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.

Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Engine

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James Gaskets Points Cover Gasket 1971-1978 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
$0.96

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

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

Colony #7612-3 Oil Line/Vent Line Fittings Pre-1965 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
1 review $13.94

Colony #2745-2 Oversized Ignition Timer Cover Stud Kit 1972-1979 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Zinc Plated
$13.92

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

James Gaskets Transmission Top Cover Gasket - 1984-1998 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 5-Speed
$6.93

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

James Gaskets Generator Mounting Gasket 1958-1983 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
$0.81

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

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

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

Colony #2735-1 Oil Line Fitting Replaces OEM# 63533-41 - CAD Plated
$4.24

Colony #2853-6 Upper Engine Mounting Kit 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail - Zinc Plated
1 review $12.71

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 #8211-2 Sprocket Shaft Seal Assembly 1939-1973 Harley-Davidson 45's
3 reviews $3.89

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

Colony #2578-4 Top Motor Mount Hardware Kit 1948-1951 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Parkerized
$11.20

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

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

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

Colony #9684-10 Circuit Breaker & Relay Screw Kit 1936-1984 Harley-Davidson OHV Twins - Parkerized
1 review $10.04

Colony #8488-10 Cylinder Head Bolt Washers 1948-Up Harley-Davidson OEM# 6469 - Chrome Plated
$9.96

Colony #2809-3 Clutch and Brake Hand Lever Clamp Bushing Kit 1949-1964 Harley-Davidson All Models - CAD Plated
$9.90

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

Colony #3238-2 Oil Pump Cover Nipple 1950 - 1964 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome — Colony #3238-2 Oil Pump Cover Nipple 1950-1964 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome Plated
1 review $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

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

Colony #2376-1 Crank Pin and Sprocket Shaft Nut Harley-Davidson OEM# 8010
$9.08

Colony #2289-1 Motor Sprocket Nut 1929-Up Harley-Davidson 45s - Parkerized
$9.08

Colony #3311-1 Motorcase Breather Pipe Nipple Harley-Davidson 1952-1984 K/XL 1965-1967 FL/FLH
2 reviews $8.47

Colony #3085-4 Crank Pin Nut Lockwasher Kit Harley-Davidson OEM# 368-12
$8.25

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

Colony #9845-4 Lifter Base Hex Screw Kit 1957-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$7.45

Colony #3326-2 Oil Pump Cover to Oil Filter Line Fitting 1950-1957 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - CAD Plated
1 review $7.26

Colony #2586-1 Timer Cable Clamp 1949-1964 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - CAD Plated
1 review $7.26

Colony #2285-1 Motor Sprocket Nut 1993-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Zinc Plated
1 review $7.15

Colony #2496-2 Tappet Oil Screen and Spring 1966-1969 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead
$6.96

Colony #8495-1 1937-1986 Harley-Davidson Big Twin Transmission & Sportster XL Motor Case Drain Plug OEM# 707 - CAD Plated
3 reviews $6.78

Colony #3558-1 Sprocket Shaft Seal 1939-1973 Harley-Davidson 45's
$6.60

Colony #9665-8 Circuit Breaker & Relay Screw Kit 1937-1973 Harley-Davidson 45's - Parkerized
$5.96

James Gaskets Bearing Housing/Case Gasket - Silicone - 1984-1998 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 5-Speed
$5.61

Colony #9631-1 Oil Pump Stud Nut Short 1941-1948 Harley-Davidson 74/80 SV 1941-1954 45's - Parkerized
$5.58

Colony #9675-1 Motor Case Drain Plug 1911-1970 Harley-Davidson 1968-1984 Oil Pump Body - Parkerized
1 review $5.50

Colony #9716-8 Cylinder Base Nut Lockwashers 1930-1977 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Parkerized
$4.76

James Gaskets Generator Mounting Gasket 1940-1957 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
$0.81

S&S Cycle Quickee Adjustable Pushrod Set - 1991-2022 Harley-Davidson XL 1999-2017 Twin Cam 2017-2023 M8
$188.96 $209.95

James Gaskets Primary Cover & Inspection Cover Gasket Kit 8-Hole Primary Cover 1965-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$68.87

James Gaskets Primary Cover & Inspection Cover Gasket Kit With Seals 1984-1986 Harley-Davidson FL/FLH/FX/FXE/FXWG 1984-1988 Softail
$68.87

Drag Specialties Chrome Rocker Box Cover 1992-1999 Harley-Davidson EVO Big Twins
$354.27

Colony #3801-17 Timing Cover Screw Kit 1932-1936 Harley-Davidson RL/RLD/RLE/Servi-car - CAD Plated
$20.35

Colony #3795-2 Cam Shaft Lever Screw & Nut Kit 1934-1936 Harley-Davidson RL/VL/Servi-car
$15.40

Cycle Standard Rocker Box Covers - Chrome - 1986-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL
$146.59

Colony #3427-1 Head Cone Washer 1936-1934 Harley-Davidson Singles and All 45 Twins - CAD Plated
$8.47

Colony #3381-1 Lower Head Cone 1930-1938 Harley-Davidson 1930-1934 C Singles - CAD Plated
$22.00

Colony #3370-20 Sprocket Cover Stud Kit 1928-1934 Harley-Davidson Singles/45 Twins - CAD Plated
$32.84

Colony #8524 Complete Show Bike Kit Cap Style Hardware Harley-Davidson 1996-1999 Softail 1996-1998 Dyna Glide - Chrome Plated
$320.07

Colony #8310 Complete Stock Hardware Kit 1948-1966 Harley-Davidson 2 cycle 125/165/175 cc - CAD Plated
$57.57

Colony #2914-2 Rocker Stud Spacer Kit 1931-1940 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - CAD Plated
$13.31

Colony #2906-2 Crank Pin Nut Set 1936-1940 Harley-Davidson 61" 1937-1940 Sidevalves
$29.00

Colony #2901-4 Crank Pin Nut Lock Plates 1936-1940 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$7.26

Colony #2893-3 Starter Crank Clamp Bolt 1941-1967 Harley-Davidson FL/FLH - Chrome Plated
$6.05

Colony #2891-3 Starter Crank Clamp Bolt 1941-1967 Harley-Davidson FL/FLH - Parkerized
$8.47

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