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 Cam Change Gasket Kit - 1970-92 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
$30.09

James Gaskets Cam Change Gasket Kit with Metal Cam Cover Gasket - 1970-92 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
1 review $36.14

S&S Cycle V80 Series Complete Assembled Evo Long Block Engine - Natural
$7,519.95 $7,999.95

S&S Cycle V80 Series Complete Assembled Evo Long Block Engine - Wrinkle Black
1 review $6,673.95 $7,099.95

S&S Cycle V80 Series Complete Assembled Evo Engine - Wrinkle Black
$8,083.95 $8,599.95

S&S Cycle SH93 S&S Shovelhead Engine - Complete Harley Big Twin Motor
$9,399.95 $9,999.95

S&S Cycle S&S P93 Series Complete Assembled Panhead Engine
1 review $10,806.19 $11,495.95

Cannonball Oil Pump 1936-52 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead Panhead - Replaces OEM# 26201-41 26201-48
1 review $1,052.69

Cannonball Tappet Guides 1936-47 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Replaces OEM# 18610-36 18600-36
1 review $1,125.79

Cannonball Harley Flathead Engine Crankcase 1937-1948 - Replaces OEM# 24515-37
$3,652.49

Cannonball Crankcases 1948-1952 Harley-Davidson Panhead - Replaces OEM# 24520-48
$4,265.75

Cannonball Crankcases 1941-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Replaces OEM# 24520-41
1 review $4,295.10

Colony #3549-5 Inner Primary to Motor Seals 2006-Up Harley-Davidson Dyna 2007-Up Softail/Touring Models
1 review $9.08

Colony #3535-6 Timing Cover Screw Kit 1970-1992 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead & Evolution
1 review $7.74

Colony #3435-1 Cylinder Bracket for Cast Iron Heads 1932-Up Harley-Davidson 45's & Servi-car with Iron Heads - Parkerized
$45.00

Colony #3423-1 Oversized Motor Case Drain Plug Oil Pump Body Plug 7/16-20 1936-1970 Harley-Davidson Big Twin Cases 1937-Up 45 Cases 1968-1984 Oil Pump Body - Parkerized
$5.50

Colony #3422-1 Oversized Motor Case Drain Plug Oil Pump Body Plug 7/16-20 1936-1970 Harley-Davidson Big Twin Cases 1937-Up 45 Cases 1968-1984 Oil Pump Body - Chrome Plated
$6.60

Colony #3520-9 Crankcase Relief Pipe Gasket Kit 1937-1973 Harley-Davidson 45s 1937-1948 Sidevalve Models - CAD Plated
$4.79

Colony #3519-9 Crankcase Relief Pipe Gasket Kit 1937-1973 Harley-Davidson 45s 1937-1948 Sidevalve Models - Parkerized
1 review $4.79

Colony #3516-4 Cylinder Head Spacer 1954-1956 Harley-Davidson KH/KHK/KHR/KHRM - CAD Plated
1 review $30.80

Colony #3515-4 Cylinder Head Spacer 1952-1953 Harley-Davidson K/KK/KRM 1952-1969 KR - CAD Plated
$35.20

Colony #3496-10 Manifold Inlet Nipples 1948-1954 Harley-Davidson OHV
$19.53

Colony #3446-7 Cylinder Head Stud Kit 1926-1932 Harley-Davidson Singles - Parkerized
$34.65

Colony #3434-24 Front Rocker Plate Stud Kit 1912-1915 Harley-Davidson - Nickel Plated
$71.50

Colony #3431-24 Front Rocker Plate Stud Kit 1916-1929 Harley-Davidson - Nickel Plated
$67.93

Colony #3387-11 Cam Cover Screw Kit 1986-2003 Harley-Davdison Sportster XL Models
1 review $13.54

Colony #3125-14 Motor Mounting Kit 2017-Up Harley-Davidson Touring Models - Chrome Plated
$20.57

Lowbrow Customs Oil Gauge Adapter Tappet Screen Fitting 1966-1999 Harley-Davidsons
9 reviews $19.81

Colony #3421-1 Oversized Motor Case Drain Plug 1936-1970 Harley-Davidson Big Twin Cases 1937-Up 45 Cases 1968-1984 Oil Pump Body - CAD Plated
$5.50

Colony #3420-1 Upper Head Cone 1930-1939 Harley-Davidson 1930-34 C Singles - CAD Plated
$33.00

Colony #3385-1 Head Cone Locknut 1930-1938 Harley-Davidson 1930-1934 C Singles - CAD Plated
$22.00

Colony #3407-14 Timing Cover Screw Kit 1930-1936 Harley-Davidson VL - CAD Plated
$20.63

Colony #3353-4 Oil Line Nut & Sleeve Rubber 1949-1964 Harley-Davidson Big Twins 1954-1966 KH/XL - CAD Plated
1 review $12.10

Colony #3306-2 Mainshaft Oil Seal Cork Washer & Main Drive Gear Spacer Key 1936-1979 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$7.26

Colony #3300-12 Valve Cover Seal Kit 1930-1936 Harley-Davidson VL 1937-1938 Sidevalves
$14.52

Lowbrow Customs Rocker Box Oil Pressure Gauge Adapter Fitting - Chrome - 1966 - 1970 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead, 1957 - 1970 Sportster
2 reviews $26.42

Colony #3286-12 Rocker Box Mounting Kit 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Parkerized
$20.57

Colony #3255-8 Tappet Screw & Nut Kit 1936-1952 Harley-Davdison Big Twins
$34.65

Colony #3260-36 Head Bolt Set Early 1930 Harley-Davidson VL Models - Parkerized
$96.62

Colony #3246-1 Oil Pressure Switch Nipple 1958-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
1 review $8.47

Gasbox Oil Filter Front Motor Mount Plates for 1957 - 1981 Harley-Davidson Ironhead Sportster
4 reviews $49.95

Colony #3208-28 Rocker Box Screw Kit 1977 - 1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated — Colony #3208-28 Rocker Box Screw Kit 1977-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated
$51.70

Colony #3207-28 Rocker Box Screw Kit 1957 - 1976 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated — Colony #3207-28 Rocker Box Screw Kit 1957-1976 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated
$49.50

Colony #3203-4 Cam Follower Retainer Kit 1970 - early 1978 Harley-Davidson FL, 1971-early 1978 FX XL — Colony #3203-4 Cam Follower Retainer Kit 1970-E1978 Harley-Davidson FL 1971-E1978 FX/XL
2 reviews $36.30

Colony #3189-4 Chrome Rocker Arm Shaft Nut Set 1936 - 1947 Harley-Davidson Knuckleheads — Colony #3189-4 Rocker Arm Shaft Nut Set 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Knuckleheads - Chrome Plated
$65.99

Colony #3187-10 Valve Spring Cover Kit 1926 - 1934 Harley-Davidson Singles — Colony #3187-10 Valve Spring Cover Kit 1926-1934 Harley-Davidson Singles - Nickel Plated
1 review $60.50

Colony #3179-8 Rocker Arm Cover Fitting Nuts and Seals 1957 - 1984 Harley-Davidson FL FX XL XLH XLCH — Colony #3179-8 Rocker Arm Cover Fitting Nuts & Seals 1957-1984 Harley-Davidson FL/FX/XL/XLH/XLCH - CAD Plated
2 reviews $20.90

S&S Cycle Hooligan Kit - 883cc to 1200cc for 2000 - 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster Models - Wrinkle Black
3 reviews $1,640.66 $1,822.95

S&S Cycle S&S 1200cc Hooligan Kit for 2000 - 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportsters - Silver
1 review $1,568.66 $1,742.95

Colony #3152-1 Motor Sprocket Nut 1957-69 Harley Davidson Sportster XLCH — Colony #3152-1 Motor Sprocket Nut 1957-1969 Harley-Davidson Sportster XLCH - Parkerized
$9.68

Colony #2325-3 Oil Pump Plug Kit CAD 1952-54 Harley Davidson K KH — Colony #2325-3 Oil Pump Plug Kit 1952-1954 Harley-Davidson K/KH - CAD Plated
1 review $23.93

Colony #3113-5 Motor Case Breather Stud Parkerized Harley Davidson FL FLH 1958-63 — Colony #3113-5 Motor Case Breather Stud 1958-1963 Harley-Davidson FL/FLH - Parkerized
$57.20

#3095-1 Transmission Adjuster Screw Support Strap Chrome Harley Big Twins 1936-57 — Colony #3095-1 Transmission Adjuster Screw Support Strap 1936-1957 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome Plated
$21.78

#3094-1 Distributor Adjuster Plate Reproduction Harley-Davidson Twins 1947-64 — Colony #3094-1 Distributor Adjuster Plate 1947-1964 Harley-Davidson Twins/K/KH/Sportster
$14.52

#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 #8511 Complete Show Bike Kit Cap Style Hardware 1978-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead - Chrome Plated
1 review $400.47

Colony #8445-12 Timing Cover Cap Set 1936-1969 Harley-Davidson 74 & 61 cu. in. OHV - Chrome Plated
$34.40

Colony #7915 Complete Show Bike Kit Acorn Hardware 1976-1977 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $383.08

Colony #7907 Complete Show Bike Kit Acorn Hardware 1948-1957 Harley-Davidson Panhead - Chrome Plated
$383.08

Colony #3066-36 Valve Cover Kit 1939-1948 Harley-Davidson UL/ULH - CAD Plated
2 reviews $236.50

Colony #3036-22 Upper and Lower Motor Mount Kit 1937-1947 Harley-Davidson Big Twin Side Valve - Parkerized
1 review $43.82

Colony #3030-20 Upper Pushrod Covers Kit 1940-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - CAD Plated
$50.08

Colony #3028-4 Upper Inner Pushrod Covers 1957-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1936-1983 OHV Big Twin - Parkerized
3 reviews $34.05

Colony #3012-34 Stock Fastener Motor Case Kit 1936-1939 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Parkerized
2 reviews $51.70

Colony #3011-34 Stock Fastener Motor Case Kit 1940-1948 Harley-Davidson Flathead - Parkerized
$51.70

Colony #3010-34 Stock Fastener Motor Case Kit 1936-1939 Harley-Davidson Flathead - Parkerized
$51.70

Colony #1017-P Complete Show Bike Kit Smooth Allen Hardware 1971-1976 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$220.29

Colony #1017 Complete Show Bike Kit Allen Hardware 1971-1976 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
1 review $179.07

Colony #1010-P Complete Show Bike Kit Smooth Allen Hardware 1978-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead - Chrome Plated
$189.02

Colony #1010 Complete Show Bike Kit Allen Hardware 1978-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $150.65

Colony #2886-24 Valve Spring Cover Kit 1937-1938 Harley-Davidson Big Twin Side Valve - CAD Plated
1 review $198.00

Colony #9507-8 Cylinder Base Stud Set 1986-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster
$90.20

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