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 #9793-9 Upper Motor Mount Kit Allen 1986-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$12.67

Colony #8602-20 Oversize Stroker Upper Pushrod Cover Kit 1940-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead & All Shovelhead - Chrome Plated
1 review $50.08

Colony #7507-20 Upper Pushrod Cover Kit 1957-1985 Sportster 1948-1965 Panhead - Chrome Plated
3 reviews $50.08

Colony #8860-8 Cylinder Base Stud Spacer 1978-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead OEM# 16836-78 - Chrome Plated
1 review $24.98

Colony #2620-7 Frame Brace Upper Connection Kit 1937-1979 Harley-Davidson Sidecars - Parkerized
1 review $49.50

Colony #9944-24-P Rocker Box Smooth Allen Mounting Kit 1999-Up Harley-Davidson Twin Cam 88 Dyna/FLT 2000-Up Twin Cam 88B Softail - Chrome Plated
$24.71

Colony #9927-28 Upper & Lower Motor Mounting Allen Kit 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail - Chrome Plated
$49.25

Colony #9622-16 Lifter Base Screw Kit 1936-1953 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1937-1973 45's - Parkerized
2 reviews $16.35

Colony #9833-24 Rocker Cover Allen Screw Kit 1985-Up Harley-Davidson FL/FX 1986-Up XL - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $23.91

Colony #9521-22 Upper & Lower Motor Mount Kit 1937-1947 Harley-Davidson Big Twin Side Valve - Chrome Plated
$47.80

Colony #9771-8 Center Motor Mount Allen Screw Kit 1986-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
1 review $11.90

Colony #2205-4 Swing Arm Pivot Hex Bolts 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail - Chrome Plated
$47.38

Colony #3717-16 Black Headbolt Set 1973-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster
$45.27

Colony #9983-3 Shifter Cam Plunger Kit 1936-1976 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1940-1973 45s - Parkerized
$21.73

Colony #9621-12 Timing Cover Screw Kit 1936-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
2 reviews $21.30

Colony #8732-24 Valve Cover Screws 1-1/4 inch Long 1954-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead With Alloy D-Rings - Chrome Plated
1 review $41.97

Colony #9751-11 Cam Cover Allen Screw Kit 1986-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster 86-Up - Chrome Plated
3 reviews $20.85

Colony #3678-16 Lower Motor Mount Kit 1936-1957 Harley-Davidson OHV Big Twins - Parkerized
$40.70

Colony #2142-12 Pushrod Cover Seal Kit 1979-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead
3 reviews $13.40

Colony #3689-15 Lower Motor Mount Kit 1937-1947 Harley-Davidson Side Valve Big Twins - CAD Plated
$39.88

Colony #8895-9 Cam Cover Screw Kit 1952-1970 Harley-Davidson K/KH/XL/XLCH/XLH - CAD Plated
$19.80

Colony #8400-8 Rocker Shaft Cap Nut & Washer Kit 1966-1985 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead 1957-1985 Sportster - Chrome Plated
$12.74

Colony #9409-22 Oil Pump Mounting Kit 1937-1973 Harley-Davidson 45's - CAD Plated
$38.01

Colony #9663-22 Oil Pump Mounting Kit 1937-1973 Harley-Davidson 45's - Parkerized
$38.01

Colony #8609-36 Rocker Box Nut Kit 1966-1983 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead - CAD Plated
$12.67

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 #2946-1 Cylinder Bracket for Aluminum Heads 1936-1952 Harley-Davidson WL 45 1936-1973 Servi-car - CAD Plated
$37.00

Colony #3032-4 Cam Follower & Retainer Kit 1952-1979 Harley-Davidson FL/FLH 1971-1979 FX
$36.30

Colony #2704-3 Crankcase Oil Strainer Kit 1957-1976 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1937-1973 Flatheads
2 reviews $12.10

Colony #3685-12 Lower Motor Mount Kit 1966-1969 Harley-Davidson OHV Big Twins - Chrome Plated
$36.03

Colony #9644-2 Oil Screen Plug 1981-Up Harley-Davidson FL/FX - Chrome Plated
$11.96

Colony #8761-7 Timing Cover Knurled Allen Screw Kit 1970-1992 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead/Evo - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $11.90

Colony #9697-17 Motor Case Stock Fastener Kit 1940-1973 Harley-Davidson 45's - Parkerized
1 review $35.42

Colony #7142-4 Knucklehead Type Rocker Arm Shaft End Plug - 1971-1985 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead 1971-85 Sportster - Chrome Plated
6 reviews $34.85

Colony #7808-4 Upper Pushrod Covers (Inner) 1957-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1936-Early 1979 OHV Big Twins
3 reviews $34.05

Colony #2306-16 Electrical Terminal Plate 1959-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
$33.84

Colony #8870-21 Lower Motor Mount Kit Acorn Head 1986-1992 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$33.67

Colony #2668-21 Lower Motor Mount Acorn Kit 1993-2003 Harley Sportster - Chrome Plated
1 review $33.67

Colony #8789-28-P Rocker Box Smooth Allen Bolt Kit 1957-1976 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$33.50

Colony #3684-12 Lower Motor Mount Kit 1966-1969 Harley-Davidson OHV Big Twins - Parkerized
$33.00

Colony #8600-8 Hi-Torque Cylinder Base Nut Set Harley-Davidson Big Twin Pre-Evo - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $32.60

Colony #8708-8 Lifter Base Screw Kit 1976-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Chrome Plated
1 review $16.26

Colony #8857-8 Cylinder Base Stud Set 1978-1984 Harley-Davidson Big Twins OEM# 16837-78
1 review $31.87

Colony #7603-4 Lower Motor Mount Kit Acorn Nut 1936-1984 Harley-Davidson OHV Big Twins - Chrome Plated
6 reviews $31.87

Colony #3445-8 Rocker Shaft End Plug & Cap Nut Kit 1971-Up Harley-Davidson Shovelhead 1971-1985 Sportster
2 reviews $31.81

Colony #8105-16 Cylinder Base Nuts & Lock Washers 1930-1978 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
2 reviews $15.64

Colony #9412-19 Timing Cover Screw Kit 1937-1973 Harley-Davidson 45's - Chrome Plated
$30.87

Colony #3692-1 Valve Spring Lifter 1939-1948 Harley-Davidson UL/ULH Sidevalves
$30.80

Colony #2367-8 Cylinder Base Stud Set 1929-1957 Harley-Davidson 45s
1 review $30.42

Colony #9639-22 Electrical Terminal Plate 1970-1977 Harley-Davidson FL/FX - CAD Plated
$29.24

Colony #2062-8 Cam Cover Phillips Screw Kit 1971-1980 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated
1 review $14.52

Colony #9633-50 Flatwashers Harley-Davidson FL/FX/XL OEM# 6099 - Chrome Plated
6 reviews $14.52

Colony #9603-2 Oil Screen Plug 1952-1965 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Chrome Plated
$14.34

Colony #8709-8 Lifter Base Screw Kit 1976-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twin - CAD Plated
1 review $14.34

Colony #9878-13 Motor Case Fastener Kit 1957-1976 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated
$28.60

Colony #8706-6 Tappet Oil Screen/Oil Pump Check Valve/Relief Valve Plug Set 1970-1980 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Chrome Plated
1 review $28.60

Colony #8601-8 Hi-Torque Cylinder Base Nut Set Harley-Davidson Big Twin Pre-Evo - Black
2 reviews $28.60

Colony #8470-8 Lifter Base Cap Screw Kit 1976-Up Harley-Davidson 74s - Chrome Plated
$27.89

Colony #8747-12-P Oil Pump Mounting Kit Smooth Allen Screw Kit 1978-1991 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead & Evolution - Chrome Plated
$13.78

Colony #2215-4 Swing Arm Pivot Hex Bolts 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail - Chrome Plated
3 reviews $27.07

Colony #9832-28 Rocker Box Hex Screw Kit 1977-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated
$25.84

Colony #8936-3 Pivot Bolt Washer & Spacer 1973-1978 Harley-Davidson XL - Chrome Plated
3 reviews $25.71

Colony #7827-12 Oil Pump Acorn Screw Kit 1978-1991 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome Plated
$25.71

Colony #9668-19 Timing Cover Screw Kit 1937-1973 Harley-Davidson 45's - Parkerized
$25.28

Colony #3780-18 Rocker Box Flange Nut Kit 1966-1983 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead - Chrome Plated
$25.00

Colony #9817-15 Electrical Terminal Plate 1970-1974 Harley-Davidson FX/XL - Parkerized
2 reviews $25.00

Colony #8736-24 Valve Cover Screws 1954-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead With Steel D-Rings - Chrome Plated
$24.71

Colony #7411-2 Sprocket Shaft Seal Assembly Replaces 1936-1954 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
1 review $24.26

Colony #2101-12 Timing Cover Phillips Screw Kit 1950-1952 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Chrome Plated
$24.20

Colony #3351-4 Rocker Arm Thrust Washer Kit 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
$12.09

Colony #2505-1 Spark Plug Front Cable Clamp 1936-1969 Harley-Davidson 74 OHV - CAD Plated
$7.70

Colony #8778-12 Rocker Box Mounting Kit 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Chrome Plated
$22.80

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