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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Colony #3014-34 Stock Fastener Motor Case Kit 1948-1964 Harley-Davidson Panhead - Parkerized
2 reviews $51.70

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

Colony #8602-20 Oversize Stroker Upper Pushrod Cover Kit 1940-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead & All Shovelhead - Chrome Plated
1 review $50.08

Colony #7507-20 Upper Pushrod Cover Kit 1957-1985 Sportster 1948-1965 Panhead - Chrome Plated
3 reviews $50.08

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

Gasbox Top Motor Mount - 2007-up Harley-Davidson Sportster - With EFI Coil and Stock Ignition Switch Mounts
10 reviews $49.95

Colony #2620-7 Frame Brace Upper Connection Kit 1937-1979 Harley-Davidson Sidecars - Parkerized
1 review $49.50

Colony #9944-24-P Rocker Box Smooth Allen Mounting Kit 1999-Up Harley-Davidson Twin Cam 88 Dyna/FLT 2000-Up Twin Cam 88B Softail - Chrome Plated
$24.71

Colony #9927-28 Upper & Lower Motor Mounting Allen Kit 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail - Chrome Plated
$49.25

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

Gasbox 2007-2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster EFI Coil Adapter for Gasbox Top Motor Mounts
$24.00

Colony #9521-22 Upper & Lower Motor Mount Kit 1937-1947 Harley-Davidson Big Twin Side Valve - Chrome Plated
$47.80

Cycle Standard Rocker Oil Lines - Chrome - 1957-85 Harley-Davidson Sportsters
4 reviews $23.86

Colony #2205-4 Swing Arm Pivot Hex Bolts 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail - Chrome Plated
$47.38

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

Colony #3717-16 Black Headbolt Set 1973-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster
$45.27

Colony #9928-20 Motor Mounting Allen Kit 1988-2006 Harley-Davidson FLT/FLHT/FXR/FXRS - Chrome Plated
1 review $44.89

Colony #2963-20 Grade 8 CP 1038 Head Bolt Kit 1948-1976 Harley-Davidson Pangead/Shovelhead - Parkerized
$43.99

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 #3678-16 Lower Motor Mount Kit 1936-1957 Harley-Davidson OHV Big Twins - Parkerized
$40.70

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

Colony #9213-4 Upper Inner Pushrod Covers 1979-Up Harley-Davidson Shovelhead 1984-Up Evo 1986-1990 XL
1 review $39.11

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 #2946-1 Cylinder Bracket for Aluminum Heads 1936-1952 Harley-Davidson WL 45 1936-1973 Servi-car - CAD Plated
$37.00

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

James Gaskets Cam Change Gasket Kit with Metal Cam Cover Gasket - 1993-99 Harley-Davidson 80 inch Big Twin
$36.14

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

Colony #2988-3 Crankcase Breather Stud and Pipe 1939-1947 Harley-Davidson Knuckleheads - Parkerized
$36.00

Colony #9644-2 Oil Screen Plug 1981-Up Harley-Davidson FL/FX - Chrome Plated
$11.96

Colony #9772-22-P Lower Motor Mount Smooth Allen Kit 1986-1998 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
1 review $35.87

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

James Gaskets Primary Cover Gasket & Seal Kit 2004-2022 Harley-Davidson XL
$35.61

Colony #9697-17 Motor Case Stock Fastener Kit 1940-1973 Harley-Davidson 45's - Parkerized
1 review $35.42

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 #3253-8 Tappet Screw & Nut Kit 1957-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster
$34.65

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

Colony #7808-4 Upper Pushrod Covers (Inner) 1957-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1936-Early 1979 OHV Big Twins
3 reviews $34.05

Colony #2305-12 Electrical Terminal Plate 1949-1957 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
3 reviews $33.84

Colony #2668-21 Lower Motor Mount Acorn Kit 1993-2003 Harley Sportster - Chrome Plated
1 review $33.67

Colony #8789-28-P Rocker Box Smooth Allen Bolt Kit 1957-1976 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$33.50

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 #7603-4 Lower Motor Mount Kit Acorn Nut 1936-1984 Harley-Davidson OHV Big Twins - Chrome Plated
6 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 #3692-1 Valve Spring Lifter 1939-1948 Harley-Davidson UL/ULH Sidevalves
$30.80

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

Lowbrow Customs FiltroMax Big Twin Bracket - Black
3 reviews $29.39

Colony #9639-22 Electrical Terminal Plate 1970-1977 Harley-Davidson FL/FX - CAD Plated
$29.24

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

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