I noticed my front cylinder leaking a little oil between the case and the cylinder, if I don't have any other engine problems can I just replace the gasket and be done, or does it need to be re- ringed as well ? And if I need to put new rings in the engine what about the rear cylinder, can it be do on the bike , or do I need to remove the engine?Any help at all would be great. Thanks................It's a 89 sportster 883...

I would say a gasket would take care of it. Thing is, while you're at it, the rings wouldn't hurt. It is an 89, so you could justify it as preventative.

I would say if you have the time, patience and dough, do the gaskets and rings. If you don't have the dough or patience...do just the gaskets and see what happens.

Either way, don't let it go too long....you don't wanna leave an oil slick on the road. Take care man.

Yea I think I'll go ahead and re-ring it while I am in there. Hey what about that rear cylinder it looks like its alot harder , can I do it on the bike,or do I need to pull the engine ?..... Thanks man...........

I'd just pull the engine to do it. It will end up being a lot easier and you'll probably learn a shitload if you pull it out. Let me know how it goes.

Worth the time to pull the motor. Then you can maneuver it around any way you need. Good luck on the repair.

Sound like out she comes. I'll get back with yall when I do it and let you know how it went. Thanks for the the help.....................

The job can be done easily without pulling the engine. Once you get the rear rocker assembly off there's plenty of room.

Motorhead, is it difficult to get to that point though? Does it depend on the bike? Any tricks you can suggest on the dissasemble?

It's easier if you remove the gas tank first. Next remove the top motor mount and then the carb and intake. After that it's pretty easy. Except for gasket scraping, of course. Just make sure to follow the torque sequence for the head bolts.

My main worry was if there is enough clearence between the frame and the rocker cover, it only looks to be mabe a half inch or so. Is that going to be enough room ? I am planing this job after the holidays so let me know. Thanks....................

It'll be plenty of room. Once the four allen screws are removed the top section of the rocker pulls straight out. Then raise the center spacer up and it pulls out. You will then see all the fasteners that hold the lower cover to the head. On the primary side of the bike remove the two allen screws at the front and rear of the rocker cover. Move to the carb side of the bike and you will see three 1/4" hex bolts.(7/16 wrench) Remove those. Now you have four 5/16" bolts left. Loosen them in a clockwise pattern one quarter turn at a time until they are all loose. Raise the cover up and turn it left and right enough to pull the pushrods out. Make sure you mark them because they are different lengths. Wipe the oil off your shoes and remove the head.(FOLLOW THE LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING SEQUENCES IN THE MANUAL EXACTLY) Post when you get ready to pull it down and I'll offer what help I can.

Thanks mann, sounds like you know what your talking about, so I'll be getting back with you on this project. Thamks again.....................