74 Ironhead
The most difficult part is finding points parts that are reliable. Many, perhaps most, aftermarket points parts are quite litterally garbage - they will not work straight out of the box.
Best if you can get them from an Harley Davidson shop. Or else get a made in USA brand with a guarantee such as ACCEL.
An alternative is to buy an aftermarket electronic ignition such as the Ultima. Easy install, rarely if ever a problem ...
http://www.ultimaproducts.com/programmableignition.html
Best if you can get them from an Harley Davidson shop. Or else get a made in USA brand with a guarantee such as ACCEL.
An alternative is to buy an aftermarket electronic ignition such as the Ultima. Easy install, rarely if ever a problem ...
http://www.ultimaproducts.com/programmableignition.html
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
Like Mick says, try a Harley shop first for new points.
Get a new condenser at the same time.
The points are not difficult to install, but you will need some direction which any of us can provide. All you have to do is ask.
After you get the new points and condenser installed you will have the following issues to take care of..........
1) Setting the points gap (.018) correctly
20 Timing the ignition
Additionally, as a new ironhead owner you will want to set the pushrod clearance before you ride it much.
Another subject that requires some direction, but just ask.
You will also want to learn how you adjust the clutch.
Those are pretty much all of the important items you need to do before riding the bike.
If the bike has been sitting a long time without being started (like a couple years or longer) then tell us that is the case and do not start the bike until you get some good direction on other issues related to the bike not being run in a while.
Ironheads are not difficult to work on but there are some things that are done a certain way and you need to learn how to do it.
If you intend keeping the machine then the first thing you need to buy is a factory service manual.
I expect the cost will be close to $50 but you will need one.
DO NOT get a substitute such as a Clymer's manual. That is not a manual that is specific enough to do the job for you.
pg
Get a new condenser at the same time.
The points are not difficult to install, but you will need some direction which any of us can provide. All you have to do is ask.
After you get the new points and condenser installed you will have the following issues to take care of..........
1) Setting the points gap (.018) correctly
20 Timing the ignition
Additionally, as a new ironhead owner you will want to set the pushrod clearance before you ride it much.
Another subject that requires some direction, but just ask.
You will also want to learn how you adjust the clutch.
Those are pretty much all of the important items you need to do before riding the bike.
If the bike has been sitting a long time without being started (like a couple years or longer) then tell us that is the case and do not start the bike until you get some good direction on other issues related to the bike not being run in a while.
Ironheads are not difficult to work on but there are some things that are done a certain way and you need to learn how to do it.
If you intend keeping the machine then the first thing you need to buy is a factory service manual.
I expect the cost will be close to $50 but you will need one.
DO NOT get a substitute such as a Clymer's manual. That is not a manual that is specific enough to do the job for you.
pg
Thread Starter
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Stage II
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Alabama
Well that is what I was told from my uncle that had the bike stored at his place.
I do plan on keeping it as it is a part of the family. My dad almost had to sell it because I was born in 1975.
I do plan on keeping it as it is a part of the family. My dad almost had to sell it because I was born in 1975.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 566
Likes: 3
From: rural ontario
before you pick up a wrench order a couple of service manuals for the bike. While you are waiting for them to come in read every sticky there is at:
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...d.php?t=465866
because you will likely find the points issue leads to an ignition issue. You will solve this issue just in time for you to find out about the fuel delivery issue...happens when iron sits for a while.
You will enjoy it though. we all do.
enjoy it and welcome to the club.
s
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...d.php?t=465866
because you will likely find the points issue leads to an ignition issue. You will solve this issue just in time for you to find out about the fuel delivery issue...happens when iron sits for a while.
You will enjoy it though. we all do.
enjoy it and welcome to the club.
s
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3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
Like Mick says, try a Harley shop first for new points.
Get a new condenser at the same time.
The points are not difficult to install, but you will need some direction which any of us can provide. All you have to do is ask.
After you get the new points and condenser installed you will have the following issues to take care of..........
1) Setting the points gap (.018) correctly
20 Timing the ignition
Additionally, as a new ironhead owner you will want to set the pushrod clearance before you ride it much.
Another subject that requires some direction, but just ask.
You will also want to learn how you adjust the clutch.
Those are pretty much all of the important items you need to do before riding the bike.
If the bike has been sitting a long time without being started (like a couple years or longer) then tell us that is the case and do not start the bike until you get some good direction on other issues related to the bike not being run in a while.
Ironheads are not difficult to work on but there are some things that are done a certain way and you need to learn how to do it.
If you intend keeping the machine then the first thing you need to buy is a factory service manual.
I expect the cost will be close to $50 but you will need one.
DO NOT get a substitute such as a Clymer's manual. That is not a manual that is specific enough to do the job for you.
pg
Get a new condenser at the same time.
The points are not difficult to install, but you will need some direction which any of us can provide. All you have to do is ask.
After you get the new points and condenser installed you will have the following issues to take care of..........
1) Setting the points gap (.018) correctly
20 Timing the ignition
Additionally, as a new ironhead owner you will want to set the pushrod clearance before you ride it much.
Another subject that requires some direction, but just ask.
You will also want to learn how you adjust the clutch.
Those are pretty much all of the important items you need to do before riding the bike.
If the bike has been sitting a long time without being started (like a couple years or longer) then tell us that is the case and do not start the bike until you get some good direction on other issues related to the bike not being run in a while.
Ironheads are not difficult to work on but there are some things that are done a certain way and you need to learn how to do it.
If you intend keeping the machine then the first thing you need to buy is a factory service manual.
I expect the cost will be close to $50 but you will need one.
DO NOT get a substitute such as a Clymer's manual. That is not a manual that is specific enough to do the job for you.
pg
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
Make sure the engine is stone cold. Letting it sit overnight is best.
The easiest way to set up is to lift the rear wheel off the ground, using a stand or wood blocks under the frame.
Put it in 4th gear.
Remove both spark plugs.
Un-clip the keepers on all 4 pushrod tubes. Collapse the tubes.
I use 2 paper clips (bent like an S) and a rubber band to hold the tubes up and out of the way.
You will need a 'Thin wrench' open end to do the adjustment. This tool you can get at Sears if you do not have one.
OK, you are ready to start.
Using the rear wheel, turn the engine forward and watch the rear exhaust lifter.
When it begins to rise up, raise it to it's highest point.
That will be when the lifter suddenly stops rising. STOP.
Now you are ready to adjust the front exhaust lifter.
Before I go on, each lifter is adjusted when you have the like lifter on the other cylinder at it's high point.
This assures that the lifter you are adjusting is at it's low point.
The exhaust and intake are all done the same way.
So let's adjust that front exhaust lifter.
Is the pushrod loose or tight? Try rolling it with your finger.
Loosen the lock nut on the lifter.
Then turn the adjuster in or out depending on which you want to do..... tighten or loosen the play.
The correct adjustment is when the pushrod will just turn around 360° using your finger like so...........
The pushrod must go a full 360° around, but using a single finger to turn it.
If you can feel looseness of the pushrod or move it up or down the adjustment is too loose.
What I do is unscrew the lifter bolt until the pushrod will not turn.
Then with my finger on the rod I screw the lifter into the lifter.
Soon the rod will begin to turn and as soon as I can rotate the pushrod 360° around the adjustment is correct.
When you get it right, tighten down the lock nut and check it again.
At times it may take several tries to get it right.
When you finally have it adjusted, move on to the other 3 pushrods and adjust those the same way.
When all done extend the tubes and put the clips in place.
Be careful to get the corks in place.
Especially prone to not get seated in it's recess in the rocker box, are the uppermost corks.
Not having them seated will result in a large amount of oil leaking out all over the timing cover when you start it up.
pg
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