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.

Motorcycle Engine

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British Standard Timing Cover Gasket for unit Triumph Motorcycles OEM #71-7263
8 reviews $8.79

Colony #9797-20-P Front Motor Mount Smooth Allen Kit 1957-1985 Harley-Davidson Ironhead Sportster - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $60.83

Grant Piston Rings Piston Rings for Triumph 650 c.c. Motorcycles - STD
2 reviews $60.45

Colony #8608-36 Rocker Box Nut Kit 1966-1983 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $20.11

Colony #2369-8 Cylinder Head Motor Brace Mounting Kit 1948-1965 Harley-Davidson Panhead - CAD Plated
6 reviews $19.48

Colony #8942-14 Frame Electrical Terminal Screws & Fittings 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Big Twins 45's - CAD Plated
$14.52

Lowbrow Customs Triumph Oil Feed Chrome Rocker Box Acorn Nuts and Copper Washers #70-1435 70-1335
11 reviews $28.93

Colony #2078-18 Lower Rocker Box Mounting Kit Harley-Davidson Evo Big Twin and Sportster
14 reviews $28.00

Colony #2538-2 Ignition Timer Cover Stud Kit 1972-1979 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Zinc Plated
1 review $13.92

James Gaskets Primary Cover & Inspection Cover Gasket Kit 1984-1986 Harley-Davidson FL/FLH/FX/FXE/FXWG 1984-1988 Softail
$55.23

Colony #2916-2 Starter Shaft Nut and Spacer Kit 1965-1969 Harley-Davidson FL
1 review $27.50

Colony #7518-4 Aluminum Alloy Tubular Pushrods 1936-1947 61c.i. Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
$55.00

Colony #7123-4 Aluminum Alloy Pushrod Kits - 1957-1985 Harley-Davidson Harley-Davidson Sportster
2 reviews $55.00

Colony #7824-12 Pushrod Covers 1940-1947 Harley-Davidson Knuckleheads - Chrome Plated
$54.67

Colony #2070-1 Oil Line Fitting Chrome 1/8 NPT Thread for 3/8 inch Hose OEM# 63533-41 - Chrome Plated
5 reviews $4.54

British Standard Pushrod Tube Seal Kit - Triumph 650
18 reviews $26.46

British Standard Outer Gearbox Gasket for unit 650cc and 750cc Triumph Motorcycles 1963 and Up OEM #71-1448
12 reviews $8.77

James Gaskets Cam Change Gasket Kit - 2004-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster XL
$26.16

Colony #8126-34 Motor Case Kit Stock 1940-1948 Harley-Davidson Flathead - CAD Plated
$51.70

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

Colony #9668-19 Timing Cover Screw Kit 1937-1973 Harley-Davidson 45's - Parkerized
$25.28

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

British Standard Rocker Cover Washers - 4 Pack - Triumph Unit 500 650
5 reviews $6.86

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

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

British Standard Inner Gearbox Gasket for Unit 650 and 750 Triumph Motorcycles OEM Part #57-7012 or 71-3096
6 reviews $6.77

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 #9793-9 Upper Motor Mount Kit Allen 1986-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$12.67

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

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 #9771-8 Center Motor Mount Allen Screw Kit 1986-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
1 review $11.90

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

EMGO Triumph Oil Seal- High Gear for 4 Speed Triumph- OEM part# 57-0946
9 reviews $8.51

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

Kibblewhite Precision Machining Connecting Rod Wrist Pin Bushing for 650/750 Triumph 1963 - 1983 OEM # 70-0459
3 reviews $16.50

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