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.

Special Motorcycle Engine

Sort by

Colony #3512-4 Tappet Adjuster Locknuts 1915-1939 Harley-Davidson Singles/45s/74"/80" - Parkerized
$12.10

Colony #3528-2 Manifold Intake Nipple Brass Seals 1923-1924 Harley-Davidson DCA/DCB 1925-1929 74" 1928-29 61"
$7.87

Colony #3526-2 Brass Intake Manifold Seals fits 1917-1923 Harley-Davidson 61"
$7.26

Colony #3510-2 Manifold Intake Nuts 1915-1927 Harley-Davidson 61" 1921-1924 FD/JD - Nickel Plated
$29.70

Colony #3509-2 Manifold Intake Nipples 1917-23 Harley-Davidson 61" Motor - Nickel Plated
$47.30

Colony #3507-2 Crankcase Relief Plug Harley-Davidson WLA - Parkerized
$12.10

Colony #3504-2 Manifold Intake Nuts 1923-1924 Harley-Davidson DCA/DCB 1925-19-29 74" 1928-1929 61" L - Nickel Plated
$30.80

Colony #3503-2 Manifold Intake Nipples 1923-1924 Harley-Davidson DCA/DCB 1925-19-29 74" 1928-1929 61" L - Nickel Plated
$49.50

Colony #3470-28 Front Rocker Plate Stud Kit 1926-1929 Harley-Davidson Singles 45" 1930-1934 21 Singles JD - Nickel Plated
$81.40

Colony #3458-4 Cylinder Base Studs 1930-1934 Harley-Davidson 30" Singles 1917-1929 JD - Parkerized
$19.36

Colony #3456-4 Cylinder Base Studs 1926-29 Harley-Davidson 21" Singles - Parkerized
$19.36

Colony #3453-2 Rocker Plate Stud Spacer Nut 1926-1929 Harley-Davidson Singles/45 Twins 1930-1934 21" Singles - Parkerized
$9.68

Colony #3452-4 Rocker Plate Stud Bushings 1913-1929 Harley-Davidson All Models 1930-1934 21" Singles
$35.20

Colony #3447-7 Oversized Cylinder Head Stud Kit 1926-1932 Harley-Davidson A & B Singles - Parkerized
$46.20

Colony #3443-2 Point Cover Mounting Kit 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster 2017-Up Touring Models - Chrome Plated
$6.05

Colony #3125-14-P Motor Mounting Kit 2017-Up Harley-Davidson Touring Models - Chrome Plated
$23.10

Colony #8309 CAD Complete Stock Hardware Kit - 1937-1973 Harley-Davidson 45 with Aluminum Head - CAD Plated
$328.94

Colony #8308 PARK Complete Stock Hardware Kit - 1937-1973 Harley-Davidson 45 with Cast Iron Head - Parkerized
$303.96

Colony #8308 CAD Complete Stock Hardware Kit - 1937-1973 Harley-Davidson 45 with Cast Iron Head - CAD Plated
$303.96

Colony #8306 CAD Complete Stock Hardware Kit - 1940-1948 Harley-Davidson 74 & 80 Aluminum Head - CAD Plated
$339.82

Colony #8305 CHR Complete Stock Hardware Kit - 1940-1948 Harley-Davidson 74 & 80 Cast Iron Head - Chrome Plated
$388.19

Colony #8305 PARK Complete Stock Hardware Kit - 1940-1948 Harley-Davidson 74 & 80 Cast Iron Head - Parkerized
$305.07

Colony #8304 PARK Complete Stock Hardware Kit - 1937-1939 Harley-Davidson 74 & 80 Cast Iron Head - Parkerized
$306.59

Colony #8304 CAD Complete Stock Hardware Kit - 1937-1939 Harley-Davidson 74 & 80 Cast Iron Head - CAD Plated
$306.59

Colony #8325 CHR Complete Stock Hardware Kit - 1954-1956 Harley-Davidson K Model - Chrome Plated
$310.34

Colony #8325 CAD Complete Stock Hardware Kit - 1954-1956 Harley-Davidson K Model - CAD Plated
$245.74

Colony #8324 CHR Complete Stock Hardware Kit - 1952-1953 Harley-Davidson K Model - Chrome Plated
$311.08

Colony #8321 CAD Complete Stock Hardware Kit - 1977-1980 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated
$226.60

Colony #8319 CHR Complete Stock Hardware Kit - 1971-1973 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$262.21

Colony #8317 CHR Complete Stock Hardware Kit - 1967-70 Harley-Davidson Sportster XLH and 1970 XLCH - Chrome Plated
$280.70

Colony #8315 CHR Complete Stock Hardware Kit - 1957-1966 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL/XLH - Chrome Plated
$273.26

Colony #8315 CAD Complete Stock Hardware Kit - 1957-1966 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL/XLH - CAD Plated
$247.50

Colony #8815-15 Oil Pump Stud & Nut Kit 1952-E1971 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated
$19.12

Colony #8814-15 Oil Pump Stud & Nut Kit E1952-1971 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$21.52

Colony #8713-8 Lifter Base Screw Kit Pre-1976 Harley-Davidson Cases With Late Lifters - Black
$14.34

Colony #8712-8 Lifter Base Screw Kit Pre-1976 Harley-Davidson Cases With Late Lifters - CAD Plated
$14.34

Colony #8619-17 Motor Case Kit 1940-1973 Harley-Davidson 45's - Chrome Plated
$37.95

Colony #8480-8 Lifter Base Acorn Head Screw Kit Harley-Davidson Late Style Lifter Base to 1/4-24 Motor Case - Chrome Plated
$27.51

Colony #8229-2 Cylinder Head Bolt Spacers 1937-1973 Harley-Davidson 45's - Chrome Plated
$17.14

Colony #8216-18 Head Bolt Kit 1940-1947 Harley-Davidson Alloy Flathead 74 & 80 - Chrome Plated
$123.48

Colony #8215-18 Head Bolt Washer Kit 1940-1947 Harley-Davidson Alloy 45/74/80 - Chrome Plated
$51.78

Colony #8138-34 Motor Case Kit Stock 1965-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - CAD Plated
$51.70

Colony #8133-34 Motor Case Kit Acorn Head 1948-1964 Harley-Davidson Panhead - Chrome Plated
$63.61

Colony #8130-34 Motor Case Kit Acorn Head 1940-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Chrome Plated
$63.61

Colony #8128-34 Motor Case Kit Stock 1936-1939 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Chrome Plated
$58.30

Colony #8127-34 Motor Case Kit Acorn Head 1936-1939 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Chrome Plated
$63.61

Colony #8125-34 Motor Case Kit Stock 1940-1948 Harley-Davidson Flathead - Chrome Plated
$58.30

Colony #8124-34 Motor Case Kit Acorn Head 1940-1948 Harley-Davidson Flathead - Chrome Plated
$63.61

Colony #8123-34 Motor Case Kit Stock 1936-1939 Harley-Davidson Flathead - CAD Plated
$51.70

Colony #8122-34 Motor Case Kit Stock 1936-1939 Harley-Davidson Flathead - Chrome Plated
$58.30

Colony #8121-34 Motor Case Kit Acorn Head 1936-1939 Harley-Davidson Flathead - Chrome Plated
$63.61

Colony #8171-8 Cylinder Base Nut Lockwashers OEM 7055 All 1930-1977 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
$4.76

Colony #8116-1 Motor Case Drain Plug/Oil Pump Body Plug 1911-1970 Harley-Davidson Big Twin Cases/1968-1984 Oil Pump Body - Chrome Plated
$6.60

Colony #8108-1 Long Oil Pump Nut Pre-1967 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome Plated
$7.17

Colony #8103-16 Lifter Base Screw Kit 1936-1953 Harley-Davidson Big Twin & 1937-1973 45's - CAD Plated
$16.35

Colony #7713-20 Head Bolt Set CAD Plated 1936-1939 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - CAD Plated
$64.09

Colony #7712-36 Head Bolt Set 1940-Up Harley-Davidson 45's 1930-1947 Flathead 74's/80's with Iron Heads - CAD Plated
$97.04

Colony #7711-18 Head Bolt Set CAD Plated 1940-1947 Harley-Davidson Flathead 74's/80's with Aluminum Heads - CAD Plated
$98.48

Colony #7709-32 Head Nut & Washer Kit 1942-Up Harley-Davidson 45's with Cast Iron Heads & 3/8-16 Head Studs
$40.56

Colony #7628-8 Lifer Base Screw Kit 1976-Up Harley-Davidson 74's - Chrome Plated
$25.71

Colony #7623-8 Hi-Torq Cylinder Base Nut Set - Chrome Plated
$32.48

Colony #7509-20 Upper Pushrod Cover Kit 1936-1939 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Chrome Plated
$50.08

Colony #7412-24 Acorn Rocker Arm Cover Screw Kit All Harley-Davidson Panheads- Chrome Plated
$60.91

Colony #7402-7 Acorn Head Timing Cover Screw Kit 1970-1992 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome Plated
$24.26

Colony #7352-16 Heat Treated Acorn Head Bolt Kit Late 1973-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$57.94

Colony #7152-20 Heat Treated Acorn Head Bolt Kit - 1936-1939 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Chrome Plated
$66.63

Colony #7151-16 Heat Treated Acorn Head Bolt Kit - 1957-Early 1973 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$57.94

Colony #7150-8 Acorn Head Cam Cover Screw Kit - 1971-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$29.70

Colony #7131-8 Lifter Base Acorn Screw Kit - 1936-1975 OHV Harley-Davidson Davidson Big Twin - Chrome Plated
$25.71

Colony #7130-10 Circuit Breaker & Relay Screw Kit - 1936-1957 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome Plated
$17.22

Colony #7120-4 Aluminum Valve Retainers - All Harley-Davidson Davidson OHV 74's
$35.13

Colony #7115-2 Acorn Head Countershaft Sprocket Cover Screw Set - 1957-1969 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1952-56 K Model - Chrome Plated
$14.74

STAY CONNECTED
WITH LOWBROW

NO SPAM, EVER. JUST GREAT STUFF. YOUR INFO IS NEVER SHARED.