Waddup!
I just bought a 2005 Harley Sportster 1200 from a friend of the family, the original owner passed away and it has been sitting for approx 2yrs. I will be getting a new battery today to try and get her started and was looking for your experience on what else I may need to check/test etc I know this is a broad question so please bear with me.
Any help is greatly appreciated! If and when I can get it started I will probably take it somewhere to have maintenance checks done?

I have tried starting it and it turns over and the starter is engaging but never seems to "catch"

 

Hi from the UK and welcome to HDF and the wonderful world of Sportster ownership! There look to be plenty of extras on your new bike, which should keep you busy for a while, cleaning everything up!

The best advice is to get yourself the factory service manual, which will provide the service schedule and all the info you will need to do that. In summary a full service involves changing all oils and brake fluids, but also check the dates on the tyres and replace them if over 6/7 years old. Other stuff to check includes primary chain tension, clutch adjustment, etc, the basic list is included in the owners manual, which if you don't have one can be downloaded from the H-D website, go to the Owners tab.

 

 

Probably fuel. Replace fuel. Hit it with some starting fluid and a new battery.

Probably all it needs . Check for any fuel leaks.

You should really know how to do a safety check on it or get professional help like you say.

To offer you advice when someone does not know your experience or how you understand it scares me.

 

If you are taking it somewhere for maintenance just let them mess with no start issue. If it turns over it isn't the battery save your money

 

Try spraying a few quick bursts of carb cleaner into the air intake/carb. Crank it, if it fires you have spark and it is a fuel issue. is the petcock open? is the vacuum line on the petcock? Check the simplest things first, then start taking things apart. You will find out alot with some carb cleaner as far as if it is spark or fuel.

 

If it sat 2 years, then it will need a battery. It may take a small charge, and turn the motor over for a bit. But its pretty much toast at this point. Then change all fuids, including fuel.

 

Congrats man! I just picked up an 05 sporty this month as well!

 

Probably fuel turned to varnish in the carb bowl. It will gum up the jets as well from sitting over time. Good score on a nice bike. It looks like an aftermarket fuel inlet has been done, so perhaps your bike has upgraded jetting as well. Take a note of the numbers on the needle, main jet, and pilot jet when/if you take the carb apart for cleaning.

Try some Seafoam additive in a fresh tank of gas if you get it started, that should help if you don't have time to rebuild the carb right away. Very likely a fuel issue.

John

 

Dump tank and refill with fresh, pull carb and clean bowl, jets and make sure linkage moves freely. Replace motor oil and spark plugs. Before installing new plugs put a few drops of oil down cylinder walls. This is also a good time to put in gear and roll the motor to be sure its free, then install the plugs. This should let it get started up.
If not seek help.