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 #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

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

British Standard Ignition Pillar Bolt - Triumph / BSA
7 reviews $7.60

EMGO Triumph Gasket- Oil Pump- OEM part# 71-3910
5 reviews $3.02

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

Colony #3170-12 Rubber Pushrod Cover Seals 1936-79 Harley Davidson Panhead Shovelhead — Colony #3170-12 Rubber Pushrod Cover Seals 1936-1979 Harley-Davidson Panhead/Shovelhead
2 reviews $7.45

Colony #3025-34 Rocker Arm Cover Screw Kit 1939-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Parkerized
1 review $14.81

Colony #2624-2 Oil Pump Cover Oil Pipe Nipple 1950-1964 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
3 reviews $7.26

James Gaskets Points Cover Gasket 1971-1978 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
$0.96

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 #9603-2 Oil Screen Plug 1952-1965 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Chrome Plated
$14.34

Colony #8709-8 Lifter Base Screw Kit 1976-Up Harley-Davidson Big Twin - CAD Plated
1 review $14.34

Colony #8230-2 Cylinder Head Bolt Spacers 1937-1973 Harley-Davidson 45's - CAD Plated
$13.94

Colony #7612-3 Oil Line/Vent Line Fittings Pre-1965 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
1 review $13.94

Colony #2745-2 Oversized Ignition Timer Cover Stud Kit 1972-1979 Harley-Davidson Big Twin - Zinc Plated
$13.92

Colony #2363-3 Wheel Cylinder 3/8"-24 Banjo Bolt 1958-1972 Harley-Davidson FL/FLH - CAD Plated
$13.92

James Gaskets Transmission Top Cover Gasket - 1984-1998 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 5-Speed
$6.93

Colony #9624-16 Cylinder Base Nuts Harley-Davidson Sportster & 45's - Parkerized
$13.78

James Gaskets Generator Mounting Gasket 1958-1983 Harley-Davidson Big Twin
$0.81

Colony #9942-16 Lifter Base Mounting Allen Kit 1999-up Harley-Davidson Twin Cam 88 Dyna/FLT 2000-Up Twin Cam 88B Softail - Chrome Plated
$13.40

Colony #9793-9-P Upper Motor Mount Smooth Allen Kit 1986-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$13.40

Colony #2762-3 Starter Crank Bushings and Seal Kit 1937-1967 Harley-Davidson Big Twins
$13.31

Colony #9771-8-P Center Motor Mount Kit Smooth Allen Kit 1991 & 1993-2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
2 reviews $13.02

Colony #9842-8 Rocker Shaft End Nut Kit 1936-1947 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead - Parkerized
$6.38

Colony #2735-1 Oil Line Fitting Replaces OEM# 63533-41 - CAD Plated
$4.24

Colony #2853-6 Upper Engine Mounting Kit 1984-1999 Harley-Davidson Softail - Zinc Plated
1 review $12.71

Colony #8772-2 Timing Cover Oil Passage Bolt 1963-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twin OEM# 25218-63 - CAD Plated
$11.96

Colony #8402-2 Point Cover Acorn Head Screws 1971-Up Harley-Davidson Shovelhead & Sportster - Chrome Plated
3 reviews $5.96

Colony #8211-2 Sprocket Shaft Seal Assembly 1939-1973 Harley-Davidson 45's
3 reviews $3.89

Colony #8747-12 Oil Pump Mounting Kit 1978-1991 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead/Evo - Chrome Plated
$11.53

Colony #2578-4 Top Motor Mount Hardware Kit 1948-1951 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Parkerized
$11.20

Colony #9875-2 Oil Screen Plug 1966-1969 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - CAD Plated
$11.14

Colony #9402-1 Timing Plug 1970-Up Harley-Davidson OEM# 720 - Chrome Plated
$11.00

Colony #8816-10 Oil Pump Mounting Allen Kit 1954-1976 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$10.42

Colony #7817-1 Acorn Head Motor Sprocket Nut 1957-Up Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
$10.37

Colony #9674-1 Long Oil Pump Nut Pre-1967 Harley-Davidson All Models - Parkerized
$5.18

Colony #9306-7 Timing Cover Screw Kit 1970-1980 Harley-Davidson Shovelhead - CAD Plated
$10.04

Colony #9684-10 Circuit Breaker & Relay Screw Kit 1936-1984 Harley-Davidson OHV Twins - Parkerized
1 review $10.04

Colony #8488-10 Cylinder Head Bolt Washers 1948-Up Harley-Davidson OEM# 6469 - Chrome Plated
$9.96

Colony #2809-3 Clutch and Brake Hand Lever Clamp Bushing Kit 1949-1964 Harley-Davidson All Models - CAD Plated
$9.90

Colony #3386-8 Cam Cover Allen Screw Kit 1971-1985 Harley-Davdison Sportster XL Models
$9.68

Colony #3238-2 Oil Pump Cover Nipple 1950 - 1964 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome — Colony #3238-2 Oil Pump Cover Nipple 1950-1964 Harley-Davidson Big Twins - Chrome Plated
1 review $9.68

Colony #2828-1 Crankcase and Chain Housing Drain Plug 1965-1984 Harley-Davidson FL 1971-1984 FX 1967-1992 XL - Chrome Plated
$9.68

Colony #9525-1 Oil Pump Check Valve Plug 1936-1980 Harley-Davidson Big Twin 1937-Up UL/45s - Parkerized
$9.56

Colony #9528-1 Oil Pump Bypass Valve Plug 1936-1952 Harley-Davidson OHV Big Twins - Parkerized
$9.56

Colony #8782-4-P Lifter Base Smooth Allen Screw Kit 1957-1990 Harley-Davidson Sportster - Chrome Plated
1 review $9.56

Colony #9960-1 Oversize Plated Allen Timing Plug 11/16"-16 Threads Harley-Davidson OEM# 720 - Chrome Plated
1 review $9.56

Colony #2376-1 Crank Pin and Sprocket Shaft Nut Harley-Davidson OEM# 8010
$9.08

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