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

Sort by

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 #2215-4 Swing Arm Pivot Hex Bolts 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail - Chrome Plated
3 reviews $27.07

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

James Gaskets Primary Cover Gasket 1952-1969 Harley-Davidson XL
$8.87

James Gaskets Primary Cover Gasket 1977-1990 Harley-Davidson XL
$8.84

Colony #2440-2 Crankcase Vent Fitting and Hose 1977-1980 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Zinc Plated
2 reviews $13.22

Cometic Gasket Inc. Cam Change Gasket Kit - 1993-99 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
$26.20

Cometic Gasket Inc. Cam Change Gasket Kit - 1970-92 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
$26.20

Colony #9832-28 Rocker Box Hex Screw Kit 1977-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated
$25.84

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

Colony #9413-19 Timing Cover Screw Kit Stock 1937-1973 Harley-Davidson 45s - CAD Plated
$25.28

Colony #3780-18 Rocker Box Flange Nut Kit 1966-1983 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead - Chrome Plated
$25.00

Colony #9817-15 Electrical Terminal Plate 1970-1974 Harley-Davidson FX/XL - Parkerized
2 reviews $25.00

Colony #8736-24 Valve Cover Screws 1954-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead With Steel D-Rings - Chrome Plated
$24.71

Colony #7411-2 Sprocket Shaft Seal Assembly Replaces 1936-1954 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
1 review $24.26

Colony #2101-12 Timing Cover Phillips Screw Kit 1950-1952 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Chrome Plated
$24.20

Colony #3282-4 Rocker Arm Cover Gasket Kit 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
$12.10

Colony #2704-3 Crankcase Oil Strainer Kit 1957-1976 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1937-1973 Flatheads
2 reviews $12.10

Colony #3351-4 Rocker Arm Thrust Washer Kit 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
$12.09

Colony #9833-24 Rocker Cover Allen Screw Kit 1985-Up Harley-Davidson FL/FX 1986-Up XL - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $23.91

Colony #8778-12 Rocker Box Mounting Kit 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Chrome Plated
$22.80

Colony #2364-16 Lifter Base Screw Kit 1954-1975 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $22.78

Colony #9100-8 Cylinder Base Nut Set 1978-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead OEM# 16838-78 - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $22.75

Colony #2226-4-P Sprocket Cover Smooth Allen Kit 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$11.17

Colony #3800-24 OEM Style Valve Cover Screw 1948-1950 Harley-Davidson Panhead
$22.00

Colony #2850-24 Stock Style Panhead Valve Cover Screw Kit 1951-1954 Harley-Davidson Panhead
1 review $22.00

Colony #8780-4 Pushrod Tappet Adjuster Locknuts Harley-Davidson OHV Big Twins/45's/XL/K models OEM# 18570-38
1 review $11.00

Colony #2650-13 Top Motor Mount Hardware 1957-E1972 Harley-Davidson XL 1952-1972 Big Twin - Parkerized
1 review $21.78

Colony #9634-4 Oil Pump Check & Relief Valve Plugs 1981-Up Harley-Davidson FL/FX - Chrome Plated
1 review $21.73

Colony #8438-16 Cylinder Base High Crown Cap Nut Set 1957-1985 Sportster 1969-Up Triumph - Chrome Plated
$21.60

Colony #9795-12 Timing Cover Screw Kit 1/4-20 After Market Harley-Davidson Cases - CAD Plated
$21.30

Colony #9621-12 Timing Cover Screw Kit 1936-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
2 reviews $21.30

Colony #8150-12 Timing Cover Screw Kit 1936-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
$21.30

Colony #8101-6 Swingarm End Cover Kit 1973-1984 Harley-Davidson FX/FL 1979-1992 XL 1981-1987 FXR - Chrome Plated
1 review $21.12

Colony #7826-1 Motor Sprocket Nut 7/8-14 Threads 1955-1976 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
1 review $20.90

Colony #9946-20-P Cam Cover Mounting Kit Smooth Allen Kit 1999-Up Harley-Davidson Twin Cam 88 Dyna/FLT 2000-Up Twin Cam 88B Softail - Chrome Plated
3 reviews $20.85

Colony #2370-8 Cylinder Head Motor Brace Mounting Kit 1966-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead - CAD Plated
2 reviews $20.85

Colony #2368-8 Cylinder Head Motor Brace Mounting Kit 1948-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead - Parkerized
$20.85

Colony #9751-11 Cam Cover Allen Screw Kit 1986-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster 86-Up - Chrome Plated
3 reviews $20.85

Colony #8931-16 Rocker Cover Allen Head Screw Kit 1985-Up Harley-Davidson FL/FX 1986-Up XL - Chrome Plated
3 reviews $20.85

Colony #2146-2 Tappet Oil Screen & Spring 1970-1999 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
2 reviews $10.42

Colony #9102-8 Cylinder Base Nut Set 1978-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead OEM# 16838-78 - Black Oxide
2 reviews $20.35

Colony #2308-2 Rocker Arm Cover to Frame Bracket Stud Kit 1978-1985 Harley-Davidson XL/XLCH - Zinc Plated
2 reviews $20.31

Colony #7705-4 Knucklehead Rocker Box Drain Tube Fitting Kit
$20.31

Colony #3711-4 Rocker Arm Spacer Kit 1966-1984 Harley-Davidson FL 1971-1984 FX
$20.00

Colony #8894-9 Cam Cover Screw Kit 1952-1970 Harley-Davidson K/KH/XL/XLCH/XLH - Chrome Plated
$20.00

Colony #8895-9 Cam Cover Screw Kit 1952-1970 Harley-Davidson K/KH/XL/XLCH/XLH - CAD Plated
$19.80

Colony #8779-12 Rocker Box Mounting Kit 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - CAD Plated
$19.51

Colony #3403-8 Cylinder Base Stud Spacers 1978-1984 Harley-Davidson Shovelheads - Zinc Plated
1 review $19.51

Colony #8861-8 Cylinder Base Stud Spacer 1978-1984 Harey-Davidson Shovelhead - Black
1 review $19.51

Colony #3138-4 Rocker Arm Oil Line Fitting Kit 1957-84 Harley Davidson — Colony #3138-4 Rocker Arm Oil Line Fitting Kit 1966-1984 Harley-Davidson FL/FX 1957-1984 XL - Parkerized
1 review $19.36

Colony #2898-1 Motor Sprocket Nut 1970-1990 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$19.36

Colony #2494-3 Ignition Module Side Cover Button Allen Screw Kit 1986-2002 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
3 reviews $6.38

Colony #9762-16-P Oil Pump Mounting Kit 1992-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome Plated
$18.62

Colony #3023-34 Rocker Arm Cover Screw Kit 1939-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Chrome Plated
1 review $18.51

#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 #2917-1 Motor Sprocket Nut 1970-1988 Harley-Davidson Sportster
$18.15

Colony #9215-2 Oil Fill Plug Drain Plug 1948-1966 2 Cycle Harley-Davidson 125/165/175 - CAD Plated
$17.92

Colony #9529-12 Pushrod Cover O-Ring Seal Kit Harley-Davidson Big Twin Evo/Twin Cam/Sportster
3 reviews $8.78

Colony #2623-1 Oil Pressure Switch Nipple 1939-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
$8.47

Colony #9835-8 Chrome Countersink Washer Set for 5/16" Flat Head Socket Harley-Davidson - Chrome Plated
$16.73

Colony #2520-1 Timer Wire Clip 1938-1965 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - CAD Plated
1 review $5.57

Colony #9623-16 Cylinder Base Nuts 1936-1978 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Parkerized
3 reviews $15.64

Colony #2409-1 Pinion Gear Nut 1954-1989 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$15.40

Colony #3171-12 Rubber Pushrod Cover Seals 1936-79 Harley Davidson Knucklehead Sportster — Colony #3171-12 Rubber Pushrod Cover Seals 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead 1957-1979 Sportster
1 review $7.45

STAY CONNECTED
WITH LOWBROW

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