Hi All,

I have just joined your forum membership and hope to learn a lot from you existing and experienced Harley Davidson riders.

I had a Yamaha Virago for a while but always wanted to own a HD. So I got my chance several months ago to acquire my own, which I did. So relatively speaking I am a new but proud owner of a HD motorbike now.

However I have a slight problem and was hoping someone out there could help shed some light on a problem by providing some information.

I purchased a Custom Sportster 2005 model through a private sale from the 2nd owner of the bike. He has assured me that the bike is a 1200 and not the 883. I have no reason to disbelieve him. He appeared as an honest and forthright person to me.

I took the bike down to the motorbike workshop where I normally get my bikes serviced and maintained. The workshop owner is a very experienced motorbike mechanic and has worked on Harley Davidson's for many years. After riding and testing the bike he has also assured me and confirmed that the motorbike I have purchased is definitely a 1200 and not the 883.

Here is my dilemma though. The registration papers state the bike is still an 883. Now the previous owner could only provide me with the bike rego papers and owners manual. He has no other documents. So there is no documentary evidence to support what he or my experienced mechanic is saying about the bike being in fact a 1200.

The previous owner ie. the 2nd owner could only say that when the 1st owner of the bike had purchased the bike new from the HD dealership he had them alter the bike to a custom 1200. So it was changed not by the HD factory but by the dealership in Australia to a 1200 prior to the bike sale to the first owner.

My problem is I don't know who the dealership is and how to acquire the documentary evidence prove it's a 1200. Obviously I need this before I can go to the RTA and get the rego papers amended. I would like to do this as the engine size will have an impact on the comprehensive insurance and CTP green slip insurance. Also when the time comes for me to upgrade to another HD I will obviously need to sell my current bike and will face the same problems in convincing the prospectvie buyer of my current bike being in fact a 1200.

Does anyone know of a way I can get this information to formally identify my bike as being a 1200 aside from just taking peoples word for it.

Thank you so much in advance.

regards,

Cossack

The VIN Number is will tell you if it is a Factory 1200C. The other way if it has a Stainless Steel Panel on the Top of the Tank, only the 1200C had this and a 1200C has a Sloted Rear Wheel. 883C dont have the Panel and have a Solid Rear Wheel.

Hi walka,

Unfortunately the vin number doesn't help. It still indicates that its a 883 because the customisation changes were not done at the factory but by the dealership that sold the motor bike brand new to its first owner. It was originally an 883 but before purchase the 1st owner got the dealership to customise it including changing it to a 1200.

Hi Steamer,

Thanks for the input. Yes the way I understand it is that it had the 1200 upgrade right from the word go from the dealer. My custom sporty has a smooth, chrome laced spoke rim but only on the front. the rear is a solid disk rear wheel.

I also think like you that it was originally an 883 that has received a 1200 upgrade and customisation. However I am looking for a way to find documentary proof that will back up this fact other than just my word for it. You see for comprehensive insurance purposes, for RTA green slip insurance purposes, and for when the time comes for me to sell it to prove this to the next owner.

thank you.

If it has a upgrade the only way is to pull the Engine apart.

Steamer,

Ok, thanks for that, I appreciate it.

welcome to the forum mate.

Welcome Cossack hope you enjoy the forums and to your problem where are you from and how many dealerships do you have.The only thing i can say get the vin no and ring the dealerships and see if they can check there records to see if the did the work or not.

Hi guys,

Thank you to all for your welcoming warm wishes to the forum and for your assistance and help, I appreciate it.

To Etch just want to say I'm in Sydney and there are a few dealerships here so I think I am going to have to bite the bullet and ring around and track down the dealership that did the work and hopefully I can get documentation of some sort that supports the fact my bike is a 1200.

regards,
Cossack

Hey Cossak, enjoy the bike now brother, if they think it's not a 1200, the rego should be cheaper so have fun and worry about the rest when the time comes....you bought it

Hey jacks,

I like the way you think!

That's so true what you say, and you know what, that's exactly what I am going to do.

I am going to just enjoy riding what I have come what may. I like the bike, I know its a 1200 sportster and I don't care what they think it is. Plus as you say I can get some financial benefits out of it if they think its a 883.

Thanks mate.

Howdy and welcome

 welcome

If it's a 2005 model you can easily tell whether it's a factory 883 or 1200 by the engine, i.e the factory 1200's came out with a black engine and chrome covers whereas the 883's came out with a grey engine and polished covers.  If your bike has a grey engine but was sold as a 1200 like others say it's most likeley a converted 883/1200.  The person selling it should have sold it as an 883/1200 not a 1200 or at least told you it's been converted. 

I've done two conversions and I've never bothered to change the rego, like Walka said the only way they can really tell is by pulling the top end appart.

 

Have you got a picture of the right hand side, as the 883 looks completely different that the 1200, The 1200 has a much nicer look and a smooth finish to the lower engine case, where as the 883 ( even the custom 883) still has a rougher finish.

Yeh well i googled something for a mate and well

Just noticed how old this was, Sorry.