Just got my first Motorcycle....got a few questions

[Tcoupe]

After a couple of years of searching I came across a good deal on this 72 Sportster chop on E-bay....so I bought it without asking the seller much about it. Well after fixing a very obvious pin hole in the oil tank (located under the gas tank) and fooling around with the carb, I decide to go for a ride. First off, the clutch will not dis-engage enough to allow for gear changes...it will go into first but nothing else, I have adjusted it from the access on the primary cover and from the cable adjustment without any improvement....what is the proper way to adjust the clutch? Any ideas why it would be doing this?

Next, I removed the primary cover to inspect every thing...well now I need to know what kind of oil to put back into it and how much....does the primary/clutch area share oil with other parts of the motor or is it a separate system?

Lastly, the bike has a S&S super E carb....it was leaking horribly from the bowl vent (? its on the right side aiming down) so I reset the float level, cleaned the hell out of the bowl and needle and seat, and added a fuel filter. It doesnt leak as bad now but will start to drip after a while if I leave the petcock on the tank open...could it be that the fuel is just over loading the needle and seat and causing the bowl to over flow? Any suggestions?

[Tcoupe]

I like the bike, but have already started rebuilding it in my mind...first off the oil tank has to go, a nice round one under the seat will do just fine. Next the sissy bar is gonna get cut down...it has alot of aluminum brackets and plates for the accessorys...I will polish them up all nice. As for the yellllllow....its gotta go too, I thinking black frame with dark dark metallic green tank, fenders, etc. I would love to find a spinger for it too. Its got a paugco frame with unknown stretch/rake, fatboy rear tire and brake and alot of nice after market stuff...master cylinders, foward controls, etc.....Not bad for just over $3000....so what do you think?

[Slag Kustom]

trans primary and clutch all use the same fluid. i use only harly sport trans fluid. i think it takes 3/4 of a quart but i would have to look it up. been too long to remember. the clutch plates may be sticking to the disks when you have the primary off take the clutch basket apart and make sure they are not stuck.

[brewsir]

if the carb is leaking when it's parked be sure to shut the petcock....or it can leak into the cylinders and cause problems. If it leaks when running ...it must needa better rebuild.

[slammed]

Great retro look.

[SinisterCustom]

Double check your needle and seat in that carb. There may be a small burr or nick on either one causing the carb to slowly overflow. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Big Dirty]

Check the clutch pushrod, once thats out of adjustment your through....nice bike!

[lilbill]

could be a problem with it having aftermarket clutch plates. i've installed barnett racing plates that were too thick and dragged or it could have cheap taiwan plates in it that swell from soaking up oil. check out this LINK (http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/hdclutch.htm) for more ideas. btw, if the frame has a sportster neck, a harley 45 springer will bolt on. and loose the fatboy tire http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[dixiedog]

I second the clutch rod, or check the cable to see if there is adjustment there. Also make sure the clutch cable isnt corroded inside and dragging, this happened to me on an old dresser that I used to have.

Second on loose the fatboy rear wheel for a nice laced one with a white wall to make it look more correct.

Take the carb off and soak it in a can of carb cleaner, get the $20 rebuild kit, my guess is the rubber on the needle maybe swelled and distorted.

One other thing, 72 was one of the bastard years for the sporty that AMF tried some redesigns, so not many other year parts fit them.

About painting it dark green, think Green Bean bike - 'nuff said.

I like the bike and for the money you done good.

[whizzerick]

... just for inspiration...

[lilbill]

[ QUOTE ]
... just for inspiration...


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i've seen very few sportsters that i really liked but this bike is NICE. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[disastron13]

You're talkin all the tech stuff, but if this is really your first bike, there are a lot of more important things than style and paint...
I know Ft Smith has a new rider's course, borrow a little Honda or a dirt bike and take it.
I hope your crowd wears helmets, if they don't, don't let yourself be an idiot.
If you like playin guitar or holding small wrenches, get some good gloves, not the fingerless Harley ones that the posers wear.
After the bike is in tune, take it to a big parking lot and find out what the MAXIMUM braking capability is...just slam on both binders until you are really good at it, and know what your bike will do.
Carry a tire pressure gage.
Learn all the tricks fast- like how to watch the front wheels of parked cars, how to notice spilled anti-freeze and gear lube on the road, how to ride smoothly and fast in the rain.There's a lot to learnSet a goal of being as good at riding as you are at driving.
After a year, tear it down and re-style it and paint it. By then you will know what you need.
Put your car keys away for a month- then you'll get to know your machine.
Good luck man

[=mike=]

more sportys http://www.zoo.co.uk/~z0006413/images/bike8_jpg.jpg

http://www.zoo.co.uk/~z0006413/images/Dscn1734_jpg.jpg


http://www.zoo.co.uk/~z0006413/bill4.jpg

[Tcoupe]

Thanks for all the replies...lots of good tech advice to work with....and thank you to disastron13 for pointing out the safety part of it. I like the pics that some of you posted....any more would be great!

I talked to a guy at the local chopper shop today...I explained to him the problem with the clutch and without even thinking about it he asked if it had sat for a while and it has for about a year...he says that the clutch always sticks on sportys after they sit for a while...so it looks like I will be fixing that this weekend.