iFixit - Answers With Device "Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution"

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: Clicks when trying to start does not engage.

Sat, 07 Mar 2026 20:34:39 -0700

I have a Harley-Davidson 1999 sportster 1200. I get a hard fast clicking sound when trying to start. I Have put the battery on a charger and let it charge overnight. It still does the same thing. Is this a bad battery? I left it hooked up to the charger and tried to start with the charger in start mode and still just clicking sound.

⟐ Answered March 07, 2026 at 20:34 MST

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: Battery is new but not charging while driving.

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 20:52:33 -0700

My 1991 harley davidson softail has a brand new battery installed and i keep having to jump it to get it to start. I tested the voltage while it was running and it sits at 12.5 12.6 and doesnt go higher. Does anyone know what this may be from?

⟐ Answer edited January 02, 2024 at 20:52 MST

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: Starting problem with ignition?

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 09:08:03 -0700

I have a 2012 Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution. I have NO digital clock/screen, horn,indicators,rear back/brake lights, reg light

I have engine start

Turn key to ignition,it starts,turn key slightly back a couple of mills and everything comes back on.

So between ACC-IGNITION.I have connection.

I also have digital clock display stand down,when it is up.

⟐ Commented August 04, 2023 at 9:08 MST

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: Why can't I shift out o gear?

Sun, 19 Mar 2023 23:47:15 -0700

I have a first bike that has been in an accident with no apparent damage except to frame. I have good auto mechanical experience. None on Harleys.

The gear shift lever does not shift gears. Some thing is going on in the trans but no solid connections. No spring action on the lever. The bike is in gear and won't shift. What's broken?

Is there an online video or tutorial on inspecting for damage? I don't want to tear into something that requires special tools and equipment to result into taking a box of parts to a dealer.

⟐ Commented March 19, 2023 at 23:47 MST

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: bike spins over but will not start

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 12:54:54 -0700

I have a Harley Davidson sports star xl 1989 everything is new including the starter motor which is 14 amp bike spins over but will not start still have fuel . And a good spark but still will not fire up

⟐ Edited March 10, 2023 at 12:54 MST

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: Why does my oil light come on when the motor gets warm?

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 17:20:52 -0700

Why does my oil light come on when the motor gets warm?

⟐ Answered February 21, 2023 at 17:20 MST

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: The motor cycle dies after about 30 seconds

Sat, 24 Dec 2022 18:45:27 -0700

i have a 95 sportster battery is showing 12.5v and a full tank of premium fuel , the bike starts and runs for about 30 sec and dies, i can see the gas spraying but the bike won`t stay running

⟐ Answered December 24, 2022 at 18:45 MST

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: 2002 sportster won’t start

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 05:34:02 -0700

I have an 02 sportster with similar problems an won’t start just clicks! I can push to start it and it runs and rides just fine I can ride for hours but as soon as I turn the bike off, click click click… but yesterday the bike started right up, no problems. Rode 15 20 mins turned the bike off click click! I don’t have any lights on my cluster, Speedo doesn’t work it’s stuck on 30 mph right now, the neutral light or blinkers don’t light up on cluster either but the brightlight symbol comes on every now and then.. could I have a short or something somewhere??

⟐ Commented July 29, 2022 at 5:34 MST

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: How do I get a nut to catch the thread

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 08:11:08 -0700

How do I get a nut to catch thread

⟐ Commented July 11, 2022 at 8:11 MST

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: 2008 harley sportster 1200xl Low bike cranks won't start, no spark.

Sat, 12 Feb 2022 10:09:26 -0700

bike cranks but wont start, no spark. no codes thrown.

bike ran great until I trailered it 600 miles from nc to nj.

then it sat two days on the trailer tipped back on about a 45 degree angle.then I released the tie downs and rolled it backwards in 1st gear off the trailer. all the lights work all fuses are good,starter cranks,can hear fuel pump start,but no spark at plugs.tried pulling the main fuse for a while to reset things. tried cycling the ignition switch. thought it might have to do with the bank angle sensor. any suggestions?

has only 6000 miles.could something be wet, I did hit some rain on the trip.

It's still a mystery. It eventually started after a few weeks and has never happened again. Maybe something got wet or a sensor got stuck. I have no clue.

⟐ Commented February 12, 2022 at 10:09 MST

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: 2003 Sportster 883 clutch problem

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 20:30:40 -0700

Hi I have a 883 Sportster and I am having problem with if shifting, I can leave in first and try to go to second and itll click to N. If i get it to shift gears normal I have trouble getting it to downshift, it'll sound like its shifting but not going to the next gear. I took the primary cover off to take a look in there and adjust the clutch and as soon as lossened the screws fluid came out which i dont think its suppose to do, I can not figure out what it is.

⟐ Answered November 10, 2020 at 20:30 MST

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: How do I change my starter?

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 14:27:39 -0700

how can i change my starter for a 07' sportster

⟐ Commented September 23, 2020 at 14:27 MST

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: 1993 dyna wide glide neutral indicator doesn't lite up clicking circui

Fri, 11 Sep 2020 16:56:43 -0700

1993 Harley Davidson dyna wide glide, when ignition is on and in neutral the neutral indicator doesn't light up, it clicks near circuit breakers, the headlights dim and get then get back to normal with the clicking, and it will not turn over with start button on handle bars but does turn over at button on starter bit will not start. Replaced starter relay and did see thing. Any suggestions?

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: Tappets and push rods

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 18:42:43 -0700

I replaced my cam gears and on 4th gear my tappet is sticking what should I do

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: How do I change the ignition points

Mon, 17 Aug 2020 07:45:45 -0700

How do I change the ignition points on my 1987 883cc Harley davidson sportster

⟐ Edited August 17, 2020 at 7:45 MST

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: Why is my Sportster wet

Fri, 30 Aug 2019 06:23:32 -0700

Plugs are dry but exhaust is wet. Has a bad exhaust leak on the cylinder in question

1998 XLH 883/1200. Sportster

Thanks. JC

⟐ Commented August 30, 2019 at 6:23 MST

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: Why dose my front cylinder stop firing

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 15:01:36 -0700

Front cylinder stops firing then fire's for a couple seconds then stops again

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: E carb break up...

Wed, 20 Feb 2019 09:15:11 -0700

1987 Sportster 883. 1200 heads, s&s E carb, upgraded s&s air cleaner. Was breaking up entire range. Main jet from .070 to .074. Pilot jet from .028 to .030. Much improved but still slight break up mid range. Should i increase either jet, both, or maybe air bleed. Break up is in carb like a fuel starve.

⟐ Answer accepted February 20, 2019 at 9:15 MST

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: no spark on my harley

Sun, 30 Dec 2018 22:24:12 -0700

I'm not getting any spark on my 1993Harley davidson

Harley-Davidson Sportster Evolution: sportster sputtering and backfiring after washing

Sun, 16 Dec 2018 05:02:41 -0700

I pressure washed my bike , now it sputters after running for a few minutes ? any suggestions on what I might check ?

⟐ Answered December 16, 2018 at 5:02 MST