Hammer Performance 1250 Kit Install 

Chris Carbone thanks for the comment!

you want the 1275 hammer kit

SaddleTramp Thank you Tramp! She was an absolute blast while I had her. I wish I could have made a little more detailed video, but I was just starting out!!

Thanks!

Totally agree! Same clutch, it’s just that the factory pressure plate is less than desired, and the factory clutch has a “riveted grenade ring” that causes issues. An aftermarket clutch and pressure plate solves all that, and can handle the added power. Thank you for your comment!!

leonard pezza I actually picked up a bottle of Permatex Assembly Lube and coated everything internal during reassembly, except the area above the pistons in the cylinders.

Fat_Meets_Iron Thanks for watching! If you have any questions, hit me up on IG. It’s not a bad install, just follow the directions that come with the kit, as well as a service manual.

The wife's bike... Riiiiiight 😉

anarchist antichrist no problem! It is hands down the best mod I have done.

Wet BananaMoto yeah man, with everything I plan on doing it should bring it to about 90hp and be a beautiful powerful comfortable machine, I can't wait!

Wet BananaMoto and I won't even have a whole 6 grand in the bike

Chris G Thank you Sir!

Andrew Thrasher considering my Sporty is a 2010 model, I have way less in it with all the mods done than if I had purchased a new Sportster. The Iron 1200 should have been offered years ago! I only have about $6k (including bike purchase price) total in my scoot when it’s all said and done. Depending on the year as well as an individual’s budget, it’s a toss up on which would be the best route from a money aspect. It also helps if you LOVE to tinker!!😁😁 Thank You for your comment!

Pricing wise, I scoured EBay and other places to find the best deals but.... 1250 Basic Kit - $780 Clutch w/ 15% pressure plate - $140 Powervision - $200 $1500 isn’t bad, and if you are a member of the “XLFORUM.COM”, you receive a discount... just sayin...

Wade N My harness is actually ran internally through the backbone. It was a PITA to do, but well worth it. Thank you for commenting, and if you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

Wet _Banana wow.....through the backbone? Now thats awesome. Ive had an 883 and yeah,,,,its not much to write home about. My Nightster is better, but im a gearhead. If it dont spkn the wheel in first gear,,,,there's not enough power!!!

Wade N Agreed!

Wet Banana awesome video. I love the way you cleaned up the wires as you mentioned run them through backbone. Is there anyway you can described or show what and how you did this. Also dont mind me asking what type of bars you running and did you modify you light from stock? My 2008 light is not mount as you have shown on your bike.

Tommy Childress I will try and get a video up of all the mods that I have done, including the wiring through the backbone. The headlight is a Diamond Style bottom mount from Drag Specialties that I found on eBay. I had to drill my lower triple tree, then I used a slightly larger bit to countersink the stainless hex head bolt.

That is one heck of a kit for a Sporty. Power for days with reliability to boot! Thank you for your comment, and good luck with the build!!

mark they came out pretty easily, but my motor had 13k when I tore it down. I could see where a tool would be helpful, but I would make one before I bought one. Thank you for the question!

It all depends on whether is carbureted or FI. For the FI you will need a programmer of some sort, and you might think of getting a clutch as well. Just the 1250 kit was $800, plus whatever you may need to get the tuning right. If you call Hammer, they can walk you through whatever you may need!!! Thanks for the comment!!

I was tuning the ecm. With fuel injection you must load a base tune from Hammer before starting the bike after installing the kit. Thank you for your question and comment!!

Tom Campbell thank you for the comment. I am not affiliated with Hammer in any way, other than purchasing a kit from them. I just made this video for the install, since there wasn’t one on RU-vid at the time. From what research I did before purchase, as well as conversations with Aaron @ Hammer Performance, pistons used in their kits are matched to valves/compression needed to maintain proper clearance/detonation. That was my reasoning behind getting the basic kit. If I want to jump to a larger HP kit, it would contain the proper pistons based off the headwork required as well as new cylinders. It’s way less expensive to spend the money for the kit you want in the end, rather than having to purchase 2 kits. Basically, you wouldn’t want to install new pistons in used cylinders from a performance standpoint...

1250 kit for a bike running stock 883 heads will require the dished pistons. I just ourchased a kit from hammer. Because im going with newer 04 to 06 1200 heads they gave me flat tops pistins. In short the pistons for the 1250 kit with 883 heads wont work with better heads.

We Catch Fish agree with you 100%. Tom has 883 heads on his scoot so depending on what kit he wants to go with, it would be cheaper for him to have his 883 heads worked over, rather than spend the money for 1200 heads plus have them worked over. In the end both heads make the same power, after valve work and porting. 1200 heads flow better to a degree at first, but it all is relative to supporting mods and/or head work done. The difference in 883 heads is a couple horses less than if I were to buy 1200 heads. That would have run another $300-$500 for 2-3HP. I do appreciate your comment and thank you for the insight!!!👍👍

If you want to upgrade cams you can, but depending on the year, you won’t be gaining that much from them. The grind on the factory cams are actually pretty good. Your timing is controlled via the ECM, which is the reason for the Dynojet Powervision, also no need for injectors either. Hammer will set you up with all of the tunes that you need for a baseline, and then you follow their instructions on proper break in and tuning.

Brian Baker I used my 883 heads. With the hammer 1250 kit they install pistons that are specifically designed for the 883 heads. Hammer Performance actually has an excellent video on here (RU-vid) explaining the parts used in the kit. For the HP difference between the 883/1200 heads, IMO a couple HP isn’t worth the money. If you do purchase 1200 heads, keep the 883 heads because those will be needed/used for head work. My apologies for the late reply. Thank you for your question!

Oh ok that's awesome I'm gonna be ordering the kit but didnt wanna have to new heads. Greatly appreciate the info and awesome video. Ride safe man

Brian Baker 👍👍 You’re Welcome and same to you!

The 88-90ci kits put down some power, but for this build I just wanted a baseline of where a 1250 would get me. A 1250 kit is as reliable as they come, and have everyday street-ability to boot. Thank you for your comment/question!

Would love to know myself

If I’m not mistaken, the last year of the trap door style case was in 2003. When I did some research trying to find out, the company that offered it only went to 2003. I did the 1200 primary conversion, and that helped a ton. You can also buy the “International” front pulley which would help even that much more on the Interstate. Thanks for the comment!!!

I didn’t actually. Had I opted for head work, cams, etc; I would have taken the time to do so. Since it was a basic 1250 kit, I skipped that altogether. The piston offered in the kit I purchased was designed for 883 heads, so close was good enough for what I wanted. If I were to go all out on the motor, that step would most definitely be worth the effort. Also, if it had been an any other companies kit, I would have checked it regardless. That’s the beautiful thing about Hammer is that they have this stuff down to a science, so there’s a trust factor involved in that decision. Great question!!! 👍👍

David Elliott Thank you sir! Thanks for watchin’!

The stock 883 has between 39-42 hp generally, and the Hammer 1250 kit produces 76-80 hp. Those numbers of course all depend on tuning and supporting parts setup. Basically the Hammer 1250 kit doubles your hp from what an 883 produces. It completely changes the bike!!

Just changing the size of the cylinders head right?

Pistons, cylinders as well as supporting mods like air, fuel, and exhaust.

Ace Spades I just ordered the standard 1250 kit. I had previously installed the supporting mods, prior to the purchase of the kit. From the research I have done, with the supporting mods I have, will net between 78-82 hp. I went the least expensive route, as I would have to purchase new cylinders and pistons if I wanted to upgrade to a higher HP kit in the future.

Wet BananaMoto yeah I know what you mean I have to get new heads and pistons when going for the 100hp rout.

you dont need new heads, you send yours to hammer and they do whats called a competition valve job

david miller sort of... if he finds a set of xb/1200 heads for a good deal, then he would save some $$ for other upgrades. Otherwise he would definitely get way more power from his 883 heads that would need to be ported, polished, and competition valves installed. That was a great point David!!

Wet BananaMoto just asking your opinion..i am a gearhead.. anything mechanical o am drawn to, i take shit apart just to see what's up and reassemble... I've rebuilt snowmobiles, dirt bikes, chainsaws, tillers, trimmers, lawnmowers.... full set of tools... would you recommend trying to tackle a 1250 kit upgrade on a fuel injected 883 after watching videos, research and grabbing a service manual..... and apparently a friend of a friend can also help he's done a few of them

wally cleaver check around 12:12.

I changed the oil, heated the engine to operating temp, and checked oil level about 2 hours before I started tear down. I wanted to have new oil in there and somewhat primed during the initial startup. I did use generous amounts of assembly lube on the valve train. Directions for the kit tell you to wipe off all lube above the rings to prevent contamination of the new plugs during startup. Thank you for your question!