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Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by loki21769, Apr 29, 2010.

  1. loki21769

    loki21769 New Member

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    i was offered to buy a 83 sportster 1200. this would be my first street bike but it comes with some issues. the bike is in a few pieces and although i am mechanically inclined i am looking for some advice for repairs or manuals that are reliable
    loki21769, Apr 29, 2010
    #1
  3. Art_NJr

    Art_NJr New Member

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    That's an "Ironhead" Sportster & while the same style as the "Evo" Sportsters which 1st came out in 1986, a different rascal. There's a Yahoo Group called Ironhead Sportster Garage & those guys know more about 'em than anybody, but I'm a Sportster guy & know a thing or 2 about 'em.

    1st thing is find a H-D service manual - the Haynes, Clymer, etc. manuals which cover many different models aren't anywhere near as good - get the manual for that year bike. Then know that Ironheads run hotter than the aluminum "beer can" Sportster engines & you MUST use a heavy straight-weight oil, like Valovoline SAE 50 (or 60) Racing Oil, or if you prefer synthetic, Red Line.

    Ironhead Sportsters are classic bikes, revered by those who know them, but they can be finicky & hard to get running right. But the biggest change that gets the best results is changing the carburetor to a late-model CV carb - for any Sportster or big twin made after 1988. You do have to get a different intake manifold or an adapter for the stock one, but it's not a difficult switch & there are kits available for it.

    Lots of tricks to make an Ironhead run even better, including having a machine shop drill / tap the heads for a 2nd spark plug on the other side & switching to a newer electronic ignition, but if you like classic motorcycles, you can't get a better one than an Ironhead Sportster !!!
    Art_NJr, Apr 29, 2010
    #2
  4. 59panhead

    59panhead New Member

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    For your 1st Harley....buy a bike thats already together and running ! too many negitives with that model and year!
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2010
    59panhead, Apr 29, 2010
    #3
  5. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    i dunno, there is a special pride from building your own bike from a basket. i have done it many times, with great results! and yes, art knows sportsters inside and out...post a few pics of what ya want to buy, it may be a good deal, or just a box of junk........good luck and let us know..............and welcome to the board!!
    chucktx, Apr 29, 2010
    #4
  6. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Define pieces, IE is the engine disassembled, out of the frame, and a box of parts
    from a project, or is it just apart, gas tank off, fenders, no seat that's a big difference.

    The HD service manual available at any dealer, combined with the HD parts manual will greatly help. The parts book has some better pictures of how a particular piece goes together.

    Big issue too.. is everything there, it can get more expensive than a running bike
    to buy one in parts if you have to buy a lot of HD parts to get it going.

    If it's really apart I'd lowball it...
    hotroadking, Apr 30, 2010
    #5

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