1977 ironhead starter problem
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 151
Likes: 1
From: ohio
well said pinion and mick my 76 ive been working on it all winter and so far all summer still havent went for a ride fix one thing just to find another to be fixed but it will go down the road again just not as fast as i wanted
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
To get one running there are always many issues to be addressed. Especially if a machine has sat for a few years without being started.
To think you are going to get such a machine running with a day or two of work is just plain daydreaming IMHO.
However, once the machine is running smooth and will easily start, the ride time increases greatly. Less work is required outside of checking the valve clearance and points gap every 3 months or so.
I have also formed the opinion over the years that the best thing you can do to keep an ironhead running well is to ride it often, and ride it a lot.......... pg
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
starting 1420
dirtyboy, a couple of things you might want to take into consideration,this bike hasn't ran since being rebuilt be very careful with the starting fluid,too much will rinse the much needed oil off the cylinder walls.once you get it to start you need to break it in correctly.it sounds like the motor is stroked mine is also stroked s&s recomends starting the bike and NOT let it sit there and idle get on it and ride,up and down on the throttle thru the gears ,no lugging the motor and noprolonged cruising for about the first 500 miles.with that said you need to get the bike ready for the road before starting it.your starter problem might be too much compression for the starter. i had to install compression releases in the heads.good luck kick starting it, this is a good way to hurt your ankle or knee
good luck jtmon75
good luck jtmon75
Running a freshly built ironhead is a serious undertaking. It must be broken in correctly. There is lots of information available on this topic. Ignore all the information that applies to automobiles and evolution/aluminum engines. Ignore casual/stupid remarks like "ride it like you stole it". Search out information specifically about breaking in Harley Davidson ironhead engines. Do not run the engine at all until you have researched this topic thoroughly.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
Running a freshly built ironhead is a serious undertaking. It must be broken in correctly. There is lots of information available on this topic. Ignore all the information that applies to automobiles and evolution/aluminum engines. Ignore casual/stupid remarks like "ride it like you stole it". Search out information specifically about breaking in Harley Davidson ironhead engines. Do not run the engine at all until you have researched this topic thoroughly.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
starting new engine
dirtyboy, i would assume your motor is bored and stroked to make it a 1420. whatever brand of internal componants you have call the manufacturer and talk to the tech line see what they say and call a couple of shops talk to somebody that knows ironheads.i was recently in a local hd dealership getting some gaskets.the guy in front of me needed a oil filter and oil for a 74,the guy behind the counter couldn't tell him where it was located on his bike and they sold him 20w50 hd oil for it(it was in the high 80's that day).a couple of days later the same thing only this guy had a 77 they sold him 20w50(still hot out). the point is do your research somewhere other than an hd dealership.
jtmon75
jtmon75
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee, Florida
Last edited by halmc; Jun 7, 2009 at 05:58 AM.
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