New harley owner
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From:
New harley owner
Hi everyone just got myself a 75 sportster. Im 19 and in college and dont know alot about my harley yet. Had a yamaha virago 535 to start with for about 2 years and glad to move up. Just got a couple of questions:
1.) for some reason the bike has a problem getting into first. When i try to shift down, it makes a grinding noise. and also when it does get into first, it revs real high and seems like its ready for second or slips into neutral..any suggestions?
2.) also, i know the oil tank is gonna heat up, and i havnt barely gotten to ride the bike much but the oil tank heats up so bad that it feels like its gonna burn through your jeans..also any suggestions?
3.) and last, when im in second the bike seems to sputter alot and not want to accelerate..any suggestions?
O yea, one more thing, is there a choke on this thing and if so where at?
Just wanted to thank you for any help and im excited to be in the forum.
Tyler
1.) for some reason the bike has a problem getting into first. When i try to shift down, it makes a grinding noise. and also when it does get into first, it revs real high and seems like its ready for second or slips into neutral..any suggestions?
2.) also, i know the oil tank is gonna heat up, and i havnt barely gotten to ride the bike much but the oil tank heats up so bad that it feels like its gonna burn through your jeans..also any suggestions?
3.) and last, when im in second the bike seems to sputter alot and not want to accelerate..any suggestions?
O yea, one more thing, is there a choke on this thing and if so where at?
Just wanted to thank you for any help and im excited to be in the forum.
Tyler
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,289
Likes: 3
From: Rowlett, Texas
RE: New harley owner
Take it into a good bike shop. Sounds like you need to get it checked over real good. This is a 32 year old bike that sounds worn out. A rebuild may be in order.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From:
RE: New harley owner
thanks for the tip but just came outta the shop 2 weeks ago. had to put about 2000 into the bike. when i picked it up, they said everything was good. Said engine looked good and tranny was fine.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 264
Likes: 2
From:
RE: New harley owner
Well for the shifting problem make sure your clutch and primary chain are adjusted also make sure it has the right oil at the correct level if that dosent help the shift forks or gear grooves could be worn or in other words you need the tranny overhauled.Now as far as it getting hot and running like crap it might be running lean which would cause both problems.If your good with fixing things get your self a shop manual go to the troubleshooting section and start there.If you dont want to tackle it yourself find a new mechanic and have him diagnose whats wrong.There could be alot of things causeing your problems and you really need someone to look at it.I could rattle off 50 more things that could be wrong but without looking at it,it would be just alot of guessing.Keep us posted on how things go.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From:
RE: New harley owner
thanks alot for the info riche. Just another, is there a choke on the bike?
and also, thanks for the tip about getting it rebuilt, but yes they did take the bike apart. The bottom of the engine case was cracked so they had to remove the engine to weld the case so they went ahead and took the engine apart to check things out. And about it being my mechanic, i took it to AD Farrows which is the oldest harley dealer and shop in the US and i have the master mechanic thats been workin on these for 50 years.
and also, thanks for the tip about getting it rebuilt, but yes they did take the bike apart. The bottom of the engine case was cracked so they had to remove the engine to weld the case so they went ahead and took the engine apart to check things out. And about it being my mechanic, i took it to AD Farrows which is the oldest harley dealer and shop in the US and i have the master mechanic thats been workin on these for 50 years.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 770
Likes: 2
From: East NM
RE: New harley owner
1. If this only happens on the first shift after starting up the bike, thre is a little trick. Your bike has a wet clutch and those tend to stick after sitting a while. Pull in the clutch while the transmission is in gear and rock the bike back nd forth until it stops trying to turn the engine. Also, your clutch adjustment could be off. Those clutches adjust in 2 places, and it sounds like both could be off. With both adjustments incorrect, it is possible for the clutch to both drag and slip. If the clutch slips when it is properly adjusted, and the plates are not badly worn, you can get a set of shorter spacers to help it out. If you do this, do not lose track of the original spacers, you will need them when you eventually replace the clutch.
There should be a choke. Where it is depends on which carburettor it has. The '75 Sportster originally came with a Bendix carb and there should be a choke **** next to the ignition switch. If it has been fitted with an S&S (a really good idea to do) there should be a small lever at the top rear of the air filter that you lift to choke.
200F or more is a common oil temperature. Lean mixture or incorrect ignition timing can cause the engine to run extra hot. If the engine is properly tuned and the tank is still really hot, an aftermarket oil cooler will help. Best to get one with a thermostat, or it will take too long for the engine to warm up.
When your engine is sputtering, does it eventually smooth out and run OK? If it does, the accelerator pump on the carb is probably at fault. If it runs fine up to the lower mid-range and won't go any faster, the ignition condenser is the most likely problem followed by a lean mixture, which is likely caysed by the wrong main jet in the carb.
There should be a choke. Where it is depends on which carburettor it has. The '75 Sportster originally came with a Bendix carb and there should be a choke **** next to the ignition switch. If it has been fitted with an S&S (a really good idea to do) there should be a small lever at the top rear of the air filter that you lift to choke.
200F or more is a common oil temperature. Lean mixture or incorrect ignition timing can cause the engine to run extra hot. If the engine is properly tuned and the tank is still really hot, an aftermarket oil cooler will help. Best to get one with a thermostat, or it will take too long for the engine to warm up.
When your engine is sputtering, does it eventually smooth out and run OK? If it does, the accelerator pump on the carb is probably at fault. If it runs fine up to the lower mid-range and won't go any faster, the ignition condenser is the most likely problem followed by a lean mixture, which is likely caysed by the wrong main jet in the carb.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 264
Likes: 2
From:
RE: New harley owner
Im not to famillar with that year sportsters choke location, my friend has an early seventies sporty I was gunna ask him but Oldtimer has answered that question and given some good advice.Also since you just spent two grand on engine work Im sure the AD Farrows mechanic will at least tell you what the problems are.I worked as an auto mechanic for a number of years and if someone just spent 2 large on engine work and he was having running issues I would immediately look at it and tell him what the problems were.Thats what any reputable mechanic would do.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
