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1980 FXS 80/80 Harley Davidson Hippie Chopper

I'm a relatively new motorcycle owner, I got a 98 Sportster. What would you say is essential maintenance? I sorta know what I can slack on with cars... Bikes I'm clueless
 
I'm a relatively new motorcycle owner, I got a 98 Sportster. What would you say is essential maintenance? I sorta know what I can slack on with cars... Bikes I'm clueless

change the oil, I don’t know much about post 1984 motorcycles. Essential for a sportster is a 1275cc bore kit though for sure. I don’t like stock motorcycles so I don’t keep anything stock ever.

you’re going to want to make sure the brakes are good. Tire pressure is good. Fork seals arent leaking. Don’t store it empty on fuel or the tank will flash rust. I wouldn’t slack on anything because even a slight failure can mean life or death.
 
I'm a relatively new motorcycle owner, I got a 98 Sportster. What would you say is essential maintenance? I sorta know what I can slack on with cars... Bikes I'm clueless

Buy the manual. Do the services by the book. Trust me.

Biggest neglected issues on that bike are the wheel bearings. They are a tapered Timken style bearing that need to be serviced every 10k miles. Wheels need taken off. Then seals, bearings, and spacers pulled and cleaned of all grease. Then reassemble with axle to mock up and torque to spec so that end play can be checked and adjusted if needed. Once that's done, they can be regreased and reassembled with new seals and reinstalled on the bike.
 
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Buy the manual. Do the services by the book. Trust me.

Biggest neglected issues on that bike are the wheel bearings. They are a taped Timken style bearing that need to be serviced every 10k miles. Wheels need taken off. Then seals, bearings, and spacers pulled and cleaned of all grease. Then reassemble with axle to mock up and torque to spec so that end play can be checked and adjusted if needed. Once that's done, they can be regreased and reassembled with new seals and reinstalled on the bike.

Thanks man. I got the Harley manual for my model year. I think I'm just burying my head in the sand because my bike is at right about 25k miles. It's a huge service interval obviously so there are a million things listed that I gotta do. Ain't nothin to it but to do it I suppose.
 
Thanks man. I got the Harley manual for my model year. I think I'm just burying my head in the sand because my bike is at right about 25k miles. It's a huge service interval obviously so there are a million things listed that I gotta do. Ain't nothin to it but to do it I suppose.

Just like eating an elephant, only gets done by taking one bite at a time. Do one item or a portion at a time. Eventually you will have done it all.

Other option is take it to a shop. 25k on that one is not a real big service. With a bump for being so old, it's probably about 3-3 1/2 hours labor.
 
This is the guy doing my paint and this is basically the same theme I’m going for. Frezetta mural and all.

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HELL YEAH dude looks great!!!

thanks! She’s getting there! Almost finished with the mock up. Then the tins are going to paint and the bike is getting completely torn down everything that hasn’t been rebuilt will be. Frame is going to media blaster to check for cracks. All new bearings in and out. Be at least 6 more months before it’s totally finished.
 
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