Guy's I am enjoying this post! Clever is the Kid at Christmas! Skip you amaze me with your HD knowledge. Somebody needs to make a movie outta this. Master and student, I'm learning and I'm envious. Don't give up clever!

 

LOL ******, I'll never give up! Thanks for the post. oh, and skip is def. the master.

 

Glad to hear you got some riding out of the ol' gal!

Remember, blue LocTite is your friend.

When you say you hear a click, is it the relay or the solenoid? Solenoids have a habit of eating the contacts up after some time. There are rebuild kits available for them that consist of a new "washer" moveable contact, new stationary contacts, and usually a gasket or o-ring. Sometimes all I used to do was turn the "washer" contact over to use the other side, and sand the stationary contacts. If you take a screwdriver and short between the large long stud to the small (10-32 size, IIRC) stud it bypasses the relay and starter switch. If the solenoid picks up and turns the starter, look at the switch and it's wiring, and the relay and it's wiring. Another common problem on an older bike is the starter motor brushes. You might be able to check them without pulling the starter, but my memory is not too clear on that.

Oil tank & battery. Old ones had a big honkin' battery with the electric starter. But along came the FXE with a small battery and electric foot, and it worked fine. As long as the battery is at least as big as an old FXE, which is about the same size as a new Sloptail battery, it'll be big enough to do the job. If'n it is time to change the battery, measure the old one and see if a new AGM maintenance free battery will fit. If you have room, make sure the bottom of the battery compartment has a rubber piece on the bottom. Do whatever you have to do to hold the battery firmly in place. Vibration is a battery killer, and these old beasties do vibrate! I lined my Sloptail battery compartment with pieces of foam rubber from a backpacker matress jammed in around the battery, in addition to the regular hold down strap.

Never broke a kick stand, but I did lose one once.

Keep the plugs gapped, points and timing set, and valve/pushrods/solid lifters adjusted. Then if your carb is good to go, she'll fire up easily.

J&P www.jpcycles.com HD manual 1970-1978 XL/XLH/XLCH part # 902-011 $59.99

Haynes Sportster 1970-2001 part # 165-041 $26.99

Clymer Sportster 1959-1985 part # 160-025 $29.99

Sure looks good!

 

Y'all don't make my head swell up too much! I can't fit into my "Old School Biker" cap now!

All this stuff is from a life-long love affair with Harleys. From the time I get up, check the weather to see how to dress for the ride to work, to answering questions about my bike from people at work, to riding the long way home, to working her when I get home ('cause I want to, not 'cause I have to), to hanging out on this joint with y'all, the day revolves around HD and the people who ride 'em, work on 'em, and love 'em, too.

But I still keep it in perspective: God, family, country, HD. That order never changes.

 

Hey Skip...

I gotta say thats an awesome attitude you have. It's a great example for all of us to follow. Life gets so stressful living in these modern times and I think we loose perspective of what really matters. Glad we got someone with your knowledge hangin' out around here. Best of luck to you!