Going to look at a 77 sportster

[Cossack]

Going to look at a 77 sportster. Guy says one of the cylinders has a bad oil ring. Motor will run for 10 minutes and then quits fills up with oil. Makes no sense. So I'm thinking top end will have to be redone, that's fine. He is asking 1500 for it.
My plan is to build a rigid bobber using this bike as a doner. 
What all do I look at when checking out this thing. This will be my first iron head.

[Burnout]

Oil lines may just be connected wrong. Or the worst is crank or something coming apart and has ruined the oil pump.

[Panzer]

I'd check the oil level first thing and see if it's over filled.
Maybe as simple as that.
Keep us posted on what you find.

[harley_cruiser]

I would run a compression test. Yea what Panzer and burnout said bad oil pump.

[Cossack]

Ok guys I'll let you know how it goes

[Racepres]

Simple...ask the seller if he checks the oil regularly...Betting he is putting oil in a Cold Engine...

[ihrescue]

Could possibly be something blocking the oil ports in the cylinders and heads since its all gravity fed once the oil is pumped to the top. Could have been a poor gasket placing covering up an oil route or debris. Seems you should also see oil movement in the oil tank as the oil is circulating. If not that could be another indicator. If present there may be an oil filter that is part of the oil tank in the 77 again another place to look for evidence of debris.

[JW113]

Well.... Cossack? You said you'd let us know.....



-JW