Where would you start?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,494
From: Decatur, Alabama
You can get a factory service and a parts manual on ebay on CD. Get them immediately. Ask all questions down in the ironhead forum on this website. Lots of knowledge down there.
As others said, change ALL fluids. Don't forget the front master cylinder. I would rebuild the carb completely. It should be a Zenith; very easy to do. Pull the tank out and clean it thoroughly. It is going to be full of rust. Replace the gas line, pull the petcock and replace it too. Having done all this, the fuel system will be pretty much clean and "shouldn't" give any problems.
Pull the plugs and pour a little oil in the cylinders. Put the bike on a stand and cycle it gently into 4th gear then rotate the rear wheel to move the pistons and get things going. Obviously, you will also need a battery, air filter, plugs, points, condensor, etc.
After all of the above is done and you have looked over the service manual, look up the procedure to adjust the pushrods and do it. It is a regular maintenance item and not hard to do.
Tires are your call as to whether you can do them yourself or not but when the wheels come off, repack or replace the wheel bearings!
When you get the thing first started and running, be gentle with the transmission. Don't try and force it into gear. I would expect the clutch to vibrate and be real sticky. If it's true to form it will jump into gear and die the first time you try to ride it. You will find out what else is wrong after riding it.
Read that service manual! It is your first line of defense for problems. Congratulations on entering the wonderful world of ironhead Harleys. I nearly bought a 74 back in the day but it had been already sold. That right foot shift might feel a little funky but you'll learn to love it i'm sure.
As others said, change ALL fluids. Don't forget the front master cylinder. I would rebuild the carb completely. It should be a Zenith; very easy to do. Pull the tank out and clean it thoroughly. It is going to be full of rust. Replace the gas line, pull the petcock and replace it too. Having done all this, the fuel system will be pretty much clean and "shouldn't" give any problems.
Pull the plugs and pour a little oil in the cylinders. Put the bike on a stand and cycle it gently into 4th gear then rotate the rear wheel to move the pistons and get things going. Obviously, you will also need a battery, air filter, plugs, points, condensor, etc.
After all of the above is done and you have looked over the service manual, look up the procedure to adjust the pushrods and do it. It is a regular maintenance item and not hard to do.
Tires are your call as to whether you can do them yourself or not but when the wheels come off, repack or replace the wheel bearings!
When you get the thing first started and running, be gentle with the transmission. Don't try and force it into gear. I would expect the clutch to vibrate and be real sticky. If it's true to form it will jump into gear and die the first time you try to ride it. You will find out what else is wrong after riding it.
Read that service manual! It is your first line of defense for problems. Congratulations on entering the wonderful world of ironhead Harleys. I nearly bought a 74 back in the day but it had been already sold. That right foot shift might feel a little funky but you'll learn to love it i'm sure.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
It should turn over unless the pistons are stuck,(depends on how and where it was stored)Do a compression test.The carb will probably need serious attention.Pull the fuel shutoff out of tank,to clean it.Change all the fluids,finally a new set of plugs,give her a go!
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Elmwood, IL
I will certainly post some pics as soon as I can. I hope to try and get it home this weekend. It is only about 5 miles away but I will need to lay it down on a trailer and drive SLOW to get it home.
I know the tank is still off since he painted it about 5 years ago so i shouldn't have to worry about rust too much.
I guess I need to get a manual first and make some room in the garage.
Any ideas on the speedo cable on why he would have removed it? i guess I need to move this to the ironhead forum...
I know the tank is still off since he painted it about 5 years ago so i shouldn't have to worry about rust too much.
I guess I need to get a manual first and make some room in the garage.
Any ideas on the speedo cable on why he would have removed it? i guess I need to move this to the ironhead forum...
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 537
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 990
Likes: 3
From: lakeside ca.
I know all you guys are right but the first thing I wnt to do when I get something is see what I actually have and try to make the engine start or at least try just so see if I have a dead player or something that can be made to run fairley easy. so I would attack it with carb cleaner and a lot of kicking after I see if has spark and oil..
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
From: Saint-Eustache, Québec
It is a real thrill to put back an old bike in order. I remember working on my Norton for months. It didn't run for years, I put the bike in pieces. Motor (top and bottom), transmission, steering, everything.
Once its all cleaned, oiled and put back together, time for the first start...
It fired up after 2 kicks, the feeling you get to ear it running is unbelivable.
Once its all cleaned, oiled and put back together, time for the first start...
It fired up after 2 kicks, the feeling you get to ear it running is unbelivable.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I had one of those that didn't run 3 years one summer....
..
Yep back in 72 I dropped a valve in the rear jug with <3k on her... after I had her redone she didn't do too bad,, just wouldn't come close to a cb750, in those days...
still lots of good times with her..
I tore her down to the frame, chopped, polished/chromed, hog rear tire, 6 over tubes and repainted her while the motor was being done..
Good luck on the build up...
..Yep back in 72 I dropped a valve in the rear jug with <3k on her... after I had her redone she didn't do too bad,, just wouldn't come close to a cb750, in those days...
still lots of good times with her..
I tore her down to the frame, chopped, polished/chromed, hog rear tire, 6 over tubes and repainted her while the motor was being done..
Good luck on the build up...
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 38
From: Landrum, SC , elevation 986'
I had one of those that didn't run 3 years one summer......
Yep back in 72 I dropped a valve in the rear jug with <3k on her... after I had her redone she didn't do too bad,, just wouldn't come close to a cb750, in those days...
still lots of good times with her..
I tore her down to the frame, chopped, polished/chromed, hog rear tire, 6 over tubes and repainted her while the motor was being done..
Good luck on the build up...
..Yep back in 72 I dropped a valve in the rear jug with <3k on her... after I had her redone she didn't do too bad,, just wouldn't come close to a cb750, in those days...
still lots of good times with her..
I tore her down to the frame, chopped, polished/chromed, hog rear tire, 6 over tubes and repainted her while the motor was being done..
Good luck on the build up...
LOL its funny that in the pic your right leg looks bigger than the left. lol
