1979 Sportster
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Stage II
Joined: Feb 2006
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1979 Sportster
Hello, everyone! This is my first post and am here because I am buying my first HD, a 1979 Sportster that has been completely refurbished for $3,500.00. I am wanting to know about the particular maintainance requirements for this bike, in general. Also, wasn't the 1979 year manufactured by AMF? Any guidance regarding my first HD would be greatly appreciated!
Tourer
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RE: 1979 Sportster
The little I do know is yes AMF was sill making them in 1979. Keep your oil changed and Pushrod adjustments current and keep a pan under them cause they like to mark their territory. Enjoy it and ride safe. I have borrowed my Brother-in-laws and it is an 1980 and it is nice. I just did the rebuild on it Fun ride. I also have an 84 Custom Sporty and an 89 1200
Sporty and they are all great. Welcome and have fun and ride safe.
Penny
[IMG]local://upfiles/4130/18A81A699EAF494AABF49B6CFA9DBF15.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/4130/587D3B6C17F04F0ABFC4B6EA11EEC273.jpg[/IMG]
Sporty and they are all great. Welcome and have fun and ride safe.
Penny
[IMG]local://upfiles/4130/18A81A699EAF494AABF49B6CFA9DBF15.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/4130/587D3B6C17F04F0ABFC4B6EA11EEC273.jpg[/IMG]
Tourer
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From:
RE: 1979 Sportster
ORIGINAL: Haji4
The little I do know is yes AMF was sill making them in 1979. Keep your oil changed and Pushrod adjustments current and keep a pan under them cause they like to mark their territory.
The little I do know is yes AMF was sill making them in 1979. Keep your oil changed and Pushrod adjustments current and keep a pan under them cause they like to mark their territory.
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Stage II
Joined: Feb 2006
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RE: 1979 Sportster
Thanks a lot, Penny for the maintainance info. I know what it is like to tinker with pushrods. I used to own a 1973 VW microbus with the 1.2 litre horizontal engine and had to adjust the valve clearances on it every 6,000 miles or so. Being this is actually my first street bike (I had a dirt bike as a youth), it would be good for me to familiarize myself with motorcycle mechanics and care in general. The way I see it, I am getting a classic, beautiful motorcycle that I can learn to ride on without spending 6,000 or so for.
BTW, I am enrolling in a motorcycle safety course at the local community college. I feel I have a lot to learn as a new biker and besides, it is a 10% discount on my motorcycle liability insurance!
BTW, I am enrolling in a motorcycle safety course at the local community college. I feel I have a lot to learn as a new biker and besides, it is a 10% discount on my motorcycle liability insurance!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,092
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From: St. Petersburg Florida
RE: 1979 Sportster
You might want to check out the Ironhead forums in the Classics section from time to time. We just started it just for Ironhead sporties and we hope to get a lot of good information there.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
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From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
RE: 1979 Sportster
Welcome to da joint. yep, you have an AMF bike. No big deal; I had several. One of 'em was a hot rod chopped '72 Sporty and it is still on the road, last I heard. Other was a '78 FLH, also still chugging along. It had over 200,000 miles on it when I sold it.
Only difficulties you might run into with your '79 is it is the "bastid stepchild" of the Sporties. Many parts will fit nearly any Ironhead Sporty, but won't fit a '79. Just watch out what you buy for it.
Only difficulties you might run into with your '79 is it is the "bastid stepchild" of the Sporties. Many parts will fit nearly any Ironhead Sporty, but won't fit a '79. Just watch out what you buy for it.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: LaPlata,MD
RE: 1979 Sportster
My first bike was a 79 Sportster. A war horse took all I gave it! Believe me I was 19.. I rode the hell out of it !.
My advice, check bolts often!!!!! LOL I once thought I broke a a shock or something I was all over the place, felt like I was falling off!. Got the bike stopped looking around couldn't fine anything wrong. When I went to get up I used the seat to pull myself up.. there was the problem! the seat bolt was on it's last thread LOL only thing holding it on is the front lip which slide under a tap & 1 bolt in the back.
It was one of those king/ queen seats. Remember those? lol
Really though you will have to check for looses bolts do to vibration. No big deal
My advice, check bolts often!!!!! LOL I once thought I broke a a shock or something I was all over the place, felt like I was falling off!. Got the bike stopped looking around couldn't fine anything wrong. When I went to get up I used the seat to pull myself up.. there was the problem! the seat bolt was on it's last thread LOL only thing holding it on is the front lip which slide under a tap & 1 bolt in the back.
It was one of those king/ queen seats. Remember those? lol
Really though you will have to check for looses bolts do to vibration. No big deal
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: SW WA.
RE: 1979 Sportster
pococj is right,it's known as the bastard child because many parts are 1979 only.
Over all it's a fine scooter but some parts will be hard to get.
The exhaust system for instance will only fit a '79 and they can be expensive and hard to come by.
Over all it's a fine scooter but some parts will be hard to get.
The exhaust system for instance will only fit a '79 and they can be expensive and hard to come by.
