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 #3170-12 Rubber Pushrod Cover Seals 1936-79 Harley Davidson Panhead Shovelhead — Colony #3170-12 Rubber Pushrod Cover Seals 1936-1979 Harley-Davidson Panhead/Shovelhead
2 reviews $7.45

Colony #2226-4-P Sprocket Cover Smooth Allen Kit 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$11.17

Colony #3800-24 OEM Style Valve Cover Screw 1948-1950 Harley-Davidson Panhead
$22.00

Colony #2595-13 Top Motor Mount Hardware 1952-1972 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1957-1972 Sportster - CAD Plated
3 reviews $22.00

Colony #2850-24 Stock Style Panhead Valve Cover Screw Kit 1951-1954 Harley-Davidson Panhead
1 review $22.00

Colony #8780-4 Pushrod Tappet Adjuster Locknuts Harley-Davidson OHV Big Twins/45's/XL/K models OEM# 18570-38
1 review $11.00

Colony #2650-13 Top Motor Mount Hardware 1957-E1972 Harley-Davidson XL 1952-1972 Big Twin - Parkerized
1 review $21.78

Colony #9634-4 Oil Pump Check & Relief Valve Plugs 1981-Up Harley-Davidson FL/FX - Chrome Plated
1 review $21.73

Colony #8438-16 Cylinder Base High Crown Cap Nut Set 1957-1985 Sportster 1969-Up Triumph - Chrome Plated
$21.60

Colony #9795-12 Timing Cover Screw Kit 1/4-20 After Market Harley-Davidson Cases - CAD Plated
$21.30

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

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

Colony #8150-12 Timing Cover Screw Kit 1936-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
$21.30

Colony #9946-20-P Cam Cover Mounting Kit Smooth Allen Kit 1999-Up Harley-Davidson Twin Cam 88 Dyna/FLT 2000-Up Twin Cam 88B Softail - Chrome Plated
3 reviews $20.85

Colony #2370-8 Cylinder Head Motor Brace Mounting Kit 1966-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead - CAD Plated
2 reviews $20.85

Colony #2368-8 Cylinder Head Motor Brace Mounting Kit 1948-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead - Parkerized
$20.85

Colony #8931-16 Rocker Cover Allen Head Screw Kit 1985-Up Harley-Davidson FL/FX 1986-Up XL - Chrome Plated
3 reviews $20.85

Colony #9102-8 Cylinder Base Nut Set 1978-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead OEM# 16838-78 - Black Oxide
2 reviews $20.35

Colony #7705-4 Knucklehead Rocker Box Drain Tube Fitting Kit
$20.31

Colony #9306-7 Timing Cover Screw Kit 1970-1980 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead - CAD Plated
$10.04

Colony #3711-4 Rocker Arm Spacer Kit 1966-1984 Harley-Davidson FL 1971-1984 FX
$20.00

Colony #8779-12 Rocker Box Mounting Kit 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - CAD Plated
$19.51

Colony #3403-8 Cylinder Base Stud Spacers 1978-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelheads - Zinc Plated
1 review $19.51

Colony #8861-8 Cylinder Base Stud Spacer 1978-1984 Harey-Davidson Shovelhead - Black
1 review $19.51

Colony #3386-8 Cam Cover Allen Screw Kit 1971-1985 Harley-Davdison Sportster XL Models
$9.68

Colony #3138-4 Rocker Arm Oil Line Fitting Kit 1957-84 Harley Davidson — Colony #3138-4 Rocker Arm Oil Line Fitting Kit 1966-1984 Harley-Davidson FL/FX 1957-1984 XL - Parkerized
1 review $19.36

Colony #9944-24 Rocker Box Mounting Allen Kit 1999-Up Twin Cam Dyna/FLT 2000-Up Softail - Chrome Plated
1 review $19.36

Colony #9960-1 Oversize Plated Allen Timing Plug 11/16"-16 Threads Harley-Davidson OEM# 720 - Chrome Plated
1 review $9.56

Colony #9762-16-P Oil Pump Mounting Kit 1992-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome Plated
$18.62

Colony #3023-34 Rocker Arm Cover Screw Kit 1939-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Chrome Plated
1 review $18.51

Colony #8729-12 Rubberized Cork Pushrod Cover Seals 1957-1979 Harley-Davidson XL 1936-1947 Knucklehead
1 review $9.08

#3093-12 Valve Cover Gasket Kit Harley 1939-48 UL ULH Sidevalves — Colony #3093-12 Valve Cover Gasket Kit 1939-1948 Harley-Davidson UL/ULH Sidevalves
$18.15

Colony #2917-1 Motor Sprocket Nut 1970-1988 Harley-Davidson Sportster
$18.15

Colony #2623-1 Oil Pressure Switch Nipple 1939-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
$8.47

Colony #9623-16 Cylinder Base Nuts 1936-1978 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Parkerized
3 reviews $15.64

Colony #3721-1 Ovesize Allen Timing Plug 1970-1998 Harley-Davidson Dyna 1970-1999 Softail 1970-2003 Sportster - CAD Plated
$7.58

Colony #9605-2 Oil Pump Relief Valve Plug 1954-1967 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Chrome Plated
1 review $15.14

Colony #3025-34 Rocker Arm Cover Screw Kit 1939-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Parkerized
1 review $14.81

Colony #2610-1 Switch Stem Handle 19387-1938 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
$14.52

Colony #2852-6 Upper Engine Mounting Kit 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail - Chrome Plated
1 review $14.52

Colony #8942-14 Frame Electrical Terminal Screws & Fittings 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Big Twins 45's - CAD Plated
$14.52

Colony #8230-2 Cylinder Head Bolt Spacers 1937-1973 Harley-Davidson 45's - CAD Plated
$13.94

Colony #9835-8 Chrome Countersink Washer Set for 5/16" Flat Head Socket Harley-Davidson - Chrome Plated
$16.73

Colony #2520-1 Timer Wire Clip 1938-1965 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - CAD Plated
1 review $5.57

Colony #2363-3 Wheel Cylinder 3/8"-24 Banjo Bolt 1958-1972 Harley-Davidson FL/FLH - CAD Plated
$13.92

Colony #9624-16 Cylinder Base Nuts Harley-Davidson Sportster & 45's - Parkerized
$13.78

Colony #8704-2 Tappet Oil Screen Plug 1952-1965 Harley-Davidson Big Twin OEM# 24987-52 - Chrome Plated
$13.55

Colony #9942-16 Lifter Base Mounting Allen Kit 1999-up Harley-Davidson Twin Cam 88 Dyna/FLT 2000-Up Twin Cam 88B Softail - Chrome Plated
$13.40

Colony #9793-9-P Upper Motor Mount Smooth Allen Kit 1986-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$13.40

Colony #9842-8 Rocker Shaft End Nut Kit 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Parkerized
$6.38

Colony #2793-2 Swing Arm End Plates 1979-2004 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
3 reviews $12.74

Colony #2762-3 Starter Crank Bushings and Seal Kit 1937-1967 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$13.31

Colony #2440-2 Crankcase Vent Fitting and Hose 1977-1980 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Zinc Plated
2 reviews $13.22

Colony #8772-2 Timing Cover Oil Passage Bolt 1963-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twin OEM# 25218-63 - CAD Plated
$11.96

Colony #8402-2 Point Cover Acorn Head Screws 1971-Up Harley-Davidson Shovelhead & Sportster - Chrome Plated
3 reviews $5.96

Colony #8747-12 Oil Pump Mounting Kit 1978-1991 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead/Evo - Chrome Plated
$11.53

Colony #9875-2 Oil Screen Plug 1966-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
$11.14

Colony #9604-2 Oil Screen Plug 1952-1965 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - CAD Plated
$11.14

Colony #9402-1 Timing Plug 1970-Up Harley-Davidson OEM# 720 - Chrome Plated
$11.00

Colony #9771-8-P Center Motor Mount Kit Smooth Allen Kit 1991 & 1993-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $13.02

Colony #3282-4 Rocker Arm Cover Gasket Kit 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
$12.10

Colony #3049-7 Chain Oiler Adjusting Screw Kit 1932-E1950 Harley-Davidson Twins 1932-1957 45's - Parkerized
$12.09

Colony #8864-4 Oil Filter Adaptor Screw Kit Allen Head 1986-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$10.76

Colony #2146-2 Tappet Oil Screen & Spring 1970-1999 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
2 reviews $10.42

Colony #8816-10 Oil Pump Mounting Allen Kit 1954-1976 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$10.42

Colony #7817-1 Acorn Head Motor Sprocket Nut 1957-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$10.37

Colony #9674-1 Long Oil Pump Nut Pre-1967 Harley-Davidson All Models - Parkerized
$5.18

Colony #2730-3 Clutch and Brake Hand Lever Clamp Bushing Kit 1941-1948 Harley-Davidson - CAD Plated
1 review $9.90

Colony #3671-1 Starter Solenoid Plunger Cover 1965-1988 Harley-Davidson Big Twins 1967-1980 XL
$9.68

Colony #9525-1 Oil Pump Check Valve Plug 1936-1980 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1937-Up UL/45s - Parkerized
$9.56

Colony #9528-1 Oil Pump Bypass Valve Plug 1936-1952 Harley-Davidson OHV Big Twins - Parkerized
$9.56

Colony #8782-4-P Lifter Base Smooth Allen Screw Kit 1957-1990 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
1 review $9.56

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