My first Harley was a 1975 XLCH. Couple of small problems, nothing major. Had the engine rebuilt, added some PB Plus cams, a Del orto carb and she was very reliable. Always started by the third kick when cold, first kick when warm.
79 Lowrider - Bad valve guides. Valve would stick at high speed. Never had valve damage thankfully. Let engine cool a bit and it would start right back up. Replaced valve guides and fixed the problem. (I had an oil cooler on it also, didn't help.)
It's also a shovel head so it has the oil slobber. I'd like to find a fix for that, still have the bike and have had three HD's since 2001.
if your original primary oil circuit is still stock? You can by pass it. Fill the primary with oil to the bottom of the clutch basket and plug the chain oiler. Just remember to lube your chain when needed. If you still drip. You have a seal or gasket problem. Not everyone will agree with my fix. They did this to Evo's. Separated the oil from primary circuit. Not sure if you are using synthetic oil or not? Some of the early castings will weep that oil. Versus the Regular oil. I've seen it happen on shovels and pans.
Went on a trip with a few guys, me and a friend had near new 79 FXE’s. 200 miles from home his bent a push rod from a valve sticking. Straighten the push rod and it started right up. Mine did the same thing 250 miles coming home. Bent my push rod but the valve was stuck. Found an old Indy dealer and left it there. Rode bitch on the back of a Kawasaki to get home. Next day went back and picked up my bike and brought it home. Dealer said it was an on going problem with the valve guides. Dealer gave me parts to fix mine and I did my own warranty.
I wish I had taken a picture of the mid 70’s Sportster I saw in a body shop parking lot a few weeks ago. All original. AMF logo on the tank. And a fresh cup of speedy dry on the ground under it. Lol.
if your original primary oil circuit is still stock? You can by pass it. Fill the primary with oil to the bottom of the clutch basket and plug the chain oiler.
Actually, it's a little more involved than that. You need to block the feed and return on the primary, while venting it. You can still run a chain oiler.
Actually, it's a little more involved than that. You need to block the feed and return on the primary, while venting it. You can still run a chain oiler.
No shortage of AMF misinformation, as usual.
was assuming he knows how to run oil lines. Maybe I was wrong? Always a critic in the bunch. Lol mine are all by passed. No problems as of yet.
Back in the day I remember people not liking Harley selling out to a company that made bowling pin machines ,and golf carts, but my 1976 FLH ran as good as any of the other ones .
I think both my bikes qualify as AMF, I have a 1981 and a early 1982 FXB. These bikes are my way around all the modern noise etc regulations... the tank decal on the 81 is not correct, but I like it the way it is and dont plan to change it. I only got the 1981 2 weeks ago, have had the 82 for 15 years now.
10-11-2020 | 04:55 PM
