Ironhead Rust in the Jug What does it mean???

[jollyroger83]

A buddy of mine just picked up a halfway done bobber project '73 Ironhead sporty. He says the guy that sold it to him said the motor ran about a year ago, but it hasn't been cranked since.

My buddy doesn't know a whole lot about bikes and is starting his first project. I used to work on cars for a living and rust in a cylinder is usually a sign of coolant leaking in (i.e. blown head gasket). Obviously the Ironhead is air cooled, so I'm curious what anyone's thoughts are on what it could be.

My buddy's pretty anxious to crank it over to see if it'll start. I'm finding myself wanting to tear into it and see what is wrong, before any more damage could be done, if it'll even turn over.

Any ideas what it could be?

[dr.feltersnatch]

is it surface rust or worse? Where are you located, and is it a local bike? I know there has been a lot of cars that were flooded during Katrina and then relocated else where. And by in the cylinder does that mean you have the head off? If not are you just looking through the spark plug hole?

[jollyroger83]

Not sure on the bikes history. My buddy wanted to throw a battery on it and crank it, but said the motor hadn't been ran in a year. I pulled the plug to check it (it looked alright), but Inside the spark plug hole, the cylinder wall looked like it had a pretty thick coat of rust on it.

Can you think of any kind of mechanical failure that would cause that? BTW, I'm in Colorado; famous for our super dry climate. Not sure if the bike's been here for it's whole life, though, so that is a good point to consider.

Thanks.

[dr.feltersnatch]

I can't think of any mechanical issues that would cause it to rust other than it being stores outside with the plugs or carb or something removed or possibly a flood. If its just surface rust its probably ok

[Rudy2]

Most likely rain got into it. By cylinder I assume that you mean that one or both of the engine cylinders has rust inside? I sort of wonder how he knows, but at any rate if that is the case it probably was parked outside and rain found its way in. Water gets into everything given half a chance. Just ask any guy from Seattle. I guess the question is "how bad is it"? If a light coating I would be inclined to turn it over with some Marvel Mystery oil squirted in the cylinder. Then vacume it out with a shop vac rigged with a PVC hose bought at the hardware store. Do that several times and then see how it runs. Worse case is a new set of pistons and a bore job so there really isn't much to lose by trying the cheap route. An upper end tear down and rebuild will cost more than you think. I know from first hand experience.

[jollyroger83]

Good to know, and thanks for the advise, folks. I'll pass it on.

[IronMick]

Check out the Stickys, accessed thru the last of the red posts at the top. Study the one Dehibernating An IronHead. Everything you need to know is there.

[johnnyjellybean]

I seriously doubt the motor "ran about a year ago"

[Ags]

Where in Colorado are you? My powdercoater gave me a name of what they say is a good mechanic for the older engines. If you want it, let me know, I'll have to look it up at home.

[jagdprcp]

I would recommend doing the top end at the very least. While the cylinders are off, I would inspect the bottom end as well.