did not take long guys.  i had a bad failure last weekend.  was giving it a fist full in top gear, bit of a clunk, then lost all power.  once pulled up tried to re-start.  it kicked over but sounded rough.  bit of a rattle and few minor clunks then she stopped.  from then on when trying to start its just the starter motor whirring, there seems to be no compression.  i have had a fella take a prelim look and the report back is all the timing looks good so now need to open her up to have a look.  she is 92 xlh sporty 1200.

just after any of your educated guesses boys.

Have you tried push starting it? does it have any resistance?, could be your clutch? so many variables, don`t go pulling it to pieces until you have checked the basics, may be something like a starter solenoid. I am not familiar with sportsters. 

you said you were in top gear, with it wide open. how many rev's?

i tend to agree with chopperW,  but you said you had it go bang? i've seen bottom end bearings go ( rollers wear or break up ) and that allows piston to go further up the bore & possibly hit the head. but lift heads & look it's not that hard..

also seen lifters rotate on sportsters so rollers go side on. there is a fix i think Zippers sell to stop that. but if it has happened it's too late fr the fix.

good luck hope its easy & simple, all we are doing is guessing .

thanks for the feedback boys. KK i knew all that could be thrown around would be guesses, so all good.

quick progress report : conned a mate into coming around and helping me work it out. i have learnt a shitload over the last week. it has been great. gut feeling about the compression results being crap looks as though it was correct. replaced the plugs and she fired up on the 2nd try. bit rough though and prob just needs the timing fiddled with. my mate is thinking its electrical, even maybe as minor as just a crimped wire. he is saying the clunk i heard came AFTER the power loss, which will always happen when lose all power at 100 + k's. but still guessing though. better than a new engine which was the FIRST suggestion of the guy i got to have a look at it. he had taken only 3 steps in my garage before that came out !!

actually really pissed about the guy i got out. his first reaction was to start poking around with my timing gear. thankfully it looks as though he hasnt touched anything in there. just over complicated it from the word go. he also told me that my primary was stuffed. either trying to rip the fuck out me or just doesnt know harleys. and if he doesnt know about them he should have said so, as it was the first question i asked him.

thought i would share with you guys.  you reckon this has got anything to do with no compression ??  glad i did not take first advise and go and buy a wrecked sporty cause my engine was completely rooted.

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The leads have nothing to do with compression.

If it doesn't have compression have you checked the pushrods ?? Do they go up and down when the motor is turning over ?? Your top end could be in good shape and you broke the pinion shaft. pretty common in sportsters. dsv

Dicko thank you for your thoughts on the mechanics but the state of my abodes flooring has nothing to do with you. Anyway vacuuming day was yesterday & think they came up well. ; )

dsv all good mate. Got her going mate.