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 Sportster Motorcycle Engine

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Colony #8864-4 Oil Filter Adaptor Screw Kit Allen Head 1986-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$10.76

Colony #2253-36 Adjustable Pushrod Cover Kit 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster
$140.00

Colony #2019-8 Rocker Shaft End Plug 1957-1970 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Chrome Plated
$43.45

Colony #2017-8 Head Bolt Washers 1984-Early 1985 Harley-Davidson Big Twin/XL - Chrome Plated
$34.76

Colony #9806-8 Oil Pump Mounting Bolt Kit Acorn Nut 1977-1990 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$15.14

Colony #9805-10 Oil Pump Mounting Nut Allen Screw Kit 1954-1976 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$19.12

Colony #9846-4 Lifter Base Screw Kit 1957-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated
$5.58

Colony #9844-5 Chrome Countersink Washer Set for 7/16" Flat Head Socket Harley-Davidson - Chrome Plated
$19.93

Colony #9775-8 Oil Pump Mounting Kit Acorn Nut 1991-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$15.14

Colony #9765-4 Lifter Base Acorn Screw Kit 1991-1994 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$15.14

Colony #2225-8 Lifter Base Screw Acorn Screw Kit 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$25.71

Colony #2224-8 Lifter Base Allen Screw Kit 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$11.90

Colony #2224-8-P Lifter Base Smooth Allen Screw Kit 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$17.88

Colony #2726-2 Pike Nut Spike Rear Axle Covers 2008-2012 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$54.14

Colony #2572-1 Sprocket and Pinion Shaft Nut 1981-1985 Harley-Davidson Sportster
$9.90

Colony #9774-8-P Oil Pump Mounting Kit Smooth Chrome Allen Harley Sportster 1991-up
$9.68

Colony #9760-4-P Lifter Base Smooth Chrome Allen Bolt Kit Harley Sportster 1995-03
$8.78

Colony #9759-4-P Lifter Base Smooth Chrome Allen Screw Kit Harley Sportster 1991-94
$9.56

Colony #9752-4-P Oil Filter Adaptor Smooth Chrome Screw Kit Harley XL 1986-1990
$7.96

Colony #9748-16-P Head Bolt Smooth Chrome Allen Bolt Kit Harley Sportster 1973-85
$52.87

Colony #9747-16-P Head Bolt Smooth Chrome Allen Kit Harley Sportster 1957-72
$49.25

Colony #8817-10-P Oil Pump Mounting Kit Chrome Smooth Chrome Allen Harley Sportster 1977-90
$10.79

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

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

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

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

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

James Gaskets Top End Gasket Kit 2007-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster
$119.93

Cycle Standard Isolator Mount - Rear - 2004-2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL
1 review $27.46

Colony #3658-8 Circuit Breaker To Coil Wire Fastener Assembly 1949-1964 Harley-Davidson Twins/K/KH/Sportster
$9.90

Colony #3401-16 Rocker Cover Allen Screw Kit 1985-Up Harley-Davidson FL/FX 1986-Up XL - CAD Plated
$13.55

Colony #3395-8 Oil Pump Mounting Kit 1991-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated
$5.32

Colony #3394-10 Oil Pump Mounting Kit 1977-1990 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated
$6.29

Colony #3648-16 Headbolt Set 1957-1972 Harley-Davidson Sportster - CAD Plated
$51.78

Cycle Standard Complete Rear Rubber Motor Mount Kit 2014-Up Harley-Davidson Sportsters
$156.38

Cycle Standard Tie Link - Chrome - 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportsters
2 reviews $60.26

S&S Cycle Hooligan Kit - 1200cc to 1250cc for 2000 - 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster Models - Silver
$1,640.66 $1,822.95

S&S Cycle Hooligan Kit - 1200cc to 1250cc for 2000 - 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster Models - Wrinkle Black
$1,640.66 $1,822.95

James Gaskets Complete Rocker Cover Gasket Kit 1986-1990 Harley-Davidson Sportster
$62.60

James Gaskets Top End Gasket Kit 1957-1971 Harley-Davidson Sportster
1 review $37.10

Colony #3671-1 Starter Solenoid Plunger Cover 1965-1988 Harley-Davidson Big Twins 1967-1980 XL
$9.68

Colony #3057-4 Lower Valve Spring Cover Kit 1952-1956 Harley-Davidson K Models
$88.00

Colony #3058-10 Rear Motor Mount & Sprocket Cover Mounting Kit 1983-1985 Harley-Davidson XL - Zinc Plated
$27.50

Colony #3051-1 Oversized Drain Plug 1965-1984 Harley-Davidson FL 1971-1984 FX Chain Housing 1967-1992 XL Crankcase - Zinc Plated
$7.26

Colony #3033-2 Rear Motor Mount Nut Kit 1962-1978 Harley-Davidson XL/XLH/XLCH
1 review $19.36

S&S Cycle Quickee Adjustable Pushrod Set With Chrome Covers- 2004-2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL
$294.26 $326.95

S&S Cycle High Performance Hydraulic Tappet Set - 1984-99 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1986-90 XL
1 review $343.76 $381.95

S&S Cycle Precision Hydraulic Tappet Set 2000-Up Harley-Davidson XL 2017-Up M8 1999-17 Twin Cam
$251.96 $279.95

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

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

Lowbrow Customs Rocker Box Oil Pressure Gauge Adapter Fitting - Chrome - 1966 - 1970 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead, 1957 - 1970 Sportster
2 reviews $27.74

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 #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

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