[CTony]

I’m sorry, I wasn’t clear. He wants my Tow Pac trike kit for on his 2003 Sportster.

He wants to trade me a 1980 Sportster 1000 for my Tow Pac trike kit.

So I’m wondering if there are any known problems with the 1980 Sportsters to look out for.

I believe its one of the last years for AMF. And as far as I know the issue you said in your post (electrically) rewiring the bike was a common problem. AMF had some cool paint jobs. So in my opinion you're getting the better deal in this trade.

 

[BrianInVA]

I finally got back home from visiting family and had a chance to get the rebuilt carburetor back on my ’91 Sportster.

Success!

It finally starts, runs and idles smoothly:
Barn find ‘91 Sportster 1200 - it finally starts, runs, idles

 

[1/2 Ton]

I finally got back home from visiting family and had a chance to get the rebuilt carburetor back on my ’91 Sportster.

Success!

It finally starts, runs and idles smoothly:
Barn find ‘91 Sportster 1200 - it finally starts, runs, idles

What the heck was that "Ca-Klunk-Klunk" just before it dropped to idle?

I know you didn't drop it in gear without wheels under it! That drive belt would get pizzed!

 

[BrianInVA]

What the heck was that "Ca-Klunk-Klunk" just before it dropped to idle?

I know you didn't drop it in gear without wheels under it! That drive belt would get pizzed!

There’s a slight kink in the return throttle cable right above the carb from when I put it back on tonight, that I gotta straighten out. I think that was keeping it on higher speed, not high idle. I just gave the throttle a slight blip and it returned to idle, that’s the only thing I could hear. It’s idling right at 1000rpm. (Yes, I’m not much of a mechanic, but I know not to drop it into gear with the wheel off.)

 

[1/2 Ton]

There’s a slight kink in the return throttle cable right above the carb from when I put it back on tonight, that I gotta straighten out. I think that was keeping it on higher speed, not high idle. I just gave the throttle a slight blip and it returned to idle, that’s the only thing I could hear. It’s idling right at 1000rpm. (Yes, I’m not much of a mechanic, but I know not to drop it into gear with the wheel off.)

Glad you got it running! Something about that first light off, sure sets the heart racing and with a sigh of relief!

I was sure you didn't kick it into gear, it just sounded like it... That post would have read much different had it eaten that belt! Guess it was just the way your phone picked up the crack on the exhaust sound. (I'm near deaf, so i keep the volume of the computer at 100%) And the hearing aids are in and on...

 

[BrianInVA]

Glad you got it running! Something about that first light off, sure sets the heart racing and with a sigh of relief!

Thanks! What a relief, first time running and idling in 11 years.

Now I just need to mount the wheels and adjust the brakes and let it run long enough to get it up to operating temp. Hopefully that and the new fluids will free up the frozen clutch. Then I can take it for a first test ride.

I was sure you didn't kick it into gear, it just sounded like it... That post would have read much different had it eaten that belt! Guess it was just the way your phone picked up the crack on the exhaust sound.

I just watched it again here. The sound is a little different here than when viewing it on YouTube and you’re right, it was the crack of the exhaust when I blipped the throttle that sounds odd. Maybe it’s more compressed here. But I started it several times and it ran and idled well each time.

 

[Breeze3at]

A couple of things that may help free the clutch plates. If your battery is strong, put the bike in gear, pull the clutch lever and rock the bike back and forth, or hold the front brake lever and tap (don't hold) the start button. That may help break them loose.