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 5 Motorcycle Engine

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Gasbox Top Motor Mount - 1957 - 1985 Ironhead Sportster XL - With Coil And Crank Key Start Mount
20 reviews $49.95

Lowbrow Customs FiltroMax Belt Drive Mounting Bracket
11 reviews $21.61

Lowbrow Customs Rocker Box Oil Pressure Gauge Adapter Fitting - Chrome - 1971 - Up Harley-Davidson Shovelhead, 1971 - 1985 Sportster
9 reviews $26.42

Lowbrow Customs Rocker Box Oil Pressure Gauge Adapter Fitting - Brass - 1971 - Up Harley-Davidson Shovelhead, 1971 - 1985 Sportster
6 reviews $26.42

Old-Stf Cycle Pushrod Cover Keeper Set - Drilled Brass - Big Twin Evo Shovelheads & Knuckles
17 reviews $40.00

Colony #8104-16 Cylinder Base Nuts 1930-1978 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome Plated
$20.99

Colony #8204-4 Hydraulic Lifter Converters Eliminate Hydraulic Units 1953-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$34.05

Colony #8225-8 Rocker Shaft End Plug & Cap Kit 1971-Up Harley-Davidson Shovelhead 1971-1985 XL - CAD Plated
2 reviews $31.81

Colony #7502-2 Oversize Drain Plug & Tap Kit 1965-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twins 1967-Up Sportster - Chrome Plated
1 review $46.35

Colony #3590-3 Oil Line Nuts for 3/8 inch Rubber Lines 1915-1964 Harley-Davidson - CAD Plated
1 review $23.10

Colony #8224-8 Rocker Shaft End Plug & Cap Kit 1971-Up Harley-Davidson Shovelhead 1971-1985 XL - Chrome Plated
9 reviews $40.61

James Gaskets 5 Speed Transmission End Cover Gasket 1987-2006 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
$4.70

Colony #9918-8 Rocker Arm Stud Nut Kit 1948-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead - CAD Plated
2 reviews $19.12

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

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

Colony #8608-36 Rocker Box Nut Kit 1966-1983 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $20.11

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

Colony #2369-8 Cylinder Head Motor Brace Mounting Kit 1948-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead - CAD Plated
6 reviews $19.48

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

Colony #2538-2 Ignition Timer Cover Stud Kit 1972-1979 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Zinc Plated
1 review $13.92

Colony #2916-2 Starter Shaft Nut and Spacer Kit 1965-1969 Harley-Davidson FL
1 review $27.50

Colony #2070-1 Oil Line Fitting Chrome 1/8 NPT Thread for 3/8 inch Hose OEM# 63533-41 - Chrome Plated
5 reviews $4.54

Colony #7137-22 High Crown Acorn Rocker Box Bolt Kit - 1966-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead - Chrome Plated
4 reviews $51.43

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

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

Colony #8931-16-P Rocker Cover Smooth Allen Kit 1985-Up Harley-Davidson FL/FX 1986-Up XL - Chrome Plated
$23.01

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

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 #2540-2 Ignition Timer Cover Stud Kit 1980-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twin/XL - Zinc Plated
$13.92

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

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

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

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

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

Colony #8728-12 Rubberized Cork Pushrod Cover Seals Pre-1979 Harley-Davidson Panhead/Shovelhead
18 reviews $9.08

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

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

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

Colony #8735-24 Valve Cover Screws 45/64 inch Long 1954-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead With Steel D-Rings - CAD Plated
1 review $34.93

Colony #8733-24 Valve Cover Screws 1-1/4 inch Long 1954-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead With Alloy D-Rings - CAD Plated
$34.93

Colony #7143-4 Knucklehead Type Rocker Arm Shaft End Plug - 1966-1970 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead 1957-70 Sportster - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $34.85

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 #7401-2 Tach Drive Block Off Plug 1971-1984 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
6 reviews $17.14

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 #9635-4 Oil Pump Check & Relief Valve Plugs 1981-Up Harley-Davidson FL/FX - CAD Plated
$15.94

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

Colony #8856-8 Cylinder Base Stud Set 1930-1977 Harley-Davidson Big Twins OEM# 16831-30
3 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 #3639-2 Intake Manifold Rubber Seals 1978-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead & Sportster
$7.70

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

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

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

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

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

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 #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 #7624-8 Hi-Torq Cylinder Base Nut Set - Black Oxide
$28.42

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

Colony #9917-8 Rocker Arm Heat Treated Stud Kit 1948-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead
2 reviews $27.75

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

Colony #8741-19 Oil Pump Mounting Kit 1936-1967 Harley-Davidson OHV Big Twins - CAD Plated
$27.50

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

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

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

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