1979 sportster information

[kalonwilcott]

hello, i need to know how to set the cam gears in my 1979 xls sportster. upon pulling the cover off to change the leaking gasket, one of the gears fell out. knowing that timing must be exact, I stopped right there until i could get more info. after talking to a mechanic, I placed the engine at top dead center and should be ready to put the gears in but i am worried the i will do it wrong and bend the valves. so any good advice that some one could tell me, i will listen.

[Motorcycle Forum]

[pitzz]

The '79 Sportster is the MOST spastic model year Sportster anyone can own. A parts nightmare! There are parts on that bike that are only found on that year and that year alone. It actually becomes a point of pride to '79 owners. '79s are the FAME bikes (Fits All Models Except '79).

[pitzz]

hello, i need to know how to set the cam gears in my 1979 xls sportster. upon pulling the cover off to change the leaking gasket, one of the gears fell out. knowing that timing must be exact, I stopped right there until i could get more info. after talking to a mechanic, I placed the engine at top dead center and should be ready to put the gears in but i am worried the i will do it wrong and bend the valves. so any good advice that some one could tell me, i will listen.

Get the factory service manual. All your cams should have index marks on them and the manual will spell out the proper sequence and procedure step by step. I have an '83 and it was pretty straight forward, but knowing what I know about '79s I won't take a leap of faith and say your bike is set up the same way as mine. Get the book first!

pitzz

[DHHD]

Hi, I am new to the site and new to Harleys in general although I've always been an admirer. I am not new to classic bikes and the joys and nightmares that come with ownership. I currently have a "78" Triumph Bonneville 750. I am thinking about buying a "79" Sportster but from what I've read this is called the "Bastard Sportster". I don't have any $$ to buy a newer model thanks to "Bonnie". I like the old stuff anyway and don't really do alot of miles each year. So I think I might buy the "Bastard" since it's from the same era as the Triumph. I sat on a 89 1200 "sporty" and the thing seemed really small. What is the frame difference on the "79"? Any help or feed back is much appreciated.
Thanks, DHHD

[DHHD]

I guess I forgot to mention that I have only seen pics of the bike bike and haven't driven the two hours yet to sit on it or ride it.

[oyrider]

I've owned a handful of bikes that would break 150 and 160 mph, but the fastest I've ever gone was on my brother's 79 Sportster at 95 mph. The bike vibrated so much that the grips seemed to double in size and the rest of the bike made me feel like we were into ludicrous speed!!! It wasn't real fast, but it sure felt like it!