Transmission Pulley

Hi Everybody have not posted in a while been busy.Now that i have this 883 to 1250 conversion and been enjoying it i decided that i would like to put the 1200 29 tooth trans pulley on. I have one question the 1200 sportsters in 2006 used a 1 tooth longer belt with the 29 tooth pulley.looking at the swing arm rear axle adjuster it appears that i have enough adjustment that i do not have to swap the belt. Does anybody know if this is so or am i going to have to go to the longer belt?
Tim

I do not know why the '06 models use a slightly longer belt for the 29-tooth pulley & '03-back to '91 Sportsters don't. There were a lot of changes in '04-up models, but I see no reason why you'd have to change the belt just to go to a 29 front sprocket. Both my bikes started out as 883 Standards, came with a 27 front & I can put a 29 or even a 30 on without changing the belt. Remember the change will throw your speedometer off, but you can get the sensor to make it work right with a 29.

Now if I'm not mistaken, '04-up 883's come with a 28 front, so the change to a 29 doesn't make much sense - even going from a 27 to a 29 the rpm difference @ 65 mph is only about 375. The SpeedCalc website is not working now or I could be more specific, but the 29 doesn't drop highway rpms much & it cuts into accelleration more. If you're on the interstate all the time you may want to go up & even to a 30, but around town you'll find yourself slipping the clutch more & you'll notice a loss of acceleration from lower speeds.

Thanks for the info Art, I do a mixed bag of highway and city and the acceleration right now is great. Just thought i could cut off a couple of rpms at highway speed. Here is something else the transmission ratios are different for the 883 vs the 1200 in 06 according to the book. i am at work right now so i do not have them handy, but if your interested i can post them later when i am at home.If you have the web address for the speedcalc web site i would be interested in it.
Thanks Tim

Yes, the trans ratios are different 883/1200 as of 2004 (except 5th) - prior to '04 they were the same. The SpeedCalc website is: SpeedCalc

I almost never ride the interstate, but I did run a stretch earlier today & with the 883 gearing on my '95, no problem @ 75 mph. The bike will run 100 mph in 4th gear, fastest I've been is 117 mph & it will go faster, but I'm an "old fart" & don't ride for the speed records. The 883>995 bike pictured below ran 146.976 mph with a 30-tooth front sprocket, but I rather doubt you'll be doing that on the public highways The photo is of my friend Dale while changing carb jets on the "Hugger" Sportster - don't look that fast, does it ? Surprise !!

Thanks Art, I am one of those old farts at 52 not looking to set any speed records on the street or track either!

At 55, I still like to "whup up" on the big twins every now & then - you do too - admit it :roflmao: For the track I just like to think this old brain still works. 180.025 mph with a "naked" Sportster says it might - not me riding, I'm just the engineer. And I can sure tell you that much of what works @ the track does not work on the street/road - especially giving up low-end torque for top-end HP. I'll glady give away top-end HP for a wider & smoother powerband on street/road bikes.

Your right, every once in a while it is nice to twist the throttle and light'er up. I will say one thing first Sportster for me and first big v twin there is nothing like it!