Wednesday, May 14, 2014
How do I Install 2001 883 Harley Sportster Push Rods
Pushrods, on the exterior of the cylinders on the right side of the engine, are part of an old-fashioned connection between the cam shaft and the exhaust and intake valves on your 2001, 883 cubic centimeter, V-twin Harley engine. Pushrods are specific to 883 and 1200 Sportster engines and Big Twins, but their operation, installation and removal is identical in all 2001 Harley V-Twin engines. Adjustable pushrods can conveniently be adjusted without having to first partially disassemble the top end of the engine. The initial top end job needed to install replacement pushrods is not for novices as clearances are tight, and many tools and some skill are required.
Instructions
- 1
Close the petcock. Put the motorcycle in fifth gear.
2Loosen the fender tab screw with an Allen wrench. Remove the seat.
3Loosen the battery cable from the negative terminal with an open end wrench. Disconnect the cable.
4Raise the motorcycle on a motorcycle jack until the rear tire clears the ground. Ensure the bike is stable.
5Remove the front and rear spark plugs with a spark plug socket and a socket wrench.
6Rotate the engine by rotating the rear wheel. Rotate the engine until the front piston, as viewed through the spark plug hole, is at the top of its stroke and both front lifters are at their lowest point in the compression cycle.
7Remove the front rocker box cover by loosening the rocker cover bolts with a rocker cover wrench. Remove the metal D-ring. Remove the gasket and discard.
8Insert a small, flat head screwdriver blade into the cast loop of the spring cap retainer at the top of the rear pushrod cover for the front cylinder.
9Rotate the screwdriver bottom toward the outboard side while pushing down. Remove the spring cap cover. Repeat the procedure for the other front cylinder pushrod.
10Collapse the upper and lower push rod covers.
11Alternately loosen each of the four rocker arm support plate bolts in 1/4 turn increments until all four bolts are loose. Remove the rocker arm support plate assembly.
12Remove the push rod covers from the cylinder head and lifter cover bores. Remove the three O-rings from the push rod covers and discard.
13Remove the pushrods by hand.
14Assemble the new pushrod covers. Insert the pushrod cover adapters in the cover retainers.
15Insert the new pushrods in the cylinder head and lifter cover bores. Install the new cover O-rings included with the new pushrods.
16Replace the rocker arm support plate into the rocker housing. Loosely install the four rocker arm support plate bolts.
17Tighten the four rocker arm support plate bolts in a cross pattern by tightening each bolt 1/4 turn at a time. Final tighten the bolts to 18 to 22 foot pounds of torque with a torque wrench and a "dog bone" torque adapter.
18Install a new rocker box cover gasket. Replace the D-ring.
19Replace the rocker box cover. Tighten the rocker box cover bolts in a cross pattern to 20 foot pounds of torque with a torque wrench.
20Extend the adjusting screws to remove lash in the pushrods.
21Compress the hydraulic unit in the exhaust lifter four complete turns and tighten the lock nut.
22Adjust slack in the pushrod with your fingers after waiting five minutes. Repeat all procedures for the rear cylinder.
23Replace the spark plugs and tighten them with a spark plug socket and socket wrench.
24Lower and remove the motorcycle jack. Shift the motorcycle into neutral.
25Start the motorcycle and check for leaks.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
How do I Lower 1995 Harley 883 Sportster
You can lower your 1995 Harley 883 Sportster on either the front or the back end. Lowering the front requires you to disassemble your forks and install shorter fork springs. Most Sportster riders do not shorten the fork springs for various reasons, including compromised handling. Lowering the rear end of your motorcycle is a simple job that wont affect the safety of the bike. You can get that slammed-in-the-weeds look for your Sportster by replacing your stock, 13-1/2-inch shocks with shorter ones.
Instructions
- 1
Remove your right and left saddlebags. If you have throw-over saddlebags, remove the seat by unscrewing the Allen bolt that secures your seat to the rear fender. You will probably not have to remove your saddlebag supports. If you have bolt-on saddlebags, immobilize the nut inside your fender with a box wrench, then loosen the nut on the outside of the fender with a socket wrench.
2Raise the bike on a motorcycle jack until the rear wheel is completely off the ground. Make sure your motorcycle is stable.
3Remove the lower shock mounting bolt and the washer nut on one side of your Sportster. Set them aside for reuse. Remove the upper bolt, washer and cover and set aside for reuse. Remove the shock absorber. Repeat on the other side.
4Install the new shorter shocks, one side at a time. Put thread locker on the lower shock mounting bolt and reinstall. Reinstall the upper shock mounting bolt, using thread locker. Repeat for the opposite side.
5Lower the bike carefully and support on the jiffy stand. Reinstall the saddlebags and the seat.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
How to Install a Choke Cable on a 1996 883 Sportster
Chokes help cold engines start. Pulling the choke knob out increases the percentage of gasoline in the fuel air mix. Pushing the knob in decreases the amount of gasoline. The knob simply pushes and pulls a thin wire with a tiny ball on the end into and out of a slot in the back of the carburetor. When chokes are properly lubricated they last for at least a decade. Eventually they wear out or break and when they are broken their owners are often stumped because replacing a choke is a rarely performed job.
Instructions
- 1
Close the petcock valve. Run the engine until it dies. Unhook the old choke cable from the clip near the horn.
2Loosen the two Allen screws on the air cleaner cover with an Allen wrench. Unplug the breather tubes from the air cleaner.
3Loosen the air cleaner Allen screws with an Allen wrench and remove the air cleaner. Loosen the backing plate Allen screws and remove the air cleaner backing plate.
4Loosen the fuel line hose clamp with a flathead screwdriver and unplug the fuel line from the carburetor.
5Label the front and back throttle cables. Remove the cables from the throttle cam.
6Gently pull the carburetor out of the intake manifold boot with both hands. Remove the carburetor and choke cable as a single unit.
7Unscrew the black, plastic, cable sealing cap on the back of the carburetor that connects the choke assembly to the carburetor body. Remove the spring inside the sealing cab and remove the choke valve by gently lifting the cable up and out.
8Thread the wire end of the new choke assembly into the hole in the back of the carburetor. Push the ball and wire down into the slot.
9Replace the spring and tighten the sealing cap hand tight.
10Thread the new choke knob under the gas tank to the choke knob clip. Replace the carburetor in the intake manifold boot. Snap the choke knob into the clip.
11Replace and readjust both throttle cables by hand. Reattach the fuel line to the carburetor using a new hose clamp and a flathead screwdriver.
12Reattach the air cleaner backing plate using the Allen screws and an Allen wrench. Reattach the breather tubes by hand.
13Reinstall the air cleaner and the air cleaner cover using an Allen wrench.