The Basket Case Sportster

**Paul in NZ** · 22nd December 2010, 11:13

Theres a very good chance you would end up with a worse pile of munt than you already have albeit in one oily lump. I guess complete HD motors must be about but....

Expensive business restoring / rebuilding bikes.

HD parts are usually pretty cheap (relatively) and nothing is ever beyond hope...

**Getting Old** · 22nd December 2010, 11:50

I hear what you are saying Paul. I have been looking at prices through the states for all new parts and basically just
using my crank case and to be honest it's a lot cheaper than i thought it would be.

**Paul in NZ** · 22nd December 2010, 11:59

Originally Posted by Getting Old

I hear what you are saying Paul. I have been looking at prices through the states for all new parts and basically just
using my crank case and to be honest it's a lot cheaper than i thought it would be.

Fortunately Iron Head sporties seem to blow up heaps generating a good aftermarket industry. The other good thing is, apparently they are fun to ride hence the blowing up ;-)

**popelli** · 24th December 2010, 12:45

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

Fortunately Iron Head sporties seem to blow up heaps generating a good aftermarket industry. The other good thing is, apparently they are fun to ride hence the blowing up ;-)

put together properly they are fast and reliable

I have owned a few iron heads and have done a ground up rebuild on my 77 and have rebuild a 80 motor and know a little about them

my advice buy a factory manual

other advice 76 had a stupid cross over gear change linkage, ditch it and go for the earlier right hand side gear change the earlier parts fit straight it

pm me if you need any advice I have factory parts and workshop manuals and can email you copies of what you need

**blackdog** · 30th December 2010, 22:29

would this help?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-341663032.htm

**sinfull** · 30th December 2010, 22:50

Originally Posted by popelli

put together properly they are fast and reliable

I have owned a few iron heads and have done a ground up rebuild on my 77 and have rebuild a 80 motor and know a little about them

my advice buy a factory manual

other advice 76 had a stupid cross over gear change linkage, ditch it and go for the earlier right hand side gear change the earlier parts fit straight it

pm me if you need any advice I have factory parts and workshop manuals and can email you copies of what you need

Wanna sell your 77 ?

**The Lone Rider** · 30th December 2010, 23:22

Originally Posted by Getting Old

Hey guys I have been on here a while now but this is my 1st post so not sure if I have landed it in the right place or not.
A mate of mine has kindly given me a 1976 Harley Davidson sportster that belonged to her late husband who unfortunately died during it's rebuild.
The bike to put it bluntly a complete basket case and one hell of a jigsaw puzzle to say the least.
It is in a 1000 pieces and is gunna take some work to get her back together, I feel the biggest problem will be sourcing
the missing bits.
Anyway watch this space guys as I am on a mission to get the old girl on the road as quick as I can.

At this point a big thank you has to go out to Carl (Who is no doubt a member on here) for his help last night in sorting and identifying
parts, I am stoked to have you by my side on this build for without the titivating conversation and your overall mechanical
experience with bikes I am sure this project would take far more time then it is going to.

Kiwibiker is the wrong place for getting that together.

Go to greasemonkeys.co.nz

Chances are some of them will not only be able to come over and give you a hand putting it together, but will have some spare parts and even help you customize it as you go.

**popelli** · 2nd January 2011, 05:15

Originally Posted by sinfull

Wanna sell your 77 ?

No - not until hd build something better looking

**popelli** · 2nd January 2011, 05:18

Originally Posted by The Lone Rider

Kiwibiker is the wrong place for getting that together.

possibly - very few iron heads on kiwi biker

try the Jockey Journal forum, its based primarily around triumph, bsa, iron head and shovel head motors

**vj paul** · 2nd January 2011, 20:17

I have just fully rebuild a 76 iron and cost me near on 2 grand,but with a few up grades,cv carb and 80S electronic ignition.
76 years didnt have magneto.
With the 76 cases you have the option of kick start and going right shift as well,
i have work shop manuals and parts catalogs if you need info
Rebuild the oil pump as it cant be done while engine is in the frame, check your oil transfer valve is working also i wouldnt run shims on the cams as well, these get chewed up,
These engines are easy to rebuild and run strong
i have plenty of info if you need anything
Paul

**popelli** · 2nd January 2011, 20:59

Originally Posted by vj paul

i wouldnt run shims on the cams as well, these get chewed up,

how are you taking up the end float on the cams?

without shims or making custom made bushes to take up the end float the motor is going to rattle like £uck

**popelli** · 2nd January 2011, 21:00

Originally Posted by vj paul

i wouldnt run shims on the cams as well, these get chewed up,

how are you taking up the end float on the cams?

without shims or making custom made bushes to take up the end float the motor is going to rattle like £uck

**vj paul** · 3rd January 2011, 08:12

Originally Posted by popelli

how are you taking up the end float on the cams?

without shims or making custom made bushes to take up the end float the motor is going to rattle like £uck

Harley put a service bulletin back in the 80s outlining this,
there have been ongoing debates about this for years,
I will find the bulletin and post it later.
On my rebuild i did put shims in but due to a leak i ended up taking the cam case off when i found the shims chewed up on all cams.