. I had a S & S Super B carb and it ran great. My friend had a '94 1200 Sportster that was stock. I could pull away from him at any speed and I had the stock 883 heads. The only thing that was done to the heads was the combustion chamber was enlarged. I don't know what compression ratio I was running but it took a good battery to start.

[@mynamedoesntmatter9013]

For the 883 heads, I get keeping the squish band, but it looks like there would be a sharp edge from that newly made squish band to the actual head. Would that create a hot area? Should that be beveled?

[@tomcampbell8931]

Could you explain the benefits of adding the 2 extra spark plugs to the bike?

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

It makes almost no difference at all on an Evolution motor. On Ironheads, with a big, obstructing dome, it made a big difference, but I have yet to find one iota of power by dual plugging an Evolution motor, and I've tried.

[@warriornova-yr1xs]

I'm seriously considering a simple 1200 conversion on my 99 Hugger. I don't plan on any other upgrades, but the bike has stage 1 screamin eagle air cleaner and slip ons and jetted. Will I need a bigger carb or at least change jetting? I plan to upgrade to aftermarket dual fire ignition. Thanks.

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

you will not need a bigger carb, but you will more than likely need to rejet.

[@warriornova-yr1xs]

HAMMER PERFORMANCE thank you for your help. Have a great day!

[@aracecar4627]

So I have a few questions. I'm kind of new to this stuff so my first question is. When people say "liter bikes" does this kit turning a 883cc into a 1200cc anything over 1000cc is a liter right? Does this make it a liter bike? Or is this still different then buying the iron 1200 from the factory?

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

The term "liter bike" generally refers to 1000cc sport bikes. When I hear the term, that's what I think of. I personally have never heard anyone use the term with reference to a cruiser type bike, or with reference to a bike that's bigger than 1000cc. But like all slang terms, it's meaning is subject to evolving over time, and it may mean different things to different people.

[@johnfranco3606]

Question im running a 1250 kit on my 89 sporty, it runs like a beast but when i tore it down the heads where a bathtub shape, not a hemi, am i mistaken or was there a factory 883 head that was a bathtub shape?

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

Yes, the early 4-speed heads were bathtubs, on both 883's (49cc chambers) and 1100's (62cc chambers). According to the parts books, it was 1986 only. However, I've seen a number of early 1987 1100's with bathtubs, and I've seen 883's with bathtubs all the way into 1989 models.

[@Josh-if5qh]

I’m starting my 883-1200 this weekend. How much power am i gonna be losing by sticking with stock heads? Like in the long run? Or is that squish making up for the lack of cc’s? I know there’s no replacement for displacement but kinda curious

[@garyjacques5982]

I got a question for you all. What kind of kit would you recommend for 91-883. Doing like a 1250 conversion. trying Keeping the stock heads and cams but the motor has around 65,000would you do a total freshen up or would you just do a top-end

[@hammerperformance9867]

We would recommend this package: www.hammerperf.com/883conversions.shtml#basic . As far as the lower end goes, we've seen them go over 200K miles, and we've seen others fail before they get to 10K miles, so it's really impossible to predict when yours will need rebuilding.

[@stefansmyle9369]

im doing this conversion on my 2005 883 to the 1200, mine is carbureted, you recommended. an ignition , what kind of ignition do i need? Thank You..

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

Hi Stefan, we don't make 1200 kits, but if you want to see the requirements of our 1250 & 1275 kits, click here: www.hammerperf.com/xlbigborekits.shtml#1250options . At that link we offer the ignition, jets, spark plugs, and clutch upgrade that are required for a successful 1250 or 1275 conversion on a 2005 XL883 model. But don't assume those requirements will be the same for someone else's 1200 kit, you really need to get that information from them. Also see here for a chart comparing a 1200 to a 1250 to a 1275 with no other changes: www.hammerperf.com/images/1200vs1250vs1275.gif . As you will see, the 1250 and 1275 bring a lot to the party over a wide rpm range, as compared to a 1200.

[@durlovborah6270]

Harli division is very nice bike i also like this bike

[@paulseabrook8179]

Is that first 1200 head (middle) is dual plug 1200s head?

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

Damn, I was hoping nobody would notice that ;) At least you didn't notice the non-stock valve seat. No, it's not a 1200S head. We didn't have any stock 1200 hemi heads in the shop. So I had to use one that's had some work done to it. Dual-plugging it was one of the things we did.

[@jasonsampson9408]

I pulled the heads off my 1989 xl883 and bumped it up to 1200 but it had bathtub chamers on it and I know it's never been apart I wish I could get some info on my heads

[@pmay222]

could i just get headwork done to the 883 without the 1200 conversion..? id be interested in about 70bhp and maintain a bit of fuel efficiency and cruise more easily at 80mph..? my 883 was ok just needed a weeny bit more for motorway and 2 up riding... i dont ride fast anymore..

[@1965l88]

It'd be a much better "bang for the buck" (and probably not a lot more money) to just do the basic 1275 conversion. You'll get almost 80 hp with it, along with a bunch more torque that you WON'T get with headwork and the cams you'll need to go with the headwork.

[@rosicroix777]

Am sorry for asking a stupid question, but couldn't you run the 1200cc bathtub style heads on an 883cc motor & get a little better power rather than doing the whole 1200cc kit ? I'd think it'd need a bigger carb & freer exhaust . I'm probably wrong & if so please tell me I am & I'll just wait & save the extra $$$$ to get the full 1200cc kit. TY & sorry again 4 the stupid question.

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

Couple reasons you can't put 1200 heads over an 883. First and foremost, the valves would hit the cylinder decks, because the valves are too big for the small 3" bore of the 883. Second, bathtub 1200 heads have a 62cc chamber, which which would only give a 7.5:1 compression ratio when used over the 883 motor. The small motor needs the small 49cc chambers found in 883 heads.

[@ItbS2k04]

Hello Hammer! Looking to purchase your 1250 kit for my 1999 sportster. If I purchase online does it come with the springs I need to adjust my carb?

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

The engine kit itself comes with cylinders, pistons, rings, pins, clips, and head and base gaskets. But whenever you install a 1250 or 1275 kit, there are other required and recommended pieces. The exact list of items varies depending on the year and model (883 or 1200). You can find both a list of what you need and the items themselves here: www.hammerperf.com/xlbigborekits.shtml#1250options . But if you've got an 883, most guys just do it the easy way and get the complete conversion package, which is offered here: www.hammerperf.com/883conversions.shtml#basic . It has everything you need or might want to successfully convert an 883 to a 1250 or 1275.

[@marthahernandez1662]

Will changing my cam on my 883 bike will it sound better I mean loud and my sweepper

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

The only way you're going to affect the sound very much with a cam change is by adding overlap to the cams, which makes for a lumpy idle. But 883 heads by design can't handle much overlap without causing piston to valve clearance issues. Watch this video to understand the limitations of cam swaps with 883 heads: www.hammerperf.com/ttvideos.shtml#highpowerconversion . Also read more on the subject here: www.hammerperf.com/883conversions.shtml#faq1

[@Salvatore3333]

hello im doing an 883 to 1200 conversion myself, do i necessarely have to change cams and if so which ones do i need? can i keep my stock heads? what else will be be altered in this process, maybe jets?? i have a 96 sportster i live in UK , please let me know thanks

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

You can do just an 883-1200 conversion alone. You can run stock heads and cams as well. You will need to change the jets out once you do the conversion

[@Salvatore3333]

thanks for your reply @@HAMMERPERFORMANCE very professional of you, regards.

[@stuartbuckley8720]

Will the newer style heads work/fit my 1994 883? I like the squish pattern better on those heads.

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

Absolutely! It's very common to put 2004+ XL1200 heads, or Buell XB heads, onto bikes dating all the way back to 1991. There are a few issues to deal with, but solutions for them are readily available. Contact us for more information www.hammerperf.com/contactus.shtml#salesform

[@stuartbuckley8720]

@@HAMMERPERFORMANCE I will have to get you to hook me up with a 1274 big bore and heads. I want a dependable engine that has awesome acceleration. Mine has nearly 50k miles but runs like new so its hard to talk myself into taking it apart. It doesn't use oil or anything. But its a slug. I avoid highway riding with it.

[@Brugh440]

Hello , what power will Andrews N2 camshafts give me with a basic kit 1275 with stock head 883? Thanks a lot ✌️

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

Follow this link to see the dyno sheet: www.hammerperf.com/883conversions.shtml#faq1

[@jonwsin0014]

Can any one answer? Does the 1200 conversion wear out the 883 bottom end quicker? Iv herd the 883 has a stronger bottom end... but can anyone elaborate a little?

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

Since 1995, the 883 and 1200 of any given model year have shared the same crankshaft. Literally the same part numbers, they're not even balanced differently. So no, the 883 does not have a stronger bottom end than the 1200. It's all the same stuff. In terms of wear, well, the 1200 pistons are heavier, and this imparts more load on the crankshaft, so in theory the 1200 would wear faster. But truth be told it's a minor factor compared to other things. You're going to get far more variability in wear from things like how you ride the bike, the oil you use, how well you tune it, and frankly the luck of the draw in terms of how well made the crank was made to begin with. I've seen bone stock 883's lose their big end bearings before they hit 10K miles and I've seen hot rodded 1250's go over 200K miles.

[@jonwsin0014]

@@HAMMERPERFORMANCE thanks alot for the speedy reply. If I get an 883 I'm forsure getting your conversion kit. Thanks

[@zachthegunguy]

Question: so how would I know if the 883 iron I’m wanting to buy had a bath tube chamber? Is is all 04 and up models have them? Or how can I figure that out?

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

The last 883 bath tub chambers shipped in 1989. They've been hemi's ever since.

[@zachthegunguy]

So let’s say I purchase a 2017 883, can I put 1989 heads with the bath tube chamber and new valves and piston head to match the set up on the 2017 engine? And would it be a better set up?

[@zachthegunguy]

HAMMER PERFORMANCE I’m 34 y/0 and I just love learning from you, I’ve done a little machining for about 5 years, but I would love to come work for you and learn all your knowledge. I’m in Indiana if your close.

[@MsDasnake]

If I order a 80hp 1275 kit from you, do I mail you my current heads?

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

Yes, the procedure is first we put paperwork in place and go back and forth as needed to make sure it meets your needs. Then you send in your heads. Once your heads hit the door, that kicks off your project. Once we finish the heads, we'll contact you for payment info, ship your order, and send you a tracking number. More info on this page, including a contact form and shipping instructions and payment instructions: www.hammerperf.com/contactus.shtml

[@MsDasnake]

Very cool, thank you

[@JH-oh1in]

I wonder if they have ever thought to toy with Somender Singh theory in the quench area of the chamber?

[@TheBalyon85]

Can you run the reverse dome piston on a 1200 head?

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

Your compression would fall through the basement, wiping out performance. Some guys do it for boosted applications though (turbo and superchargers). However, many reverse dome conversion pistons have smaller diameter valve pockets, or valve pockets that are moved inboard. They're designed this way to take advantage of the smaller valves found in 883 heads, to provide more material between the bottom of the pocket and the top ring groove, allowing the pocket to be made deeper, which is something that 883 heads need. So even if you want really low compression for some reason, you can get into trouble on piston to valve clearance around the perimeter of the valve (i.e. "eyebrow clearance") when using reverse dome conversion pistons under 1200 heads, depending on the specifics of the heads and cams being used.

[@TheBalyon85]

@@HAMMERPERFORMANCE thanks for the reply. I'm trying to figure out how I want to go with my 883 conversion. I have 22k miles and trying to rework my heads with minimal down time. Debated a set of stock 1200 heads, 570 cams and 1275, bit was trying to do it all in stages.

[@jasonwilliams4197]

I want to do big bore with stock heads and cam will it be ok

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

Yes, that's what we call the "basic conversion" and the vast majority of conversions are done this way. It makes a massive increase in torque and power. You can read all about it here: www.hammerperf.com/883conversions.shtml#basic

[@robertohuerta8499]

Where can I buy a kit for my 2020 883?

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

You can find a complete package here: www.hammerperf.com/883conversions.shtml#basic . It has everything you need for a successful conversion, including your choice of 1250 or 1275 kit, in the proper big fin style for your bike, a Cometic EST top end gasket set (you'll have every gasket you encounter during the installation), the ring gapping & preassembly service, a full extra plate clutch upgrade (late 883's need this) with clutch spring compressor tool, a primary gasket, a Power Vision tuner, and the spark plugs we specify. Literally everything you need except the common hand tools and the oil.

[@nikolaiownz]

Dont 883 heads got to small valves for any performance builds?

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

You're right, to get really big power out of an 883 you have to work the heads, among other things. But basic conversions are extremely popular because they deliver such a huge bang for the buck. We actually got 82.2hp out of our 2007 XL883 with a 1275 reverse dome conversion kit, stock 883 heads, stock cams, and stage 1 stuff. Check it out here: www.hammerperf.com/883conversions.shtml#basic . As you can see, the result just towers over the 46hp stock 883 result. This is why basic conversions are our best sellers, they deliver a lot of power while being easy on the wallet. Nothing else you can do for the money makes anywhere near as big of a difference.

[@newwavepressure6478]

Anyone know what the LX stands for in a sportster 1200xl

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

eXperimental Lightweight

[@solomonkullman1577]

So - stock ‘99 883 heads use reverse dome pistons

[@cetiano]

Reprogramming is necessary?

[@cetiano]

I have a sporty 883 2016

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

yes, you must use an after market fuel management system to re tune the bike. You must change the timing tables, and give it more fuel.

[@benhager2559]

Why does almost no one mention, picking up a used buell xb12 engine, and using it to build on. I just looked, you can get a used buell engine for about 1k, with reasonable mileage. It gives you the bottom end, the pistons and rods, the heads, cams and lifters, oil pump, and primary parts. Almost any local shop, can do the machine work, to allow the sportster cases, to accept the buell bottom end ( its not expensive) , and every shop I've checked with, is familiar with the work. With the cost of a used buell engine, and machine costs, you can build a sportster engine, that makes 100hp, 85 ft lb, for under 2k, if you did the work your self. That beats any kit I have ever seen, when you consider all the upgrades you get. Even the buell oil pump, is far better than what comes on a sportster. The crank and bottom end is far superior, to even a 1200 sportster. Even with the cost of these kits, your still at the mercy of the weak sportster bottom end. The Harley factory, sportster bottom end, will never handle revs to 7k, for a life over 50k miles. The buell bottom end, even with high piston speeds, will live for a long time, revving to 7k every day. There are buells with well over 50k miles, that rev happily to 7k , with out issues, and many will hold up to near or more than 100k, if you don't beat on it every day. Cost wise, and for reliability, hands down, picking up a used buell engine, to build a sleeper sporty, is the way to go. I personally own an xb12s, and it's been an amazing bike. I couldn't imagine a sportster, with basically the same engine, how awesome it would be. I'm just surprised, that a buell to sportster conversions, isn't more often mentioned, as apposed to the pricey stage 3 and 4 kits readily and, and those kits do not improve the bottom end, for about the same money, you get a better bottom end, better oil pump, and a potential 100 hp, with durability, revs to 7k without complaining, ( I didn't factor in the cost of the fuel system, throttle body, ecu etc ) but even with that cost, you still end up with a better engine. And the cost is reasonable. I'm guessing about 2500, for everything, as long as you did the work your self ( minus shop labor to mod the case) please tell me if I'm wrong, I encourage comments. I've done alot of research on this. The best way to make 100hp sporty, is to use a sourced buell engine.

[@HAMMERPERFORMANCE]

Through 2007, Buell and Sportster oil pumps of the same model year are identical, except for the fittings on the XB's are different. Literally every upgrade HD made to the pumps from 1998 to 2007 was applied equally to both the Buell and the Sportster platform. In 2008, the oil pump design was changed for the Buells, integrating it into the cam box cover cover and driving it off the cams, and the XR1200 got essentially the same design, but it's not retrofittable to an XL, it's a whole different deal. That cover won't bolt onto the XL case and likewise the cams that drive the oil pump won't fit and work in an XL motor. As far as the cranks go, there's nothing about a Buell crank through 2007 that's more durable than a Sportster crank of the same year. It's slightly lighter, but both use the same size crank pin (1.25 inch), the same connecting rods, the same pinion shaft, and the same size sprocket shaft. In 2008, the Buells did get a much improved crankshaft, as did the XR 1200 (literally the same part number), and assuming you also get the matching front primary sprocket/alternator rotor assembly, these bolt right into the 2004+ XL and make a nice upgrade. No machine work is needed for this swap. This new improved crank can also be retrofitted to a 91-03 XL with a special service and parts we offer, and far as I know, nobody else offers this. It's not a simple process to retrofit it, we developed a lot of stuff to be able to do it, and other shops send them to us to be done. The cams do not interchange between the XB and XL motor. Some people will argue that it can be done by figuring out where the marks should be, but the cam timing doesn't come out right when you do that (we've measured it). Also if you need the timing cup, the XB cams do not have the notch in the right place for the XL timing cup. The 2003-2007 XB cams are available already configured for the XL platform, however, in the form of SE cams (specifically the .551 lift SE cams). That's a much better way to use those cams in a Sportster. They're not a great set of cams anyway. All 2004 XL1200's already have heads that are functionally identical to XB heads. They differ cosmetically, but they literally have the same ports, chambers, valves, springs, retainers, etc, the exact same part numbers in fact for the hardware. XB heads won't fit on 2007+ Sportsters, though, the gap between the manifold mating surfaces is wrong for the Sportster's throttle body. And the Buell throttle body won't fit the Sportster application, it's not compatible with the Delphi ECM, and the gas tank is in the way. Also keep in mind that despite the 103hp claim for the Buell XB12, they dyno at about 90hp, we've dyno tested bunches of them. The 103hp is a crank figure, without the drivetrain losses. Bottom line here is that's it's not that cut and dried. The interchangeability that's possible between the two platforms, and the usefulness of the interchangeability, depends heavily on the specific years and models. A person better understand all the specifics of what he's trying to bring over from the XB to the XL to know first off if it's possible and second if it's actually an improvement. There are a lot of details. And to the extent you can bring parts over, they may not do as much as you might think.

[@casrozema9163]

Almost got iron 883 likes

[@tileguy5555]

science

[@malikmuhleek8834]

Show this to people, let Harley Davidson live without the wire

[@300zxdriver]

Trade your 883 in a on a 1200. Done ✅

[@wp7984]

The benefit of swapping the head/boreing it is the gear ratio of the 883 tranny is different than the 1200 so you end up getting more torque than a stock 1200.

[@1965l88]

But then there's the look on the face of the 1200 rider who just got their tail waxed by what they thought was a stock Iron 883...

[@ahmetklnc8608]

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