| Author | Message | ||
     Sshbsn |
Well, I've put the almost mighty FZR up for sale, thinking I'd build myself an old cafe bike over the winter. As luck would have it, somebody is offering me a '72 Sportster mildly chopped (6" over), "needs starter and minor work to run". It isn't really the project I had in mind to build, but it does sound pretty interesting. Has "lots of extra parts, black with lots of chrome." So, how are those old ironheads to work on? I briefly had an '05 Sportster Roadster which I really liked, which I know is a different beast than this '72, so I really have no experience to guide me. I know this isn't much to go on, but advice would be terrific. The bike is in the next town over, so I can go have a look this week. I know there's at least one or two folks in here who have experience with old Sportsters. Anything in particular I should look for? Thank you Steve | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Just built one through the shop, definitely get ALL the parts from the original owner that you can. The stuff is hard as hell to come by for original replacement parts. The shifter is on the other side of the bike for that year. THAT will take some getting used to it. I recommend that you demo it, and if you cant manage to ride it, because of that, that you step away from it, no matter what the price. (ie in a panic you might end up down shifting w/o the clutch instead of braking~ which is how we ended up with the bike in our shop originally) | ||
| Dfishman |
They are easy to work on...........................................Which is good because they require a lot of work......................................But they sound great & are real fun to ride! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
1972 was an oddball year. You might have problems getting parts. Almost as bad as 1979.  OLD pic. | ||
| Sshbsn |
1972 was an oddball year? I see my Harley education is lacking...I thought that the ironhead sportster engines were all basically alike. Are the engine parts hard to find, or more like turn signal switches/brake calipers etc? If I do the deal, I don't want to go through what I just did to find valve shims for the FZR--it wastes days simply looking for commonly used parts. I know the HD has no valve shims, but that is an example of MIA engine parts taking a bike off the road. If the engine/trans parts are relatively available, I can live with the rest or change things out as needed. I just don't have the free time I'd like, with my job getting in the way of my fun the way it does... That's a sweet bike, Nate! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
1972 was first year of 1000cc engine. Also first year of 12v system. I read that the cylinders are different from 1973-on models. But really the only red flags you should be seeing are if previous owners modified it. The word "chopped" makes me nervous. Are you able to take it for a test drive? | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Oh one more thing: I still have that stupid '79 and will be putting some of these in soon:  Andrews PB+ grind | ||
| Sshbsn |
Nah, I can't test ride it. He says it won't run, "needs starter." But if my memory serves, it has a kick starter. If I see a huge carb and straight pipes, I'll know why he can't get it going with his leg! He's emailing me photos in the morning. I'd like sorting it out and building it up if it's sound and if vital parts are available within one or two days' search. But if he's hacked it up, or if it could take weeks to find a valve or etc., I may pass. First year of the 1000cc and 12 v, huh? You see, that's the sort of thing that really sucks me in. It's a motorcycling disease that all of us in here have to a certain extent...  | ||
| Sshbsn |
Say, what kind of power/power curve do you expect to get with those Andrews? I know nothing about the old HD engines, except that the old sportsters sounded wicked! | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
Sshbsn, gonna try to put you in touch with a bud who has lots of experience with old hogs. Shoot me a pm with an e-mail addy if you like and I'll get him to talk at ya. Best wishes. | ||
| 46champ |
I had a 72 Sportster bought it brand new kept it for 15 years. The major problem is they blow head gaskets. That was the first year of the 1000cc motor which was accomplished by boring 900 cylinders. This made the head bolts too close to the cylinder wall, when the cylinder was pulled you could see the shadow of the head bolt hole in the cylinder wall. The bolt hole was also threaded to the gasket surface and that is where they start leaking. It was also the last year of the drum front brake with the skinny front forks. The second year of the wet clutch, not a bad item if you don't mind adjusting clutches every 500 miles. I think it was the last year with the speedo drive in the transmission. Their were other unique features of this year. BUT they looked like a Sportster should. I would get favorable comments till I sold it. If you buy it make shure you get all the parts, alot are used only on that year. You don't need heads I have a set of Branch heads and Sifton cams for it. | ||
| 65460 |
Check these guys out: http://xlforum/index.html They even have a cafe racer forum | ||
| 65460 |
Well, that didnt seem to work when i tried to click on the link, maybe copy and paste www.xlforum.com | ||
| Saintly |
Also first year of 12v system. Actually, Sporty's have been 12 volt since mid year 64. They even had electric starters as early as 1967. | ||
| Sshbsn |
Wow, this is a great place! Thank you for all the pointers. Wile_e: I'll send my email after work 65460: I used to stop in the xlforum when I had my sportster, especially the exhaust threads. I'd forgotten about them... 46Champ: when you say they look like a sportster should, it reminds me once again that HD discontinued the "peanut" tank for '08. Can't hardly believe it. If I trade, I'll get in touch about the heads/cams hi ho hi ho off to work I go | ||
| Akbuell |
If you get it, be sure to check out the folks at J&P Cycles. Lots of vintage H-D stuff, especially in the vintage catalog. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
sportster still has the peanut tank, its just 3.3 gallons, its on the nightster, xl883, & xl883l. The bigger tank was the original though, the peanut didnt come out till 58 | ||
| Djkaplan |
Run away, run away... | ||
| Xl1200r |
The peanut tank was originally taken from the HD Hummer and wasn't a Sportster part to start. The new 4.5 gal tank the XL's are using looks more like the 'original' sportster and K model tanks did back in the day. | ||
| S1eric |
What DJkaplin said ! Just kidding I like vintage bikes (HD). But they do require a lot more attention. I have owned 2 Iron Heads & don`t think I will ever want another one. Sold my 79 just this summer what a great feeling. S1Eric | ||
| S1eric |
How ever. I should have kept the XB9R I sold. S1Eric | ||
| Ducxl |
They're all hunks of junk.Technology moves forward. Mine was an 89" '87XL that had it's stator BEHIND the clutch basket and always shorted out with contact with the rotor (glued to the inside of the clutch basket).Stay away.. | ||
| Sshbsn |
Now, the local HD dealer told me there was no more "peanut" tank for the sportster as of '08, that they all (including the 1200 Roadster) will have the tank that was previously only seen on the "custom" model. ?? Still waiting on pics through the email. If they don't come in, I might call the guy up and see if I can just pop over tonight. Thanks everyone for the multitude of advice. Ducxl: Remember, Buells have used hopped up Sporty engines in the past, and still use a derivative of it now. I like Buells, and I like Sportsters, and really I like anything with two wheels. I've never seen a motorcycle yet that I would dismiss as a "hunk of junk." Old bikes may need more maintenance, but they reward you with greater mechanical feel and involvement. Just because tech moves forward doesn't mean that the new stuff is more enjoyable than the old... | ||
| Badlionsfan |
as long as you like wrenching more than riding, you'll love it. | ||
| Ducxl |
"hunk of junk."  Maybe a little strong.I was previously disappointed with the performance before AND after major adjustments to my Sportster.I really like the early evo 2.25 gallon peanut tank.Those bikes were sleek and curvy chromed.But technology always moves forward and solves previous screw ups. Our beloved Buell engines have performed admirably at least since 1999.About the only Sportster years i'd consider would be between '92-'02 1200s' | ||
| Just_ziptab |
I had a 67 and a 72 Sportster. Right shift on the 67, left shift on the 72. 1971 may have been the last "right shift" change over year. Insurance was kinda high on the 72 because of the bigger engine and drum brakes. Loved the 2.25 tank style with the "Sportster" script decals......not much range tho. Tons of parts on eBay. Never had a major breakdown..............cept a wheelie that went very bad. I still like wire spoke' d wheels the bestest. ........  | ||
| Saintly |
1971 may have been the last "right shift" change over year. Actually, sporty's were right shift till and including 1974 models. 75 & 76 had "psuedo" left shift which was just a cross-over linkage to a right side shift pawl shaft that never worked properly. Only 1977 & up were real left side shift with the pawl shaft exiting from the left case & thru the primary. And the shaft was SPLINED! Hooray!!!!! | ||
| Sshbsn |
AAAARRRRGGGHH! His WIFE doesn't really want the bike to go. His WIFE!!  He's going to talk it over with her and let me know. What about these wives I read about who want their guys to sell their bikes?! Who'da thought this would happen? Well, now I'm all psyched up for building an old Sporty, whether chopped or cafe'd! He's going to talk things over with her and let me know.... | ||
| Coal400 |
That right shift is goofy to get used to... I've ridden a 74 that my buddy owned and it was a good time from what I remember. Its definitely anything but precision. I remember, the headlight shook real bad and eventually broke at the mount point on the aluminum housing. She was a leaker too; and you if you were a friend with concrete drive, you'd better intercept that bike when you heard it coming. | ||
| Ratbuell |
peanut tanks are still out there for '08, on the Nightster and the 883L. For the Ironhead? 2 words: "lock. tite." LOL. Fun bikes, but they require attention. |
