Low oil pressure 1975 ironhead sportster
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 116
Likes: 20
From: Southern Indiana
Low oil pressure 1975 ironhead sportster
I picked up a 75 sportster that had been stored away for 3 or so years. I rebuilt carb, removed and flushed out tank, replaced fuel line rubber. I fired it off for the first time today and runs good but oil pressure is only like 4 psi. It has a positive gauge that comes straight off of the oil pump. Increase in rpm doesn't increase pressure. It could be a bad gauge but the engine tells me otherwise with the ticking up at the rocker arms. Anyone have any thoughts to try before I tear into it? And can oil pump be disassembled while still on the bike or do I have to remove engine from frame to access it? Any help is greatly appreciated!
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 116
Likes: 20
From: Southern Indiana
This is the first bike I've owned of this vintage so I'm learning as I go! I decided to change the oil and everything first but I soon figured out the oil system is totally different than what I am used to with a external oil filter! Is the oil tank on this a pressurized system? And is the little basket In the oil tank the actual filter? Where the oil filter is located on my other bikes on this one looks to be a generator for the charging system! Please bear with me as I learn!
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 713
Likes: 203
From: The Nature Coast, FL
The "basket" in the tank is your oil filter. And it does have an alternator. You may want to check your push rod adjustment for the ticking. What oil are you using? It has been alot of years, but if IIRC I used 50 wt year round. I seem to remember that the oil pump was a bear to remove. Recommend a service manual, you will use it later....alot
Last edited by DonnieM; Feb 6, 2018 at 03:07 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 409
Likes: 158
From: Parksville B.C.
The big round piece at the front of the motor is a generator .You maybe should post your questions about this bike in the ironhead section. If you don't already have a manual go no further til you get one. Post some pictures and good luck
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 620
From: Pittsburgh suburb
Ahh..... 75 sporty - my first HD too, depending on how long it has sat change the oil lines - straight 50wt is good, push rods on that year always seemed to need adjusted periodically.
a manual will help due to the fact most the new techs have never worked on a system like what you have, generator (polarize it), is it a points fired mill or EI (electronic ignition) if electronic ignition make sure during polarizing to disconnect the electronic ignition - expensive lesson if you burn it out - ask me how I know?
BTW - the regulator & solenoid can be had at your local parts store for way less than what they cost at the dealer. do a compression test while checking things out!
Good luck & post some pics - I really like that year sportster!!!! wish I could track down mine just to see what condition its in.
a manual will help due to the fact most the new techs have never worked on a system like what you have, generator (polarize it), is it a points fired mill or EI (electronic ignition) if electronic ignition make sure during polarizing to disconnect the electronic ignition - expensive lesson if you burn it out - ask me how I know?
BTW - the regulator & solenoid can be had at your local parts store for way less than what they cost at the dealer. do a compression test while checking things out!
Good luck & post some pics - I really like that year sportster!!!! wish I could track down mine just to see what condition its in.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 116
Likes: 20
From: Southern Indiana
Didn't realize there was a ironhead section! But even if I did I would think mechanical would have been the place for my mechanical question. But regardless I did fix it tonight. I don't know who had been in there before I got the bike. But the supply line to back of oil pump was connected to top of "oil bag"(I call oil tank) and return was connected to lowest fitting on oil bag/tank supply! I do not know how they got those switched up as those are 2 different hose lenths and different routing! I cut the correct supply hose from oil pump to length and added on to the return to go to top of bag/tank! I wasn't going to pull side cover to pull starter to do two hoses! Thank everyone for those replies and I'm sure I will have more questions as I learn this scooter more more!
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 116
Likes: 20
From: Southern Indiana
Ahh..... 75 sporty - my first HD too, depending on how long it has sat change the oil lines - straight 50wt is good, push rods on that year always seemed to need adjusted periodically.
a manual will help due to the fact most the new techs have never worked on a system like what you have, generator (polarize it), is it a points fired mill or EI (electronic ignition) if electronic ignition make sure during polarizing to disconnect the electronic ignition - expensive lesson if you burn it out - ask me how I know?
BTW - the regulator & solenoid can be had at your local parts store for way less than what they cost at the dealer. do a compression test while checking things out!
Good luck & post some pics - I really like that year sportster!!!! wish I could track down mine just to see what condition its in.
a manual will help due to the fact most the new techs have never worked on a system like what you have, generator (polarize it), is it a points fired mill or EI (electronic ignition) if electronic ignition make sure during polarizing to disconnect the electronic ignition - expensive lesson if you burn it out - ask me how I know?
BTW - the regulator & solenoid can be had at your local parts store for way less than what they cost at the dealer. do a compression test while checking things out!
Good luck & post some pics - I really like that year sportster!!!! wish I could track down mine just to see what condition its in.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 116
Likes: 20
From: Southern Indiana
Ahh..... 75 sporty - my first HD too, depending on how long it has sat change the oil lines - straight 50wt is good, push rods on that year always seemed to need adjusted periodically.
a manual will help due to the fact most the new techs have never worked on a system like what you have, generator (polarize it), is it a points fired mill or EI (electronic ignition) if electronic ignition make sure during polarizing to disconnect the electronic ignition - expensive lesson if you burn it out - ask me how I know?
BTW - the regulator & solenoid can be had at your local parts store for way less than what they cost at the dealer. do a compression test while checking things out!
Good luck & post some pics - I really like that year sportster!!!! wish I could track down mine just to see what condition its in.
a manual will help due to the fact most the new techs have never worked on a system like what you have, generator (polarize it), is it a points fired mill or EI (electronic ignition) if electronic ignition make sure during polarizing to disconnect the electronic ignition - expensive lesson if you burn it out - ask me how I know?
BTW - the regulator & solenoid can be had at your local parts store for way less than what they cost at the dealer. do a compression test while checking things out!
Good luck & post some pics - I really like that year sportster!!!! wish I could track down mine just to see what condition its in.
