Ironhead A place to talk about Ironheads.

Almost done tearing it down, help me out.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 13, 2011 | 03:20 PM
  #1  
its-an-old-thrasher's Avatar
its-an-old-thrasher
Thread Starter
|
1st Gear
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Default Almost done tearing it down, help me out.

Thanks for stoping by. I got a 77 ironhead on a rigid frame that I am tearing down to repain the frame. I have most of it done and just need a few things. 1 First can a generator be polarized too many times? I am re-wiring the bike while I have it apart and was wondering if I should just wait till I am done with the entire wire job to do it?
2. There is a an internal threaded sleeve at the top of fork center post. It requires a spanner wrench. Is it for adjusting the bearing tension or something else?
3. To bleed down the lifters before pushrod adjustment do you simply wait a while after finding top dead center? Or how do I get it down without having to wait forever?
4. Do I have to do anything else special or oil up the lifters before bleeding them down?
5. I pulled the primary off and the shifter shaft can move in a wide circle is that normal or is there too much play there? Also does the shaft need to be in any certain position before puting the cover back on?
6. Can the cylinder base, head, and rocker gasket be assembled with a little bearing grease rather than gasket adhesive? A buddy did it on his old guzzu and it worked out nice so wondered if I could do the same.
Thanks guys. Number the responses so I can figure it all out man. The more responses the better
 
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2011 | 06:00 PM
  #2  
shepdog's Avatar
shepdog
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 400
Likes: 1
From: se ohio
Default

1 polorize the gen when you are completely done and the bike is running again,2 cant help you on the front end, 3 lifters are solid so there is no bleading them down, just adjust as per the fsn, 4, same answer as #3 solid lifters, 5not sure on your 77 i havent messed with one that lod lol(isnt there a bushing in the cover that suports the shaft?, as far as the sealant goes i wouldnt use grease dont think it would like the heat very well, i use indianhead sealant or a copper spray gasket sealer, i like the copper spray th best, doesnt make such a mess and heat doesnt bother it at all
 
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2011 | 06:00 PM
  #3  
scottfisher's Avatar
scottfisher
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 566
Likes: 3
From: rural ontario
Default

1) no, yes
2)fork center post? triple trees, right? I think the answer is yes if we are thinking the same.
3)Do your adjustments on a cold motor, and when the pushrod is at it's lowest position. You don't have to wait the valve spring will push it down. Make sure the pushrods are still finger loose as they will expand when they get hot. Double check your work...even compression check, if you can. Then check again after a short ride.
4) assembly lube if you are doing a rebuild with clean parts or new parts
5) It will move but it shouldn't move in a 'wide' circle...the primary cover will provide additional support for it though; no, but when you put on the foot pedal lever you will want to find your center so it shifts properly when you move it.
6) no, well...if you want too, but, the Mo Co didn't use anything when they built it and it lasted this long. The head gasket is copper and you shouldn't use anything...but check to be sure the holes for the oil are not blocked by the gasket at all. They often do and my need a little trimming with a dremel.
 
Reply
Old Jan 13, 2011 | 06:02 PM
  #4  
98Ultra's Avatar
98Ultra
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 5
From: S.E. NC
Default

You need a factory service manual first.

1. why not wait till it is wired?
2. it holds the front end on, I need to look at my manual for torque
3. solid lifters
4. solid lifters
5
6. gaskets, probably dry

You NEED a Manual
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rusty8993
Sportster Models
6
Sep 28, 2018 10:24 PM
guido2000
Exhaust System Topics
2
Aug 8, 2012 08:19 AM
its-an-old-thrasher
Sportster Models
10
Mar 25, 2011 09:05 AM
its-an-old-thrasher
General Topics/Tech Tips
0
Jan 13, 2011 04:52 PM
Duke02
Touring Models
10
Sep 30, 2010 12:01 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:51 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE