What makes an ironhead Sportster engine so hot?
The cylinders and heads are cast iron and the pushrods are aluminium. The pushrod will expand more than the cylinder when hot and it is possible to adjust them too tightly. When this happens the engine will be hard to start hot and you stand the chance of burning a valve from an adjustment that is too tight and holding the valve (s) open.
How often should you change the oil on an ironhead Sportster?
Warm oil does it’s job much better than cold oil. Also the oil should get hot enough to evaporate any condensation (water) that accumulates from temperature swings. Many early Sportsters didn’t come with an oil filter. If your bike doesn’t have an oil filter you have best be changing that oil every 1500 miles religiously.
What kind of Kick Starter does ironhead Sportster use?
Kick Starter. Sportster kick starters are known for bustin’ knee caps. That is a fact, Jack. 1971 and up have a better set of kick ratchets then the earlier 900cc models. They have a gear with a bushing and the bushing should be inspected if the kicker has a tendency to slip through, as that bushing wears.
What happens to the oil in an Ironhead bike?
When you crank or start the engine oil is then forced out the breather. As long as it stops after a minute or two you are probably OK. The longer the bike sits between starts the more oil there will be.
The cylinders and heads are cast iron and the pushrods are aluminium. The pushrod will expand more than the cylinder when hot and it is possible to adjust them too tightly. When this happens the engine will be hard to start hot and you stand the chance of burning a valve from an adjustment that is too tight and holding the valve (s) open.
Kick Starter. Sportster kick starters are known for bustin’ knee caps. That is a fact, Jack. 1971 and up have a better set of kick ratchets then the earlier 900cc models. They have a gear with a bushing and the bushing should be inspected if the kicker has a tendency to slip through, as that bushing wears.
Do you have to take care of Ironhead Sportsters?
Theoretically you should have a good one if everything in the engine is within specification and you take good care of it. FUN FACT: Most cheap Ironhead Sportsters for sale are money pits that have been used and abused and are in need of much attention.
What kind of oil for ironhead Sportster 20w50?
If you live and ride in the cold weather like 40 degrees and less, 20w50 will work just fine. Winter Riding Tip: run about 1/2 to a quart low, so that the oil warms up faster. If you use your bike to go across town, or real short trips, a quart low is good.
How big are the intake valves on a Sportster velocity?
The combustion chamber is cross buffed, and the gasket surface machined for optimal combustion chamber volume. We then assemble heads with 1.720” intake valves, 1.480″ exhaust valves and .650 max lift springs. The heads are shipped ready to install.
Which is the best factory head for a Sportster?
These are ultra-rare Sportster heads and they were the best factory head ever made for a Sportster until the Thunderstorm head came out in 1998. They have very large valves and a pear-shaped chamber with flat squish bands on each side.
Theoretically you should have a good one if everything in the engine is within specification and you take good care of it. FUN FACT: Most cheap Ironhead Sportsters for sale are money pits that have been used and abused and are in need of much attention.
When did the cast iron cylinder heads come out on the Sportster?
The new overhead-valve motor, fitting neatly under the gas tank, sported twin cylinder jugs sitting 45 degrees apart, topped off with a pair of cast-iron cylinder heads. It wasn’t until the Evolution Sportsters came out in 1986 that the older models were referred to as “Ironheads”. Until the 1967 XLH, all Sportsters were kickstart only.
What should I do about my 1974 Harley ironhead Sportster?
MOST RECENT WORK DONE (WITHIN THE PAST YEAR) HAS BEEN CLEAN AND REBUILD CARBURETOR, CLEAN AND REBUILD MAGNETO INCLUDING NEW BATTERY,CAP AND MOST INTERNALS, NEW TIRES & TUBES AND FRESH FLUIDS..THIS BIKE RUNS WELL BUT WILL STILL NEED A FEW THINGS. IT HAS A TIN OUTER PRIMARY THAT LEAKS (SHOCKER), NEW GASKET SHOULD HELP.
The combustion chamber is cross buffed, and the gasket surface machined for optimal combustion chamber volume. We then assemble heads with 1.720” intake valves, 1.480″ exhaust valves and .650 max lift springs. The heads are shipped ready to install.
What kind of oil does an ironhead Sportster use?
If your going to work every day and it’s between 30 and 60 miles one way a 1/2 quart is good. Warm oil does it’s job much better than cold oil. Also the oil should get hot enough to evaporate any condensation (water) that accumulates from temperature swings. Many early Sportsters didn’t come with an oil filter.
When does idle come back to normal on a Harley Davidson?
Just seems to happen when I’ve been running at a fairly wide open throttle maintaining higher speeds for a while (fwy) or longer stints (catching all green lights) on the streets at a speed of about 45 or more. It always seems to come back to a normal idle after getting back into first gear when stopped, or when I start going again in 1st.
How much slack should an ironhead Sportster have?
DO NOT NEGLECT THE PRIMARY AND TRANSMISSION SERVICE. It does not use much oil and it should be changed regularly. Keep the Primary Chain properly adjusted. With engine COLD it should have 5/8″ to 7/8″ slack and HOT 3/8″ to 5/8″.
Is the ironhead Sportster a Harley Davidson bike?
The Ironhead Sportster has enjoyed a bit of a come back in popularity as it is a pretty unique bike, although fickle at times if you don’t know how to maintain one. Believe me, if you are riding one a lot, they need attention. That’s how I ended up becoming a Harley mechanic.
What should idle speed be on Harley Davidson Sportster?
Evo Motors should idle at a minimum of 700 rpm and Twin Cams at 900 rpm—they sound great idling at lower revs than this, but it can cause premature wear on your valve train. This article does NOT cover idle mixture—that is something else—we are just looking at simple idle speed adjustment here.
Warm oil does it’s job much better than cold oil. Also the oil should get hot enough to evaporate any condensation (water) that accumulates from temperature swings. Many early Sportsters didn’t come with an oil filter. If your bike doesn’t have an oil filter you have best be changing that oil every 1500 miles religiously.
Just seems to happen when I’ve been running at a fairly wide open throttle maintaining higher speeds for a while (fwy) or longer stints (catching all green lights) on the streets at a speed of about 45 or more. It always seems to come back to a normal idle after getting back into first gear when stopped, or when I start going again in 1st.
How often should an Ironhead kick starter be replaced?
Intake leaks can cause things like poor running and even put a hole in a piston from lean running condition. 1978 and later Ironheads with the “rubber band” type intake manifold and heads, should have the intake seals replaced once a year. These are notorious for cracking and leaking. Kick Starter.
If you live and ride in the cold weather like 40 degrees and less, 20w50 will work just fine. Winter Riding Tip: run about 1/2 to a quart low, so that the oil warms up faster. If you use your bike to go across town, or real short trips, a quart low is good.
When did the XL ironhead Sportster come out?
From 1957 through 1985, the XL Ironhead Sportsers were made in an 883 cc and a 1,000 cc displacement. The name comes from the cast iron heads used for the overhead valve engine and they used the K series frame. The XLCH ironhead was made from 1958 through 1971 in the 883 cc version as a sportier version of the XL Ironhead.
How many miles does a 1975 ironhead Sportster have?
1975 Harley Sportster 1000 XL ironhead with clean title, 23,873 miles matching Frame and motor numbers 3A41217H5 in fairly nice shape just needs some bringing back to life.
What kind of wheels did a 1978 Harley Davidson Sportster have?
This was a very special year and in celebration of the event, the 1978 Harley Davidson XL-1000 Sportster was released for sale. The model was designed with some new features which included jet black paint with gold tinted cast wheels, gold striping accents and dual front disc brakes.