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 #8816-10-P Oil Pump Mounting Kit Chrome Smooth Allen Harley Sportster 1954-76
$11.53

Colony #8477-12 Oil Pump Screw Kit Chrome Cap Style Harley Big Twin 1978-91
$27.51

Colony #8472-3 Sprocket Cover Chrome Cap Nut Screw Kit Harley Sportster 77-85
$13.94

Colony #8471-14 Rocker Box High Crown Chrome Cap Bolt Kit Harley Sportster 1977-85
$60.12

Colony #8465-16 Heat Treated Chrome Cap Style Head Bolt Kit Harley Sportster 73-85 1000cc
$57.94

Colony #8460-20 Heat Treated Chrome Cap Style Head Bolt Kit Harley Knucklehead 1940-47
$66.63

Colony #8454-8 Cam Cover Chrome Cap Screw Kit Harley Sportster 1971-85
$28.25

Colony #8450-4 Lifter Base Chrome Cap Bolt Kit Harley Sportster 57-85
$15.52

Colony #8448-14 Rocker Box High Crown Chrome Cap Bolt Kit Harley Sportster 1957-76
$61.56

Colony #8439-13 Oil Pump Cap Nut / Block Off Plug Chrome Cap Nut Set Harley 1936-67
$20.70

Colony #2709-24-P Upper and Lower Motor Mount Kit Smooth Allen 2009-Up Harley-Davidson FLT - Chrome Plated
$36.30

Colony #2344-10-P Oil Pan Mounting Kit Smooth Allen 2006-Up Harley-Davidson Dyna - Chrome Plated
$21.60

Colony #7933 Complete Show Bike Kit Acorn Hardware Harley-Davidson 2007-up Twin Cam 88 Softail - Chrome Plated
$346.14

Colony #7906 Complete Show Bike Kit Acorn Hardware Harley-Davidson 1940-1947 Knucklehead - Chrome Plated
$395.76

Colony #3076-36 Valve Cover Kit 1939-1948 Harley-Davidson UL/ULH - Chrome Plated
$269.50

Colony #3061-14 Head Bolt Kit 1929-19347 Harley-Davidson Singles - Parkerized
$85.25

Colony #3029-12 Pushrod Covers 1940-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - CAD Plated
$54.67

Colony #3027-20 Upper Pushrod Covers Kit 1940-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Parkerized
$50.08

Colony #3026-12 Pushrod Covers 1940-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Parkerized
$54.67

Colony #1004-P Complete Show Bike Kit Smooth Allen Hardware Harley-Davidson 1992-1999 Softail - Chrome Plated
$251.56

Colony #9935-8-P Transmission to Motor Mount Kit Smooth Allen 1999-2006 Harley-Davidson Twin Cam - Chrome Plated
$14.34

Colony #9881-2 Generator Screw Kit Stock 1971-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Zinc Plated
$7.51

Colony #9757-2-P Generator Smooth Allen Mounting Screws 1957-1970 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$13.55

Colony #2994-8-P Center Motor Mount Kit Smooth Allen 1992 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$13.02

Colony #2993-8-P Center Motor Mount Kit Smooth Allen 1986-1990 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$13.02

Colony #2955-34 Rocker Arm Cover Screw Kit 1938 Harley-Davidson 61" OHV - Parkerized
$52.36

Colony #2911-2 Crank Pin Nut Set 1915-1936 Harley-Davidson All Twins - CAD Plated
$23.75

Colony #2468-8-P Transmission to Motor Mount Smooth Allen Kit 2007-Up Harley-Davidson Softail/Dyna/FLT - Chrome Plated
$14.34

Colony #2229-16 Motor Mount Kit Acorn 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$55.28

Colony #2223-11 Cam Cover Acorn Screw Kit 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated
$35.70

Colony #2171-17 Clutch Cover Mounting Kit Allen 2002-Up Harley-Davidson VRSC - Chrome Plated
$20.31

Colony #2168-22-P Cam Cover Mounting Kit Smooth Allen 2002-Up Harley-Davidson VRSC - CAD Plated
$39.25

Colony #3441-13 Motor Mounting Kit 2017-Up Harley-Davidson Touring Models - Chrome Plated
$24.88

Colony #3440-12 Motor Case Mounting Kit 2017-Up Harley-Davidson Touring Models - Chrome Plated
$45.01

Colony #3439-20 Rocker Box Mounting Kit 2017-Up Harley-Davidson Touring Models - Chrome Plated
$51.04

Colony #3307-4 Intake and Exhaust Rocker Arm Cover Return Oil Line Nuts 1938-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
$21.56

Colony #3272-1 Relief Pipe Nut 1926-1931 Harley-Davidson Singles 1929-1931 45 Twins - CAD Plated
$10.89

Colony #3285-18 Head Bolt Aluminum Washer Set Harley-Davidson Flathead (Aluminum Head) OEM# 16822-39 - CAD Plated
$44.00

Colony #3123-20 Knurled Allen Rocker Cover Mounting Kit 2017-Up Harley-Davidson Touring Models - Chrome Plated
$31.68

Colony #3123-20-P Smooth Head Allen Rocker Cover Mounting Kit 2017-Up Harley-Davidson Touring Models - Chrome Plated
$44.44

Colony #3212-2 Front Cylinder Head Bolt 1942 Harley-Davidson WLA - Parkerized
$10.89

Colony #3166-1 Timer Screw 1970-E1978 Harley-Davidson FL 1971-E1978 FX/XL - Zinc Plated
$9.68

Colony #3191-4 Rocker Arm Shaft Nut Set 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Knuckleheads - Parkerized
$65.99

Colony #3190-4 Rocker Arm Shaft Nut Set 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Knuckleheads - CAD Plated
$65.99

Colony #9821-4-P Oil Filter Adaptor Mounting Kit Smooth Allen 1992-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Chrome Plated
$5.58

Colony #3141-16 Lower Pushrod Cover Kit 2017-Up Harley-Davidson Touring Models - Chrome Plated
$66.63

Colony #3127-20 Headbolt Kit 1940-1947 Harley-Davidson Knuckleheads - Parkerized
$76.99

Colony #3103-17 Motor Case Stock Style Hardware Kit 1937-1939 Harley-Davidson 45s
$35.42

Colony #8523 Complete Show Bike Kit Cap Style Hardware Harley-Davidson 1992-1995 Softail Dyna Glide - Chrome Plated
$325.86

Colony #8522 Complete Show Bike Kit Cap Style Hardware Harley-Davidson 1991-2003 Sportster - Chrome Plated
$196.98

Colony #8518 Complete Show Bike Kit Cap Style Hardware Harley-Davidson 1985-1986 Big Twin Evo 5 Speed - Chrome Plated
$279.88

Colony #8510 Complete Show Bike Kit Cap Style Hardware Harley-Davidson 1970-1975 Shovelhead - Chrome Plated
$383.08

Colony #8509 Complete Show Bike Kit Cap Style Hardware Harley-Davidson 1966-1969 Shovelhead - Chrome Plated
$397.20

Colony #8508 Complete Show Bike Kit Cap Style Hardware Harley-Davidson 1958-1965 Panhead - Chrome Plated
$383.08

Colony #8507 Complete Show Bike Kit Cap Style Hardware Harley-Davidson 1948-1957 Panhead - Chrome Plated
$383.08

Colony #8505 Complete Show Bike Kit Cap Style Hardware Harley-Davidson 1936-1939 Knucklehead - Chrome Plated
$395.76

Colony #8469-13 Oil Pump Screw Cap Nut 1968-1977 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome Plated
$27.89

Colony #8467-24 Rocker Arm Cover Screw Cap Kit Harley-Davidson Panheads - Chrome Plated
$60.12

Colony #8466-7 Timing Cover Cap Screw Kit Harley-Davidson 74s - Chrome Plated
$23.54

Colony #8456-20 Head Bolt Kit Heat Treated 1936-1939 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Chrome Plated
$66.63

Colony #8455-16 Head Bolt Kit Heat Treated 1957-E1973 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$57.94

Colony #3024-34 Rocker Arm Cover Screw Kit 1939-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - CAD Plated
$14.81

Colony #3433-14 Front Stand Mount Kit 1925-1929 Harley-Davidson 61"/74" Twins/J/JD - Nickle Plated
$42.08

Colony #3375-3 Left Bearing Bushing Screw 1929-1936 Harley-Davidson 45"/74"/80" Twins/C Singles Twins
$19.06

Gasbox Strong Arm Top Motor Mount - 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Big Twin Evolution
$74.95

Colony #3781-10 Electric Terminal Plate 1954-1977 Harley-Davidson XLH 1970-1978 XLCH
$23.00

Colony #3782-10 Terminal Board Expansion Nut/Screw Kit 1954-1978 Harley-Davidson XL/XLH/XLCH
$14.30

Colony #3772-2 Spark Plug Hole Caps 1926-1934 Harley-Davidson Singles 1929-1955 Flatheads All Knuckleheads
$16.50

Colony #3771-20 Rocker Cover Allen Screw Kit 2017-Up Harley-Davidson Touring Models - Chrome Plated
$44.44

James Gaskets Primary Cover Gasket 1983-1993 Harley-Davidson Softail & Dyna Models
$36.23

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

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

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