Taking in an orphan Sportster - need some advice
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Taking in an orphan Sportster - need some advice
Within a few weeks I'll be taking in a '95 1200 Sportster. It's gonna need some serious TLC. Pretty sure where to start, but not sure how much TLC will need to be administered.
My buddy bought the bike used, about 2 weeks later he layed it down once and it has sat in his garage for the past 4 1/2 years. I've bugged him about it as long as I have known him, but it was usually a sore subject.
He just got orders overseas (we are military) and I was able to talk him into selling it to me for 2 grand.
When he layed it down it bent up the bars, shredded the clutch cable, scuffed up the jockey cover, and did a little damage to the levers. He was, however, able to ride it home. From what he remembers it had about half a tank of gas when he put it into its 4 1/2 year resting position.
Obviously it will need a new clutch cable, jockey cover, levers, 100% fluid change, plugs, and battery. I'll have to see how the inside of the tank looks. Will probably just drain, flush and reseal it.
What I'm not sure of is how deep I should dig into the engine itself. And kinda wanted to see if I was missing anything else. I'm not new to bikes, however, I'm not a bike mechanic.
Any suggestions from some pros?
My buddy bought the bike used, about 2 weeks later he layed it down once and it has sat in his garage for the past 4 1/2 years. I've bugged him about it as long as I have known him, but it was usually a sore subject.
He just got orders overseas (we are military) and I was able to talk him into selling it to me for 2 grand.
When he layed it down it bent up the bars, shredded the clutch cable, scuffed up the jockey cover, and did a little damage to the levers. He was, however, able to ride it home. From what he remembers it had about half a tank of gas when he put it into its 4 1/2 year resting position.
Obviously it will need a new clutch cable, jockey cover, levers, 100% fluid change, plugs, and battery. I'll have to see how the inside of the tank looks. Will probably just drain, flush and reseal it.
What I'm not sure of is how deep I should dig into the engine itself. And kinda wanted to see if I was missing anything else. I'm not new to bikes, however, I'm not a bike mechanic.
Any suggestions from some pros?
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Taking in an orphan Sportster - need some advice
Well if he never drained the gas or at least the Carb, I can almost promise you that you will need to go through the carb. If it were me I would drain and change all fluids, Pull the carb off and at least clean it out. Replace the parts that were damaged when it was laid down and try to fire it up. You shouldnt need to go into the engin any further than that. Also make sure you take a really good look at the tires, they could be suffering from some dry rot from storage.
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
RE: Taking in an orphan Sportster - need some advice
Tires were on my list of things to do, would like to throw some spokes on it and kill 2 birds with one stone. A good carb tear-down also sounds good, thanks.
One more question .. All the tins off an '86 should fit on a '95? Believe the only difference is the petcock will be on the right hand side and I will need to run some longer tubing, is this correct?
One more question .. All the tins off an '86 should fit on a '95? Believe the only difference is the petcock will be on the right hand side and I will need to run some longer tubing, is this correct?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,250
Likes: 0
From: Harrison, ar
RE: Taking in an orphan Sportster - need some advice
Welcome to the site. Find yourself a good dealership or a good motorcycle shop have them give it a good look over and have them do the work. Some of the indy shops does work at a good price. Hope you are able to get it on the road this summer.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
