I have come to this forum for i am in need of help.I live in Scotland and have bought my first harley from an English man. The gentleman was up front and told me that the engine leaked oil from the base of the rear cylinder, so being a mechanic i thought , gasket set and get on with it . Can any one please tell me from this engine number CAPL118578 what engine this should be . I need piston rings but no one in the UK seems to be able to help . Thanks .

 

You should try to go into mechanical forum sportster area I am sure someone will help you.

 

It looks like you have a '86 to '96 XLH1200.
http://www.harley-performance.com/harley-vin.html

 

The Vin on motor will be an abbreviated version of the frame vin
For yours I would go with 1990 XLH1200
If that is correct the OEM cylinder base gasket is 16774-86A

 

Hastings piston ring set # 2M6164 for the XL1200 1/16 1/16 5/32 ring pack, 3.498" standard bore.

Welcome to the forum!

 

Thank you all for your replys , It would appear this motor has been re-framed .The frame number is a 2001 which has caused a bit confusion . i am also told that this motor had a habit of blowing up gear boxes , unfortunately due to freedom of information laws DVLA will not tell me who the previous owners were so the history of this machine is a bit suspect ....... Anyway thanks again friends , when i get things sorted I will put up a reply in the hope i may be able to help someone else, oh Hello to all, wherever you hail from.

 

Hello fellow bikers. A little up date , it turns out that along with various other bit and bobs needing a little tlc the cylinders have had a re-bore but not to a recognised Harley size , so new pistons , rings and re-bore to +20.
I've got it re-built and running but don't seem to have much in the way of oil getting to the rockers .... any ideas. I have a Clymer book and have followed it to the best of my ability ... I think. A full set of James top end gaskets ect spared no ex-pence , but the book don't say diddly about how the oil gets around the engine . When i'm done i will post some pics , i'ts a nice bike and i enjoy driving it but am getting a bit fed up now .

 

You REALLY need a HD maintenance manual and a parts book for that bike. Clymer will get you to the ball park, but it isn't a home run. Get the HD books.

 

Thanks . I guess that make good sence , i will do just that .