IH: Oiling & Lubrication - Sub-04J

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====== IH: Oiling & Lubrication - Sub-04J ======
====== Pics and Information on 1979-1981 Sportster Oil Tanks ======
See also in the Sportsterpedia; \\
….. *[[techtalk:ih:oil04#oil_line_routing|57-85 Oil Line Routing]] \\
….. *[[techtalk:ih:elec02m#pics_and_information_on_stock_ih_battery_trays_and_parts|Pics and Information on stock IH Battery Trays and Parts]] \\

Click on any pic below to enlarge: \\
===== 1979 Sportster Oil Tank =====
Click on a pic to enlarge: \\

Triangle shaped side, battery box built into it. The drain plug (704) is on the left side of the bike on the side near the bottom of tank. \\
The oil filler neck is shorter than the -80 tank and is hidden behind a removable cover which also hides the battery. \\
The frame has welded on hooks to attach the cover up top with a screw on the bottom into the frame. \\
The left side is exposed without a cover and had a "Made in USA" transfer emblem in the center. \\

Capacity: It's not clear what the actual oil amount is for the tank. Technically is a 3 quart tank. \\
<blockquote>
1979 owner's manual 99466-79A page 6: oil tank = 3 quarts ((DDDDylan of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/157939-1979-oil-tank-fit-1980-xlh#post3354418)) \\
1979 service manual 99484-79 page 1-1: oil tank = 4 quarts \\
1979 service manual 99484-79 page 3-2: "...oil tank capacity is 3-3/4 quarts \\
1985 service manual 99484-85 page 2-1: 1979 oil tank = 4 quarts \\
Actual capacity of my 1979 including filter change when bike is sitting nearly level: \\
Two quarts, start engine, shut her off, then add maybe ~8 more ounces to get to the top of the fill line. \\
 I can add more if it is on the side stand, but obviously that's a good way to make it over flow when I stand the bike up straight.  \\ </blockquote>
1979 XL-1000/XLCH-1000 owners manual (99466-79) states oil capacity at 8 quarts. ((Hippysmack)) \\
It also shows a pic of a sight tube on the left side of the bike on the front edge of the oil tank. \\
But that is actually standard equipment for the 77-78 XLCR. The 79 frame is not the same as the XLCR frame although similar in production. \\

Colors: \\
62449-79 - Prime \\
62450-79DH - Vivid Black \\
62450-79EN - Concord Blue \\
62450-79EP - Chestnut Brown \\


{{:techtalk:ih:oil:1979_sportster_oil_tank_pic5_by_iron_mike.jpeg?direct&300|}} ((Photo by Iron Mike of the XLFORUM)) {{:techtalk:ih:oil:1979_sportster_oil_tank_pic4_by_iron_mike.jpeg?direct&300|}} ((Photo by Iron Mike of the XLFORUM)) \\

{{:techtalk:ih:oil:1979_sportster_oil_tank_pic1_by_iron_mike.jpg?direct&300|}} ((Photo by Iron Mike of the XLFORUM))
{{:techtalk:ih:oil:1979_sportster_oil_tank_pic2_by_iron_mike.jpeg?direct&300|}} ((Photo by Iron Mike of the XLFORUM)) {{:techtalk:ih:oil:1979_sportster_oil_tank_pic3_by_iron_mike.jpeg?direct&300|}} ((Photo by Iron Mike of the XLFORUM)) \\

==== 79 Cover ====

**Oil Tank Cover Mounting Brackets on the Frame**: \\
The 80-81 frame will not take the 79 cover. \\
The 79 frame has welded on tabs for that cover (third pic below) , and a welded in place nut for the bottom mounting bolt, that the 80 frame does not have.  ((IronMick of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/35891-1979-xls-battery-cover?threadid=69284)) \\

{{:techtalk:ih:oil:1979_oil_tank_cover_by_chevy57harley79.jpg?direct&300|}} ((photo by chevy57harley79 of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-styles/sportster-motorcycle-project/10589-1979-ironhead-ground-up-restoration/page2?t=16847&page=2)) \\

{{:techtalk:ih:oil:1979_oil_tank_cover_mounts_pic3_by_randy3934.jpg?direct&300|}} ((photo by randy3934 of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/148916-ugly-1980-battery-oil-tank-cover-alternative-idea?t=1616499)) {{:techtalk:ih:oil:1979_oil_tank_cover_mounts_pic1_by_randy3934.jpg?direct&300|}} ((photo by randy3934 of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/148916-ugly-1980-battery-oil-tank-cover-alternative-idea?t=1616499)) {{:techtalk:ih:oil:1979_oil_tank_cover_mounts_pic2 by_randy3934.jpg?direct&300|}} ((photo by randy3934 of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/148916-ugly-1980-battery-oil-tank-cover-alternative-idea?t=1616499)) \\

\\

===== 1980-1981 Sportster Oil Tank =====
Triangle shaped side, battery box built into it. The drain plug (704) on is on the left side of the bike at the bottom. \\
There is an extra mounting tab welded to the top inner side of the tank in front of the vent nipple. \\ 
An "L" shaped bracket (66279-80) is attached there that is slightly curved on the end with a pad under it as a hold down point for battery. \\
The left side is exposed without a cover and had a "Made in USA" transfer emblem in the center. \\
The oil filler spout is higher up on the 80-81 than the 79 tank and the right side cover (66601-80) has a molded cutout to go over the spout and also exposes the battery. \\
You can check oil level and fill the tank without removing the cover.

Capacity: 4 quarts \\

Color: \\
62587-80 - Wrinkle Black \\

{{:techtalk:ih:oil:1980-1981_sportster_oil_tank_pic1_by_cycle_warehouse.png?direct&300|}} ((photo courtesy of Cycle Warehouse https://cyclewarehouse.online/ (Ebay seller cyclewarehouse) )) 
{{:techtalk:ih:oil:1980-1981_sportster_oil_tank_pic2_by_cycle_warehouse.png?direct&300|}} ((photo courtesy of Cycle Warehouse https://cyclewarehouse.online/ (Ebay seller cyclewarehouse) )) \\

{{:techtalk:ih:oil:1980-1981_sportster_oil_tank_pic3_by_cycle_warehouse.png?direct&300|}} ((photo courtesy of Cycle Warehouse https://cyclewarehouse.online/ (Ebay seller cyclewarehouse) )) 
{{:techtalk:ih:oil:1980-1981_sportster_oil_tank_pic4_by_cycle_warehouse.png?direct&300|}} ((photo courtesy of Cycle Warehouse https://cyclewarehouse.online/ (Ebay seller cyclewarehouse) )) 
{{:techtalk:ih:oil:1980-1981_sportster_oil_tank_pic5_by_cycle_warehouse.png?direct&300|}} ((photo courtesy of Cycle Warehouse https://cyclewarehouse.online/ (Ebay seller cyclewarehouse) )) \\

==== 80-81 Cover ====

{{:techtalk:ih:oil:1980_oil_tank_cover_by_harry.jpg?direct&300|}} ((photo by Harry of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/152844-1980-battery-cover?t=1646316)) \\

===== Tank / Frame Compatibility =====
79-81 tanks are 15" between the hole centers. ((IronMick of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/80373-tank-options/page2?t=587574&page=2)) \\

Oil tank mounting tabs on 1979 frame: \\
{{:techtalk:ih:body:1979_frame_-_seat_area_pic1_by_ladysweettea.jpg?direct&400|}} ((photo by LadySweetTea of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/144379-78-vs-79-seats?t=1565437)) {{:techtalk:ih:body:1979_frame_-_seat_area_pic2_by_ladysweettea.jpg?direct&400|}} ((photo by LadySweetTea of the XLFORUM https://www.xlforum.net/forum/sportster-motorcycle-forum/sportster-motorcycle-era-specific-and-model-specific/ironhead-sportster-motorcycle-talk-1957-1985/144379-78-vs-79-seats?t=1565437))

Oil tank mounting tabs on 1980-1981 frame: \\
{{:techtalk:ih:body:1981_sportster_frame_pic4_by_cleanmotorcycleframes.jpg?direct&400|}} ((photo courtesy of Ebay seller, cleanmotorcycleframes, [[https://www.ebay.com/str/cleanmotorcycleframes|Link to Ebay Store]] )) {{:techtalk:ih:body:1981_sportster_frame_pic9_by_cleanmotorcycleframes.jpg?direct&400|}} ((photo courtesy of Ebay seller, cleanmotorcycleframes, [[https://www.ebay.com/str/cleanmotorcycleframes|Link to Ebay Store]] )) \\

Here is a mock-up of a 79 tank in an 80 frame. \\
{{:techtalk:ih:oil:1979_sportster_oil_tank_pic6_by_iron_mike.jpeg?direct&300|}} ((photo by Iron Mike of the XLFORUM)) \\


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