Questions about my 80 Sportster
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 357
Likes: 2
From: NC
Questions about my 80 Sportster
My son gave me custody of his 80 Sportster while he's deployed overseas.
I don't know **** about bikes but very mechanically inclined. I just did a total rewire on the bike. There was so much **** Gerry-Rigged, it's a wonder it ran. It was hard to start when I got it. Anyway, the rewire went well. It starts right up and runs great.
I just have some questions so I know what I have.
Ironhead right? Is it 1000cc or 1200?
The exhaust has a pipe connecting the two mufflers. I was told that I should keep it. My problem with that is the tach cable runs straight up between the mufflers and across the joining pipe and has melted the outer sheath of the tach cable. Someone suggested to relocate the tach cable. Not sure what they mean by relocating it. I thought about a heat shield over the pipe. It's roughly 1 inch OD. Do they make heat shields for pipes that small? will that protect the tach cable? My other option was to install a digital tach/speedo. I saw there was a digital converter for those, and can I install that piece down where the tach comes out of the engine case. If so, I can just route the wires away from the pipe and up to the digital tach/speedo unit. I have one but unfortunately it's not a "Digital Dakota". It's in a box with other ****(misc. parts) my son got with the bike and has no wire schematics.
Anyway, your help and advice, as always, is much appreciated!
Nick
I don't know **** about bikes but very mechanically inclined. I just did a total rewire on the bike. There was so much **** Gerry-Rigged, it's a wonder it ran. It was hard to start when I got it. Anyway, the rewire went well. It starts right up and runs great.
I just have some questions so I know what I have.
Ironhead right? Is it 1000cc or 1200?
The exhaust has a pipe connecting the two mufflers. I was told that I should keep it. My problem with that is the tach cable runs straight up between the mufflers and across the joining pipe and has melted the outer sheath of the tach cable. Someone suggested to relocate the tach cable. Not sure what they mean by relocating it. I thought about a heat shield over the pipe. It's roughly 1 inch OD. Do they make heat shields for pipes that small? will that protect the tach cable? My other option was to install a digital tach/speedo. I saw there was a digital converter for those, and can I install that piece down where the tach comes out of the engine case. If so, I can just route the wires away from the pipe and up to the digital tach/speedo unit. I have one but unfortunately it's not a "Digital Dakota". It's in a box with other ****(misc. parts) my son got with the bike and has no wire schematics.
Anyway, your help and advice, as always, is much appreciated!
Nick
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 717
Likes: 18
From: perry, fl
im not sure of 1000 or 1200, but yes, its an ironhead. the pipe you reference to is the crossover pipe. pretty sure it was supposed to have a shield. maybe a check of the vin numbers or numbers on the case will determine what size the motor is. if you dont have one, you need to proly get an hd service manual. may want to post this in the sportster section. good luck with it
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
Yup. Ironhead. I don't think any were made that were 1200cc.
Yes, you need the crossover pipes. However; that might not be the correct set. I think there is supposed to be a heatshield over the crossover and it would press that much harder over your tach cable. You might have to pop for a new set of pipes. I would get a factory service manual and a factory parts manual. Worth their weight in gold. I would not go for a digital tach/speedometer.
If you post another picture of the entire set of pipes, the ironhead guys (in that section of this forum) will know if they are correct or not. My guess is not.
Yes, you need the crossover pipes. However; that might not be the correct set. I think there is supposed to be a heatshield over the crossover and it would press that much harder over your tach cable. You might have to pop for a new set of pipes. I would get a factory service manual and a factory parts manual. Worth their weight in gold. I would not go for a digital tach/speedometer.
If you post another picture of the entire set of pipes, the ironhead guys (in that section of this forum) will know if they are correct or not. My guess is not.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,473
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
1000cc. Crossover pipe helps with exhaust scavenging, but isn't a "necessary" thing. You can remove it & plug the holes. I used to use freeze plugs, either brazed-in or gas welded.
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Just get a new exhaust. that bike is screaming for some drag pipes. There is supposed to be a heat shield over the cross over.
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