Well this is my first post, so first off I'd like to say hello to everyone. I'm new to harley as of yesterday.

I became the proud owner of an 88 sportster yesterday (883 converted to 1200, bobbed rearfender, big tank). So after riding it around a parking lot for about an hour trying to get the feel back, I drove it back to my shop and parked it til about 8 pm. I went to pick it up around then to bring it home, so I start it up and start driving home on some backroads and I'm having a blast and everythings going fine. Then out of nowhere my oil light comes on and the motor cuts out and I THINK I heard a screeching noise (not too good). I pull over and try to restart and it only runs for about a second then farts out.

Can anybody help me out? I've been depressed about this since last night, because I think I toasted the motor. (I'm an auto mechanic, I know NOTHING about bikes haha)

Thanks alot

Denis

 

does it have oil in it

 

Yup, plenty of oil, I checked it right before I headed out. Then once it died I checked it and its still full, no metal shavings or anything.

 

Harley motors are not a whole lot differant than a V8 in many aspects. Go through the standard checks you would on a V8. Does it have oil pressure? are all the fluids up to level? Does it get fuel? etc.

 

When I grenaded the motor on mine it would not start when it initially quit. I knew what had happened. Not only would it not start, it would not turn over.

 

thanks for the replies guys. im gonna check it out tomorrow. im crossing my fingers for an oil pump and bearings at the LEAST. [&o]

roses... when yours blew what did you end up doing? did you put a newmotor in? how much?

 

Humor us....before you go tearing into anything......did you check to see if you have any gas in the tank?

Move your petcock to reserve.....crank it over for a few minutes and see if it starts.

 

I filled up right before heading out, and only put 13 miles on, so that shouldnt be my problem haha.

 

Also, if i disable the spark and hook an oil pressure gauge up to it and crank it over, how much oil pressure should i have?

 

well good news, i checked everything out and everything points to the oil pump. turns out the motor is still good (no noises or rapping). it fired right off when i was checking for oil pressure.

anyone ever do an oil pump in one of these bikes? is it easier to pull the motor?

thanks for all the help