1979 Sportster

[Basscase]

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!

[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. 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


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[burnie]

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.

Thats about all I know.

[Basscase]

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!

[SKJOLD]

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.

[pococj]

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.

[Tim]

Ride on brother, and send some pics! Tim

[John_O]

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

[Y2K]

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.

[orcas tow]

My first Harley was a 79 sporty, great bike but a pain in the a$$ to find a few parts for, pipes other than drag pipes, the oil tank cover on the right side & a good looking seat, enjoy!