I have an 83 XLS Roadster 1000. Well the other day I went to start mine and heard a bang and I have a crack in left case half under primary chain.

So I was thinking the quickest way to get back on the road is engine swap then have mine rebuilt. What years are interchangeable? I believe its 77 up right??

I know you guys are thinking why its a sportster/roadster but I have custom paint and stuff and its worth more running.

Eric

 

I think 1977 to 1981; i believe that 1982-on use different fron lower mount plates. However 1979 to 1981 is a different frame from 1977, 78.

If you find a used engine it may be more work and expense to get it in and running than fixing what you have. In general the advice given is almost always to fix what you have.

Have you opened it up for a look yet? Open it up and post pics of what you see.

 

Thx Mick,

I have been lazy I will pull it out this week. I was planning on rebuilding anyway. Everyone trying to talk me out of it but I have built many metrics I have a welder here that works on Boat Powerheads.


Eric

 

i looked up custom sportster frames, they fit 57-81, and then 86-03. 82-85 must be an odd ball?
i'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to put any sporty motor in there with some simple mods.

it sounds like you broke the primary chain,or the tensioner came loose and got wedged

ironhead motors aren't very complicated, get a good manual and try it.. a decent professional aluminum welder should be able to weld the case up with no problem

my first harley build was a 69 xlch chopper, it came in 12 boxes, motor was totally apart. i built it alone with a clymer manual, had no help..

 

That was it hard to believe a hard piece of plastic did this damage. As I removed the primary cover 2 pieces of alum fell to the ground.

Fingers crossed my welder can fix once I strip the motor down ......

 

doesnt take much when that pc get sucked under the clutch basket, happens to alot of them, some are saved some are parted out, i check mine at least once a year, i have had the bolts come allmost all the way out , now i use a very high grade loctite!!

 

One of my customers had a 2001 883 he was planning on putting a 1250 kit on but postponed building the custom due to 2 of them havent sold yet. He sold me everything for 900.00

Now Im deciding on putting the 1200 kit on now or just putting 883 back together and buying later

 

Sorry but i do not understand your post. Two of what have not sold yet? Is the "everything" the complete 2001 Sportster plus the 1250 kit? Are you asking for an opinion on something?

 

Sorry Mick,

I picked up the 2001 883 Sportster EVO motor complete for 900.00. I wasnt asking anything just adding to my post in case someone in my situation asks if a 2001 Sporty Evo will fit in a 1983 XL frame. The only thing I have to fab is the top center mount and the top front (but I dont think I will do the front) oh and Exhaust

As for how I got it my customer builds customs with Sporty Evos puts 1250 kits on them. He had this one ready to install the kit but decided since he still had 2 complete bikes that hadnt sold he would let me have the 883.

Sorry I didnt clarify was too excited the motor fit in my bike HAHAHA I had already lined up a buyer in case it didnt fit

Heres a pic of my Irons big hole its going off to the welder tomm too

 

Cool. Good deal. On the 1980s IronHeads all of the motor mounts, including the top front, are necessary else the vibrations will destroy the engine. I expect this is true also of the Evo engines.