I found a Sportster engine for sale. What are the first things I should check or replace?

When starting with a used engine of unknown history, it's wise to at least perform a top-end refresh. This typically includes new gaskets, checking cylinder and piston tolerances, and inspecting the valve train. This gives you peace of mind and a reliable starting point.

What are the easiest ways to get more power from my stock Sportster engine?

The most common and effective "Stage 1" upgrades are improving airflow. This means installing a high-flow air cleaner and a less restrictive exhaust system. These two changes allow the engine to breathe more freely and will deliver a noticeable performance gain without ever opening up the motor itself.

I'm rebuilding my engine. How important is it to replace all the hardware?

While not always strictly necessary, it's highly recommended. Engine hardware is subject to countless heat cycles and stress, which can cause it to stretch and weaken over time. Using new, high-quality head bolts, case bolts, and other hardware ensures proper torque specs and a leak-free, reliable engine for years to come.

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Colony #2878-3 Starter Crank Pin Stud Kit 1936-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
2 reviews $6.05

Colony #2262-4 Pike Nut Headbolt Covers 1985-Up Harley-Davidson FL/FX/XL - Chrome Plated
$54.14

Colony #2183-16 Cylinder Head Studs 1929-1950 Harley-Davidson 45s Cast Iron Head - Parkerized
$60.91

Colony #2232-4 Headbolt Smooth Covers 1985-Up Harley-Davidson FL/FX/XL - Chrome Plated
1 review $52.14

Colony #2432-18 Head Bolt Tapered Washer Kit Harley-Davidson Flatheads With Aluminum Heads
$44.00

Colony #2385-1 Oversized 9/16-18 Thread Tap for Stripped Drain Hole 1965-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1967-Up Sportster
3 reviews $37.66

Colony #2228-16 Motor Mount Button Allen Kit 2000-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$33.84

Colony #2419-8 Cylinder Base Pike Nut Set 1978-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead - Chrome Plated
$29.73

Colony #2412-2 Crank Pin Nut Set 1954-E1981 Harley-Davidson 61"/80"
$29.00

Colony #2543-10 Circuit Breaker to Coil Wire Assembly 1949-1964 Harley-Davidson Twins
$24.20

Colony #2280-16 Rocker Cover 12 Point Screw Kit 1985-Up Harley-Davidson FL/FX 1986-Up XL - Chrome Plated
$23.01

Colony #2217-8 Motor Case Allen Screw Kit 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$23.01

Colony #2231-4 Tappet Anti-Rotation Allen Screw Kit 2000-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
5 reviews $20.31

Colony #2308-2 Rocker Arm Cover to Frame Bracket Stud Kit 1978-1985 Harley-Davidson XL/XLCH - Zinc Plated
2 reviews $20.31

#2365-16 Lifter Base Screw Kit Special Harley Big Twins 54-75 — Colony #2365-16 Lifter Base Screw Kit 1954-1975 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
$20.57

Colony #2259-8 Swingarm End Cover and Nut Kit 1993-2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$21.12

Colony #2185-4 Upper Bracket BoltAnd Lock Kit 1949-1984 Harley-Davidson FL 1958-1973 Servicar - CAD Plated
$19.36

Colony #2222-11 Cam Cover Allen Screw Kit 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$17.88

Colony #2410-1 Pivot Stud 1973-1978 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated
$16.70

Colony #2288-1 Sprocket Shaft Nut 1972-1985 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Parkerized
1 review $15.40

Colony #2374-1 Oil Pump Fitting 7/16-20 Thread Harley-Davidson - CAD Plated
$12.53

Colony #2287-1 Pinion Gear Shaft Nut 1954-1981 Harley-Davidson Sportster/KH - Parkerized
1 review $9.08

Colony #2286-1 Sprocket Shaft and Pinion Gear Shaft Nut 1936-E1981 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Parkerized
$9.08

Colony #2413-6 Crank Pin Nut Lock Plates 1954-1980 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$7.57

Colony #2293-1 Motor Sprocket Nut 1991-1992 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Zinc Plated
$7.15

Colony #2284-2 Tappet Oil Screen 2000-Up Harley-Davidson Softail
$5.95

Colony #2384-4 Pinion & Sprocket Shaft Lock Plates 1972-1980 Harley-Davidson Big Twins 1957-1980 XL
1 review $6.05

Colony #2219-2 Point Cover Button Head Torx Screws 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$4.38

Colony #9887-20 Upper Pushrod Cover Kit 1986-1990 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$50.08

Colony #9883-20 Motor Case Flanged Hardware Kit 1996-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twin Evo - Chrome Plated
$43.45

Colony #9926-17 Upper & Lower Motor Mounting Allen Kit 1970-1984 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Chrome Plated
$39.11

Colony #9884-20 Motor Case Flanged Hardware Kit 1996-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twin Evo - Zinc Plated
$39.11

Colony #9929-1 Flat Top Alemite Grease Fitting Adapter Harley-Davidson OEM# 0340
$92.69

Colony #2152-36 Cylinder Head Nut Kit 1929-1941 Harley-Davidson 45 W/Iron Head 1926-1932 Singles - Parkerized
$40.56

Colony #2140-40 Early Style Pushrod Cover Adaptor Kit 1990-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
1 review $155.00

Colony #2083-8 Cylinder Base Stud Set 1999-Up Harley-Davidson Twin Cam 88
$90.20

Colony #2116-15 Lower Front Hex Head Motor Mount Kit 2000-Up Harley-Davidson Softail - Chrome Plated
1 review $58.20

Colony #2020-8 Rocker Shaft End Plug 1957-1970 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - CAD Plated
$35.13

Colony #2160-1 Motor Oil Filler Plug Dipstick 2002-Up Harley-Davidson VRSC - Chrome Plated
$32.48

Colony #2018-8 Head Bolt Washers 1984-Early 1985 Harley-Davidson Big Twin/XL - CAD Plated
$28.97

Colony #2067-8 Motor Case Allen Kit 1957-1976 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$22.83

Colony #2119-2 Smooth Motor Mount Bolt Covers 2000-Up Harley-Davidson Softail - Chrome Plated
5 reviews $25.72

Colony #2074-6 Tappet Oil Screen/Pump Check Valve/Relief Valve Set 1981-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Chrome Plated
1 review $26.07

Colony #2015-6 Oversize Panhead Valve Cover Screws 1948-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead W/Steel D Rings - Chrome Plated
$21.73

Colony #2014-6 Oversize Panhead Valve Cover Screws 1948-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead W/Alloy D Rings - Chrome Plated
1 review $21.73

Colony #9879-31 Motor Case Fastener Kit 1977-1990 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated
2 reviews $18.76

Colony #2014-6 Oversize Panhead Valve Cover Screws 1948-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead W/Alloy D Rings - CAD Plated
$19.12

Colony #9937-20 Front Motor Mount Allen Kit 1991-Up Harley-Davidson Dyna - Chrome Plated
1 review $18.34

Colony #2169-15 Oil Pan Mounting Allen Screw Kit 2002-Up Harley-Davidson VRSC - Chrome Plated
$17.88

Colony #2061-8 Cam Cover Phillips Screw Kit 1971-1980 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$16.94

Colony #9973-4 1/2 inch Countersunk Washers - 4 pack - Chrome Plated
$15.94

Colony #2075-8 Allen Motor Case Bolt Kit 1991-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$16.38

Colony #9984-24 Valve Cover Washers 1954-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead - Chrome Plated
$15.52

Colony #2100-16 Lifter Base Phillips Screw Kit 1950-1953 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1952-1956 K Models - CAD Plated
$18.52

Colony #9946-20 Cam Cover Mounting Allen Kit 1999-Up Twin Cam Dyna/FLT 2000-Up Softail - Chrome Plated
1 review $14.89

Colony #9874-2 Oil Screen Plug 1966-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome Plated
$14.34

Colony #9967-4 Top Motor Mount to Cylinder Head Hardware 1993-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1986-Up XL - Zinc Plated
$12.74

Colony #2170-9 Water Pump Cover Thermostat Allen Hardware Kit 2002-Up Harley-Davidson VRSC - Chrome Plated
$12.67

Colony #9876-2 Oil Screen Plug 1970-1980 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome Plated
$11.96

Colony #9985-24 Valve Cover Washers 1954-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead - CAD Plated
$11.56

Colony #2167-2 Upper Crankcase Plug Gasket Kit 2002-Up Harley-Davidson VRSC - Chrome Plated
1 review $10.42

Colony #9954-5 Point Cover Mounting Button Torx Kit 1999-Up Harley-Davidson Twin Cam Dyna/FLT 2000-Up Softail - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $7.17

Colony #9939-6 Oil Filter Adapter Mounting Allen Kit 1999-Up Harley-Davidson Twin Cam Dyna/FLT - Chrome Plated
$4.76

Colony #9808-6 Oil Nipple Cap 1915-1964 Harley-Davidson All Models - CAD Plated
1 review $14.85

Colony #9640-16 Head Bolt Kit 1952-1953 Harley-Davidson K Model - Chrome Plated
$107.17

Colony #9728-36 Head Bolt Set 1940-Up Harley-Davidson Flathead 45 1930-1947 74/80 Iron Head - Parkerized
4 reviews $97.04

Colony #9727-18 Head Bolt Set 1940-1947 Harley-Davidson 74/80 Alloy Head - Parkerized
3 reviews $98.48

Colony #9726-20 Head Bolt Set 1940-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Parkerized
3 reviews $64.09

Colony #9725-20 Head Bolt Set 1936-1939 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Parkerized
2 reviews $64.09

Colony #9202-12 Pushrod Covers 1984-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twin Evo 1986-1990 XL - Chrome Plated
1 review $66.63

Colony #9797-20 Front Motor Mount Kit Allen Head 1957-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$59.38

Colony #9865-20 Upper Pushrod Cover Kit Harley-Davidson Big Twin Evo W/S&S Lifter Blocks - Chrome Plated
$50.08

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