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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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 #7623-8 Hi-Torq Cylinder Base Nut Set - Chrome Plated
$32.48

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 #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

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

British Standard Sludge Tube for your 650cc 750cc Triumph Motorcycle OEM # 70-3903
6 reviews $27.52

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

British Standard Points Cover Gasket Triumph Twins and Singles
8 reviews $5.30

British Standard Triumph Oil Seal-Timing Cover Points Seal- OEM part# 70-4568
12 reviews $13.24

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 #9633-50 Flatwashers Harley-Davidson FL/FX/XL OEM# 6099 - Chrome Plated
6 reviews $14.52

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

Lowbrow Customs Triumph Oil Feed Brass Rocker Box Acorn Nuts and Copper Washers
18 reviews $28.93

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

British Standard Rotor Key - Triumph Unit 650 750
2 reviews $8.37

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 #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

British Standard Rocker Box Gaskets 1963-1970 Triumph 650cc T120 Bonneville/TR6/Tiger
$8.19

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

British Standard OIF Sump Gasket Triumph T140 750 A65 TR6 TR7
1 review $5.78

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 #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

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