1989 Sportster Build HELLLLPP!!!!

[janallen23]

Here is the deal I recently got this bike accompanied in a trade. I have never built or even worked on a bike so I really have no clue where to start. This is the condition that it came in. Just a quick overview and I have noticed that I don't think that the wiring harness is hooked up correctly, and it does not have a battery or a seat. I am going to need some major help from the community on resurrecting this bag of bones, back to a magical bike.

The bike came with a bag of parts, and in pieces!

[janallen23]

[sunchild2071]

Get a service manual, and a parts manual as your very first step. Those, combined with the knowledge on this forum, will get you smiling.

Basics first, check all fluids for condition.

Check for compression (use tire and tranny in high gear) so you don't just crank it over and wreck something.

How long has it sat?

[janallen23]

I have no clue how long it has sat since it was last ran. As I tried to say before I haven't fired it and the wiring looks to be incomplete. Should I just re-wire completely. I don't think the guy that traded to me knew much about it.

Or atleast he didn't tell me much!

[sportbobster]

You definitely have your hands full. Hope it was worth the trade. But no matter what, good luck in your process. Plenty of help on here.

[JackAttack]

Originally Posted by janallen23

I have no clue how long it has sat since it was last ran. As I tried to say before I haven't fired it and the wiring looks to be incomplete. Should I just re-wire completely. I don't think the guy that traded to me knew much about it.

Or atleast he didn't tell me much!

Get a service manual and parts manual.

I hate wiring, so I would get a battery and see what actually is wired up before I decided to completely rewire everything.

edit: Looking at the picture again it really doesn't look like anything is wired up...you need a young priest and an old priest..

The factory service manual has wiring diagrams in it.

[brianbbs67]

Originally Posted by JackAttack

Get a service manual and parts manual.

I hate wiring, so I would get a battery and see what actually is wired up before I decided to completely rewire everything.

edit: Looking at the picture again it really doesn't look like anything is wired up...you need a young priest and an old priest..

The factory service manual has wiring diagrams in it.

See if this works, vade retro satana !

[EvIL sTevE]

I currently have my wiring harness stripped completely apart with all components installed and working. Let me know if you need any specific pics and I should be able to help you out.
The electrical is actually extremely simple on these bikes despite looking overwhelmingly complex at first glance. You'll find if you open it all up quite a few wires makes multiple passes across the length of the harness with a few spliced junctions around the tank area. Notably tgese are the ground wires (black) left right and tail lights (tan, blue and purple, dont quote me) Each one of these junctions performs a single function on a specific circuit if you essentially eliminate them physically or mentally then you've eliminated almost half the bulk.

[K1rodeoboater]

First thing I'd do is drain any fluids in there and run a compression test. If the engine needs work now's the time to find out, not after you get everything installed and ready to run. Plan on rebuilding the carb if it's been sitting for a while.

After that I'd be rebuilding the wiring harness how you want it and deleting circuits that you don't need/want any longer. Just go ahead and build it from scratch, it's not that hard to do just time consuming. At least then you will know for sure the wires are good and not cut/spliced/hacked to death. To break up the monotony do a fork oil and brake fluid change and inspect your chain and sprockets (replace if need be). If the tires are old as dirt just replace them, it's not worth risking everything just to save a few bucks on tires which you will likely need either.

Once you have the wiring and engine sorted bolt on the tins and take her for a shakedown ride

[janallen23]

UPDATE:

I have completely gutted the wiring and I am in the process of new wires completely that way I know what is where and how long its been there. (easiest way to make sure there are no shorts).

I have ran into a pretty big problem......

Assembling the rear wheel it seems to be off to the right a few mm's I don't know what I need to do or if it is even safe to have a solid rear on an 89 sportster frame. I will attach some photos, any pointers will be appreciated.

Thanks,

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