Harley Sportster Discussions
Hey Guys, I Just Purchased A 98 Harley Sportster, Hit The Start Button, Heard A Rather Loud Clank?
From the starter and now nothing!..when the start button is pushed there is complete silence..i was hoping someone could narrow the problem down to a) starter b) starter solenoid c) starter relay d) the devil?? (Read answers)
What Kind Of Motor Is In A 1976 Harley Sportster 1000?
I always hear about ironheads, knuckleheads, or panheads, but i don 't really know what they mean. what kind of motor is in a 1976 harley sportster 1000? (Read answers)
How Often Should I Replace Air Cleaner. 2000 Harley Sportster?
Its a year 2000. 883cc sportster with over 10,000 milesstarting to sputter before its completely warmed up..in other words all electrical shuts down when i give it gas during the beginning of my rides... it powers on again, the pistons and wheels are turning so fast.... (Read answers)
Can I Put An 18" Rim In The Rear Of A 1995 Harley Sportster 1200?
It currently has a 21 " rim in the front and a 16 " rim in the back. would putting an 18 " rim in the back be possible without messing anything up? if i do that, would i have to replace the one in the front with another size as well? (Read answers)
Harley Sportster Primary Is Hot?
I have a 99 1200 custom and i took it for a ride today and when i got back the derby cover was hot to the touch, not boil spit hot but unconftorable to touch, should this be hot? how hot should the gear oil be. i did just put a new tire on but the belt has slack like my manuel says it should. if i take it for a ride around town cruise about 25-45 for about 20 minutes how hot should the oil be,oh its not making any noises or pings starts great shifts smoothoil and transmission oil are all fresh and at the right level (Read answers)
From the starter and now nothing!..when the start button is pushed there is complete silence..i was hoping someone could narrow the problem down to a) starter b) starter solenoid c) starter relay d) the devil?? (Read answers)
What Kind Of Motor Is In A 1976 Harley Sportster 1000?
I always hear about ironheads, knuckleheads, or panheads, but i don 't really know what they mean. what kind of motor is in a 1976 harley sportster 1000? (Read answers)
How Often Should I Replace Air Cleaner. 2000 Harley Sportster?
Its a year 2000. 883cc sportster with over 10,000 milesstarting to sputter before its completely warmed up..in other words all electrical shuts down when i give it gas during the beginning of my rides... it powers on again, the pistons and wheels are turning so fast.... (Read answers)
Can I Put An 18" Rim In The Rear Of A 1995 Harley Sportster 1200?
It currently has a 21 " rim in the front and a 16 " rim in the back. would putting an 18 " rim in the back be possible without messing anything up? if i do that, would i have to replace the one in the front with another size as well? (Read answers)
Harley Sportster Primary Is Hot?
I have a 99 1200 custom and i took it for a ride today and when i got back the derby cover was hot to the touch, not boil spit hot but unconftorable to touch, should this be hot? how hot should the gear oil be. i did just put a new tire on but the belt has slack like my manuel says it should. if i take it for a ride around town cruise about 25-45 for about 20 minutes how hot should the oil be,oh its not making any noises or pings starts great shifts smoothoil and transmission oil are all fresh and at the right level (Read answers)
Harley Sportster 5 Speed Trap Door Swap?
Away from the states...for the above procedure is all i really need is a press and an extra set of hands or should i send unit to a shop in the states just to remove trap door from trans? (Read answers)
Customized A Harley Sportster Into A Sportbike?
I own a 2011 hd sportster and i like sportbikes like yamaha and suzuki but i love harley-davidson. i was wondering if anyone has seen a harely turned into a sportbike in any way or if it 's possible to do so. (Read answers)
Choices For Harley Sportster Backrest?
I recently bought a 2000 883 sportster. i plan to buy a backrest for my girlfriend but it 's difficult to picture what a particular backrest would look like on the bike. are there any catalogs or sites that have decent pics of the backrests installed? i want to keep the bike 's lines as clean as possible and i don 't need a luggage rack, but i want something nice for her. (Read answers)
What Is A Good Replacement Rear Tire For My Harley Sportster 1200?
I need of a good replacement rear tire 150-80-16, i would like to put a wider tire on there, any suggestions on how wide i can go and where would be a good place to order one? i do alot of 300-500 mile day trips. i average about 4,0000 miles per year. (Read answers)
86ci Ironhead Harley Sportster Oil?
Riding a 1977 xlcr 86ci ironhead with approx 30k miles and a set of s &s pistons which are no longer available.my question is what type of engine oil would you use to keep any wear to an absolute minimum.wiesco does make outdated pistons but you have to put a minimum order of i believe four pistons.rather pricey! (Read answers)
I Have A 1991 Harley Sportster. What Would Cause Oil To Blow Out The Trans Vent Line Under Seat?
1991 harley sportster 883. under the seat is a trans vent line. when i ride the bike hard, or go on long trips, oil spits out the vent line. i have tried pinching it off, using a one way valve, and just riding with the vent open. i want to run the bike right, and without the mess anyone know what would cause this, and how to fix it?forgot to mention, the bike is an 883, with a 1200 conversion kit. actually bought the bike with line pinched, but didn 't realize it til i removed the seat to put a different one on, and saw the zip-tie around it. head gaskets were bad, so they were changed last week. thought this would fix the problem.(nope)i see alot of answers are for a motor problem. this is the transmission vent line, tho. emptied out the trans, and refilled to specs. still does it. emptied it again, and refilled slightly below specs.again, still does it. happens at higher rpms, and consistant highway speeds. (Read answers)
1980 Harley Sportster Won't Start After We Rode It In The Rain. Any Suggestions As To What Could Be Wrong?
We rode it home just fine put it in the garage and the next day nothing but click click. we bought a new battery ....nothin then we bought new plugs still nothin. help! (Read answers)
Is It Possible To Install Sportbike Handlebars On A Harley Sportster?
I love the sound of the harley, but i like the leaning forward of a sportbike. i know there are buells, but i would like to make my bike unique (Read answers)
Help I Need To Make Some Changes To My Harley Sportster For Better Handling?
I am a 42 year old woman that just bought her first harley (1200 sportster) about a month ago. i 'm having trouble making u turns. unfortunately i even dropped the bike a few days ago. no harm thanks to my crash bar. anyway, i 'm trying to figure out what would be my best option to improve my ability to handle sharp turns...lowering the seat, lowering the bike (front and back or just one), different handlebars (to bring my hands closer to my body) currently i have stock bars. any suggestions would be appreciated. thanksi would just like to add that this is not my first bike and i 'm not new to riding. i can get my feet flat on the ground and i 'm in good physical condition.the sportster is a bit top heavy in my opinion and does not turn as easily as other bikes i 've had all of which were a bit lower "slung " than the harley that 's why i wondered if lowering would be an option. (Read answers)
96 Harley Sportster Won't Start.?
My bike wouldn 't start. i took the battery out and hooked a jump box up to it and it started and idled. so i charged the battery and took it to harley and they put it on their machine, they said it was good. i put it back in the bike it started and idled for about 2 min. then died. i then bought a new battery charged it put it in and it started and died. ive put new plugs and checked the gas in on and has gas. any suggestions. (Read answers)
1999 Harley Sportster Leaking Gas?
Ok so my brother just got a 99 ' harley sportster. the guy that sold it to him says you should always turn off the gas switch(im not sure what it 's called) when you turn the bike off. i am a noob when it comes to bike mechanics. i 've only been riding a year on a sports bike so idk what the deal is with harleys. the gasoline leaks from the hose that points down to the ground. i believe it comes from the carburetor but im not sure. so is it normal for a bike to leak after you turn it off if you don 't switch off the gas? (Read answers)
What Is The Correct Spark Plug Gap For A 2006 Harley Sportster 1200?
(Read answers)
Help With A 2011 Harley Sportster Iron 883?
Hey yall, just looking for some friendly advice here. i found a 2011 iron 883 with 1,200 miles on it at a harley dealership and they are asking roughly 9,000 for it out the door. the bike is retired from their rental fleet and it come with some extras such as passenger seat, sissy bar, rack, and a security system. this would be my second bike coming from a 82 honda cb650 and i just want to know 1. if its worth the money 2. how is it on the freeway (long distances) "i heard at highway speeds are extremely bumpy "3. will i be disappointed with the power of the 883 compared to the 1200 or does the 883 still got balls4. how well will it hold its valueor anything else that you think would be helpfuli keep on bouncing around the idea that i can get a gsxr in really nice condition for half of what i am paying for the harley. but then again i don 't want to kill myself either.don 't mean to be really nit picky about everything but i just cant make up my mind. thanks!thanks everyone for your input, this was extremely helpful. i have until tomorrow to make up my mind and thanks to you guys i can see that the 883 is not the right choice for me. (Read answers)
Im Buying A 1987 Harley Sportster?
Im looking at a 1987 harley sportster it was upgraded to a 1200 he says the clutch slips a little bit if your going up on a hill im thinking it just needs to be adjusted but if it needs a clutch i could do that my self but he says its ride able and then he said when its in n its kicks out but if you hold it with your foot it stays in n he said it could be a bent arm ? or the cluth needs adjusting but my ? is he wants $1800 the biks starts up and rides fine it has duel tank on it and drag bars ,,is it worth it should i buy this harley??well i did my own research and found this in a forum .... { while the shifting eased up a bit, i still had the problem, and also noticed some clutch slippage at the top rpm when i really wound it through the gears. then i rememberd a post saying that the primary fluid -- unlike what the owner 's manual says -- should just be to the bottom of the clutch.with the bike on the jiffy stand, i removed the inspection cover and let the excess primary oil drain out. when i did put the bike vertical, i noticed this gave me the exact level at the bottom of the clutch as the post had recommended.i closed the cover and tightened everything back up and eureka! it 's shifting better than ever. like butter. neutral no problem.}me again the guy that owns the bike said he put all new fluids in the bike i am thinking this is the problem he over fill it. thanks anyway everybody i 'm going to buy it. sometimes it pays to do your own reseach i geuss (Read answers)
1989 Harley Sportster 1200 Engine Won't Turn Over With Spark Plugs In. Spins Freely W/o Plugs.?
Bike sat for a year or two before i bought it. engine seemed frozen. i sprayed wd-40 in cylinders and it spins freely and displaces a lot of air. when i install plugs, it will barely turn over, if at all.compression test is impossible.could it be that the hydraulic lifters are dry and not moving valves for intake and exhaust.when i put one finger over a spark plug hole, it seems to want to suck as much as blow.and it does not displace much air.any good guesses? major or minor problem?i 'm working with jumper cables on a very good marine battery. the cables heat up, as does starter. starter may be weak. or not. jumpers are never the best way. but these are pretty good.the latest is that if i put a plug in the rear cylinder, it will turn over and show compression.if i put a plug in the front cylinder, the compression will stop it from turning over. after a few clicks, it will pass that cylinder and the next, then stop again.the "sucking " phenomenon has stopped. and compression stroke feels much more normal.i 'll get a manual asap. and a new harley battery. and a compression gauge.all evidence shows the bike went unriden, then wouldn 't start. or wouldn 't start and went unriden.female former owner donated it to charity. no sign of incompetent mechanic. only neglect. (Read answers)
Is There Anywhere I Can Get A 2004 Harley Sportster 883 Kick Start?
I can only find kick starts for 91-03. i need one for 04 harley sportster (Read answers)
Would A 1991 Harley Sportster 1200 Make A Good First Bike?
Here is the deal: original owner, 38,265 miles, daily driver, runs great, black, new battery, s &s carb, progressive shocks, waterproof cover, 3 helmets (2 shortys, 1 full face), lots of extra parts (foot pegs, mirror, etc..). it 's been sitting covered for last two years since our son was born so it 's yours for the lowest price on craigslist. $2750 or best offer.as far as my experience goes i passed msf twice flying colors about two years ago. im 6ft and weigh around 155 lbs. advice? (Read answers)
Why Did My Foot Shifter Rattle When I Pushed Down On It While Riding (harley Sportster)?
I was down shifting and then when i pushed down after already in first it had a feeling as if it was scraping against the pavement while accelerating (only felt).. why did this happen? is it normal? should i be worried something is defective? (Read answers)
Away from the states...for the above procedure is all i really need is a press and an extra set of hands or should i send unit to a shop in the states just to remove trap door from trans? (Read answers)
Customized A Harley Sportster Into A Sportbike?
I own a 2011 hd sportster and i like sportbikes like yamaha and suzuki but i love harley-davidson. i was wondering if anyone has seen a harely turned into a sportbike in any way or if it 's possible to do so. (Read answers)
Choices For Harley Sportster Backrest?
I recently bought a 2000 883 sportster. i plan to buy a backrest for my girlfriend but it 's difficult to picture what a particular backrest would look like on the bike. are there any catalogs or sites that have decent pics of the backrests installed? i want to keep the bike 's lines as clean as possible and i don 't need a luggage rack, but i want something nice for her. (Read answers)
What Is A Good Replacement Rear Tire For My Harley Sportster 1200?
I need of a good replacement rear tire 150-80-16, i would like to put a wider tire on there, any suggestions on how wide i can go and where would be a good place to order one? i do alot of 300-500 mile day trips. i average about 4,0000 miles per year. (Read answers)
86ci Ironhead Harley Sportster Oil?
Riding a 1977 xlcr 86ci ironhead with approx 30k miles and a set of s &s pistons which are no longer available.my question is what type of engine oil would you use to keep any wear to an absolute minimum.wiesco does make outdated pistons but you have to put a minimum order of i believe four pistons.rather pricey! (Read answers)
I Have A 1991 Harley Sportster. What Would Cause Oil To Blow Out The Trans Vent Line Under Seat?
1991 harley sportster 883. under the seat is a trans vent line. when i ride the bike hard, or go on long trips, oil spits out the vent line. i have tried pinching it off, using a one way valve, and just riding with the vent open. i want to run the bike right, and without the mess anyone know what would cause this, and how to fix it?forgot to mention, the bike is an 883, with a 1200 conversion kit. actually bought the bike with line pinched, but didn 't realize it til i removed the seat to put a different one on, and saw the zip-tie around it. head gaskets were bad, so they were changed last week. thought this would fix the problem.(nope)i see alot of answers are for a motor problem. this is the transmission vent line, tho. emptied out the trans, and refilled to specs. still does it. emptied it again, and refilled slightly below specs.again, still does it. happens at higher rpms, and consistant highway speeds. (Read answers)
1980 Harley Sportster Won't Start After We Rode It In The Rain. Any Suggestions As To What Could Be Wrong?
We rode it home just fine put it in the garage and the next day nothing but click click. we bought a new battery ....nothin then we bought new plugs still nothin. help! (Read answers)
Is It Possible To Install Sportbike Handlebars On A Harley Sportster?
I love the sound of the harley, but i like the leaning forward of a sportbike. i know there are buells, but i would like to make my bike unique (Read answers)
Help I Need To Make Some Changes To My Harley Sportster For Better Handling?
I am a 42 year old woman that just bought her first harley (1200 sportster) about a month ago. i 'm having trouble making u turns. unfortunately i even dropped the bike a few days ago. no harm thanks to my crash bar. anyway, i 'm trying to figure out what would be my best option to improve my ability to handle sharp turns...lowering the seat, lowering the bike (front and back or just one), different handlebars (to bring my hands closer to my body) currently i have stock bars. any suggestions would be appreciated. thanksi would just like to add that this is not my first bike and i 'm not new to riding. i can get my feet flat on the ground and i 'm in good physical condition.the sportster is a bit top heavy in my opinion and does not turn as easily as other bikes i 've had all of which were a bit lower "slung " than the harley that 's why i wondered if lowering would be an option. (Read answers)
96 Harley Sportster Won't Start.?
My bike wouldn 't start. i took the battery out and hooked a jump box up to it and it started and idled. so i charged the battery and took it to harley and they put it on their machine, they said it was good. i put it back in the bike it started and idled for about 2 min. then died. i then bought a new battery charged it put it in and it started and died. ive put new plugs and checked the gas in on and has gas. any suggestions. (Read answers)
1999 Harley Sportster Leaking Gas?
Ok so my brother just got a 99 ' harley sportster. the guy that sold it to him says you should always turn off the gas switch(im not sure what it 's called) when you turn the bike off. i am a noob when it comes to bike mechanics. i 've only been riding a year on a sports bike so idk what the deal is with harleys. the gasoline leaks from the hose that points down to the ground. i believe it comes from the carburetor but im not sure. so is it normal for a bike to leak after you turn it off if you don 't switch off the gas? (Read answers)
What Is The Correct Spark Plug Gap For A 2006 Harley Sportster 1200?
(Read answers)
Help With A 2011 Harley Sportster Iron 883?
Hey yall, just looking for some friendly advice here. i found a 2011 iron 883 with 1,200 miles on it at a harley dealership and they are asking roughly 9,000 for it out the door. the bike is retired from their rental fleet and it come with some extras such as passenger seat, sissy bar, rack, and a security system. this would be my second bike coming from a 82 honda cb650 and i just want to know 1. if its worth the money 2. how is it on the freeway (long distances) "i heard at highway speeds are extremely bumpy "3. will i be disappointed with the power of the 883 compared to the 1200 or does the 883 still got balls4. how well will it hold its valueor anything else that you think would be helpfuli keep on bouncing around the idea that i can get a gsxr in really nice condition for half of what i am paying for the harley. but then again i don 't want to kill myself either.don 't mean to be really nit picky about everything but i just cant make up my mind. thanks!thanks everyone for your input, this was extremely helpful. i have until tomorrow to make up my mind and thanks to you guys i can see that the 883 is not the right choice for me. (Read answers)
Im Buying A 1987 Harley Sportster?
Im looking at a 1987 harley sportster it was upgraded to a 1200 he says the clutch slips a little bit if your going up on a hill im thinking it just needs to be adjusted but if it needs a clutch i could do that my self but he says its ride able and then he said when its in n its kicks out but if you hold it with your foot it stays in n he said it could be a bent arm ? or the cluth needs adjusting but my ? is he wants $1800 the biks starts up and rides fine it has duel tank on it and drag bars ,,is it worth it should i buy this harley??well i did my own research and found this in a forum .... { while the shifting eased up a bit, i still had the problem, and also noticed some clutch slippage at the top rpm when i really wound it through the gears. then i rememberd a post saying that the primary fluid -- unlike what the owner 's manual says -- should just be to the bottom of the clutch.with the bike on the jiffy stand, i removed the inspection cover and let the excess primary oil drain out. when i did put the bike vertical, i noticed this gave me the exact level at the bottom of the clutch as the post had recommended.i closed the cover and tightened everything back up and eureka! it 's shifting better than ever. like butter. neutral no problem.}me again the guy that owns the bike said he put all new fluids in the bike i am thinking this is the problem he over fill it. thanks anyway everybody i 'm going to buy it. sometimes it pays to do your own reseach i geuss (Read answers)
1989 Harley Sportster 1200 Engine Won't Turn Over With Spark Plugs In. Spins Freely W/o Plugs.?
Bike sat for a year or two before i bought it. engine seemed frozen. i sprayed wd-40 in cylinders and it spins freely and displaces a lot of air. when i install plugs, it will barely turn over, if at all.compression test is impossible.could it be that the hydraulic lifters are dry and not moving valves for intake and exhaust.when i put one finger over a spark plug hole, it seems to want to suck as much as blow.and it does not displace much air.any good guesses? major or minor problem?i 'm working with jumper cables on a very good marine battery. the cables heat up, as does starter. starter may be weak. or not. jumpers are never the best way. but these are pretty good.the latest is that if i put a plug in the rear cylinder, it will turn over and show compression.if i put a plug in the front cylinder, the compression will stop it from turning over. after a few clicks, it will pass that cylinder and the next, then stop again.the "sucking " phenomenon has stopped. and compression stroke feels much more normal.i 'll get a manual asap. and a new harley battery. and a compression gauge.all evidence shows the bike went unriden, then wouldn 't start. or wouldn 't start and went unriden.female former owner donated it to charity. no sign of incompetent mechanic. only neglect. (Read answers)
Is There Anywhere I Can Get A 2004 Harley Sportster 883 Kick Start?
I can only find kick starts for 91-03. i need one for 04 harley sportster (Read answers)
Would A 1991 Harley Sportster 1200 Make A Good First Bike?
Here is the deal: original owner, 38,265 miles, daily driver, runs great, black, new battery, s &s carb, progressive shocks, waterproof cover, 3 helmets (2 shortys, 1 full face), lots of extra parts (foot pegs, mirror, etc..). it 's been sitting covered for last two years since our son was born so it 's yours for the lowest price on craigslist. $2750 or best offer.as far as my experience goes i passed msf twice flying colors about two years ago. im 6ft and weigh around 155 lbs. advice? (Read answers)
Why Did My Foot Shifter Rattle When I Pushed Down On It While Riding (harley Sportster)?
I was down shifting and then when i pushed down after already in first it had a feeling as if it was scraping against the pavement while accelerating (only felt).. why did this happen? is it normal? should i be worried something is defective? (Read answers)
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