time to rebuild?
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 152
Likes: 2
time to rebuild?
So my passenger felt something hot periodically stinging her leg while we were riding the other day. When she got off she had black splotches on her leg, oil.
So it would seem I have a blown head gasket, to confirm, I did a compression test on both cylinders. I was getting 75psi in the forward cylinder and 70psi in the rear cylinder, shouldnt it be at about 100psi? Is it time to just do a whole top end rebuild? My buddy said I should be able to do it with the engine still in the bike, just take the tank off. my bike is a '92 sportster 1200.
part B of the question. If I do take the cylinders off, the finish on them is all gone, should I go to get them chromed or use that wrinkle/crinkle paint on them?
So it would seem I have a blown head gasket, to confirm, I did a compression test on both cylinders. I was getting 75psi in the forward cylinder and 70psi in the rear cylinder, shouldnt it be at about 100psi? Is it time to just do a whole top end rebuild? My buddy said I should be able to do it with the engine still in the bike, just take the tank off. my bike is a '92 sportster 1200.
part B of the question. If I do take the cylinders off, the finish on them is all gone, should I go to get them chromed or use that wrinkle/crinkle paint on them?
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 765
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
You can definitely do it with the engine still in the bike. To confirm your problem, you should do a leak down test. could have just been off the bottom of the air cleaner. You have to remove your tank,pipes,carb, a few motor mounts and the such. It's a fairly easy job. Your best friend will be a good torque wrench and patience. That rear rocker cover only comes out 1 way. Unless you have a bigger problem, you should be able to just do a gasket replacement.
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
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As of right now, I have a standard/metric socket set that goes up to 13/16 /19mm, the compression tester I just got, wrenches both metric and america, allen wrenches. I know I need to get my hands on a torque wrench for the project, also ring compressor to put the new rings on the piston. What else should I get my hands on before starting the project? I have a manual also so that should be good to, and I will definitely get some crinkle pain to redo the cylinders, are they many brands of that stuff?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
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From: navarre ohio
your compresion does sound a little low,but there are so many varibles to get a good reading. but the oil isnt blowing from the head gasket, little to no oil in there, it is coming from the rocker box or aircleaner if anywhere
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Beautiful Downtown Burbank
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Cruiser
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yeah it probably is coming more from the rocker box, but I figure if I have the time next weekend its about time to do a slight overhaul anyways
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
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Likes: 2
Just to make sure, I should be able to do all this without removing the engine correct? All I have to do is remove the tank and although it will be a tight clearence, the rockers, heads, and cylinder will all come out?
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 765
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
YES! Do you have a manual? It's a definite for a project like this. You will have to remove the air cleaner, carb, both pipes, a few motor mounts, intake manifold, coil, plugs and wires, a little ground wire attached to the left rear of the tank bottom, and a few other misc. fasteners. Take your time, label your parts, and enjoy!
Last edited by woodworking1; Oct 3, 2010 at 07:12 PM.