Bringing one back from the grave
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Stage II
Joined: Jul 2009
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Bringing one back from the grave
I came across a 1977 Sportster XL that had been sitting in someones storage for nearly 15 years. It has been in doors yet sat in cold Minnesota winters for the entire time. The owner of the bike said that for about the first 8 years he would pickle (put oil in the spark plug hole) the bike yearly. He claims he stopped riding it due to starter failure and starting a family. Now that I own it I'm wondering where do I start? I have a full service manual but this isn't a covered topic. Any pointers?
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: MA
I came across a 1977 Sportster XL that had been sitting in someones storage for nearly 15 years. It has been in doors yet sat in cold Minnesota winters for the entire time. The owner of the bike said that for about the first 8 years he would pickle (put oil in the spark plug hole) the bike yearly. He claims he stopped riding it due to starter failure and starting a family. Now that I own it I'm wondering where do I start? I have a full service manual but this isn't a covered topic. Any pointers?
welcome aboard..
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,691
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Change the fluids, clean the carb, flush the tank, put new spark plugs in, get a new battery. Pull the plugs, put some oil in the cylinders, put it in gear and push to turn it over a few times and get the oil spread around. Put the spark plugs back in and see if it starts. If not then go to your manual and start working through the trouble shooting.
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Stage II
Joined: Jul 2009
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Well I pulled the plugs put some oil down the cylinder and got the starter tested at a local shop and it was fine. I'm guessing there was a bad connection somewhere. I tried putting the bike in 1st and 2nd while it was on the jack and wasn't able to move the wheel by hand(the spark plugs were out). Correct me if I'm wrong but I should be able to spin it with no compression correct? Unless its just seated and once it's freed up it will turn over easier.
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