View Full Version : Ironhead help
sportster
2nd May 2011, 10:49
Hi All
I have a 1981 Ironhead Sportster and it runs okay but I believe it needs tune and service, Question is who is the best place to go for the type of bike.
KTL or Amps. Alternatively can any one help as I am keen to learn myself. I am based in Auckland
Thanks
k1w160
3rd May 2011, 13:35
A few years ago when I had an XLX45, no one wanted to know about it cause it was too old, but I heard about the following crowd, and as their still on the web, they should still be there:
Ironhead Sportsters
5 Glenburn Place
Papakura
Manukau
(09) 298 1396
sportster
3rd May 2011, 19:31
Thanks, I will give then a try
vj paul
22nd May 2011, 16:41
A few years ago when I had an XLX45, no one wanted to know about it cause it was too old, but I heard about the following crowd, and as their still on the web, they should still be there:
Ironhead Sportsters
5 Glenburn Place
Papakura
Manukau
(09) 298 1396
The guys name is tim
i have tried looking for this guy for a while,but never did find him
ask moose at ktl he might be your best bet of doing it.
Timing these bikes are easy, just do it yourself or i can give you a hand if you want.
Paul
sportster
25th May 2011, 21:48
Hi vj Paul happy to give it ago myself just new to owning an iron head so would be good to hear from someone who can tell me all the noises I hear are normal, I leave in Ranui pm me if you don't mind having a look, happy to buy you some beers.
sinfull
26th May 2011, 07:54
The guys name is tim
i have tried looking for this guy for a while,but never did find him
ask moose at ktl he might be your best bet of doing it.
Timing these bikes are easy, just do it yourself or i can give you a hand if you want.
Paul
Hi vj Paul happy to give it ago myself just new to owning an iron head so would be good to hear from someone who can tell me all the noises I hear are normal, I leave in Ranui pm me if you don't mind having a look, happy to buy you some beers.quoting the post helps prompt others that you've replyed to them dude !
Good luck with the tune and enjoy !
Oh and any noise is normal in an IHead lol It's just how loud they get !
popelli
29th May 2011, 17:11
iron heads are very simple motors
not the quietest of motors, loads of mechanical noise
buy a genuine factory workshop manual - these turn up on ebay all the time
also try the jockey journal forum & the shovelhead forum loads of knowledge on those websites
are you running points or electronic ignition?
once ignition timing is set it should not need adjusting, with points you need to when replacing them just ensure that the points gap is always the same
replace condensers when you replace the points, condensers are cheap
pushrod adjustment is easy, at top dead centre the pushrods should spin freely without any vertical play
what carb are you running? if carb is not setup correctly you are best to find a shop with a dyno and get it set up properly
if you are looking at extracting any extra power look at sourcing a set of P cams, these were fitted up to 79 and should bolt straight into your bike, the later Q cams you have are a lot milder
bernardf
3rd July 2011, 22:41
Try this dude he does dyno tuning and should be able to help you
www.triplezeecycles.co.nz
sportster
4th August 2011, 21:23
iron heads are very simple motors
not the quietest of motors, loads of mechanical noise
buy a genuine factory workshop manual - these turn up on ebay all the time
also try the jockey journal forum & the shovelhead forum loads of knowledge on those websites
are you running points or electronic ignition?
once ignition timing is set it should not need adjusting, with points you need to when replacing them just ensure that the points gap is always the same
replace condensers when you replace the points, condensers are cheap
pushrod adjustment is easy, at top dead centre the pushrods should spin freely without any vertical play
what carb are you running? if carb is not setup correctly you are best to find a shop with a dyno and get it set up properly
if you are looking at extracting any extra power look at sourcing a set of P cams, these were fitted up to 79 and should bolt straight into your bike, the later Q cams you have are a lot milder
Thanks for the info, I have a few more things to do to it but it should be back on the road ready for summer.
popelli
5th August 2011, 22:24
Thanks for the info, I have a few more things to do to it but it should be back on the road ready for summer.
You need to find Richard Livingstone he is in Auckland somewhere and has run a variety of repair shops over the years
Talented machinist and engine builder, has build a few of my motors over the years
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.