A friend gave me a 1973 sportster that's been sitting in barn 20 plus years. Its complete. We oiled the piston put new battery. Its getting fuel but can't get no spark. Tried pull starting and no luck. What should try next. Don't want to start replacing stuff that might be good . Any ideas?

 

Is it getting spark? How do the points look?

 

+1 Since the motors spins: Get spark first then fuel. I've gotten most long term sitters to start after that. And I confess to using starter fluid at times

 

Your gonna have to find out why there is no spark.

Good idea to check compression before dumping money into it.

 

XLH OR CH? IT AINT GONNA START WITH NO SPARK AND DRAGGIN IT AROUND AINT GONNA MAKE IT START SPARKIN. sorry for caps didnt realize till too late an aint gonna retype. if it's a 'ch' lotta a kickin and good luck

 

Do you have power to the coil? If so, after sitting that long the coil is more than likely the problem.

 

make sure power to coil, power out coil, ohm coil, make sure points is opening, power to points for starters.. a test light is your friend.

 

check the plug wires also.

 

new set of points and a condenser, adjust adn try that. then look at the coil the plug wires and plugs should be replaced for sure. after that check compression timing and if its gettign spark give the car ba thorough cleaning and she shoudl fire