harleyKmodel

In the past few months, we've added several Technical articles to the website. Take a look at the New Old Stuff section on our "Home Page" to see what's new.

The latest is a treatise on XLCH Gas Tanks. Please take a look - we'd appreciate any comments.

HELP WANTED - If you have a 1960 to 1965 XLCH tank in your workshop, we'd love a nice clear photo of the bottom of the tank. That would finish up the article!

We'll be working on the Large Tanks, petcocks and gas lines, badges and decals in the coming months. Rust never sleeps...

Tanks a lot Dave, I think my late 56 is in the site somewhere. Or I can resend. K tank with XL cutouts factory.

XLCH tank underside

Not sure if this is what you are after? Pinched from a recent ebay auction of a very nice tank.

Simon wrote:Not sure if this is what you are after?

Simon,

That is exactly what we were looking for. We think we've got this subject nailed down. But Harley often tosses us some surprises. So if anyone's got some facts that throws our current theories into the nearest black hole, bring 'em on...

Erik - yep, your late 56 tank is on here. Just gotta get a "round tuit" on documenting the large tanks.


But first, PETCOCKS. This an easy topic, because Jerry Raino has covered the hard part of the subject over in "Carburators - DC Linkerts". But we'll try and cover the whole range here under gas tanks, 'cause that's where the Parts Catalogs list it.

Dave

Hi all,

What started the craze...:

OEM 1954 to 1957 KR/KRM/KHRM small tank, ref 61000-54, with OEM racing gas tap:



Can someone elaborates a bit to explain how the factory would have brased (very expensive...) rather than welded (cheap...) straight in the 2nd bund for nearly 2 years before modifying the press tool to stamp a hole with required outside edge to weld the threaded fitting in (cheap again...)?

Patrick

thefrenchowl wrote:Hi all,

What started the craze...:

OEM 1954 to 1957 KR small tank, ref 61000-54, with OEM racing gas tap:

That fuel valve looks quite similar to this one


Yep, it's a 61400-47, which was used on 1948 - mid-1950 Model 125s


More Hummer Heritage? If you look at an original 1952-1955 K/KH taillight, the red lens will say "H-D" and "125" at the "point". Harley retired the "hooded-style" tail lamp in 1939, but they brought it back in 1948 for the Model 125. The 1958-1952 Model 125s and 1953-1956 Model 165s use similar "hooded-style" tail lamp as the 1952-1955 K/KH. The mounting brackets were different, but the lenses were the same - you'll find the same part numbers in both Hummer-series and K parts catalogs.

The 1948 version of the 68091-20 Tail lamp red lens had H-D 125 embossed. Frugal Harley just used these on the Model 125/165's "Big Brother".

thefrenchowl wrote:Can someone elaborates a bit to explain how the factory would have brased (very expensive...) rather than welded (cheap...) straight in the 2nd bund for nearly 2 years before modifying the press tool to stamp a hole with required outside edge to weld the threaded fitting in (cheap again...)?

The same reason we drive on a parkway and park in a driveway...

Dave: The same reason we drive on a parkway and park in a driveway...

Communication problems again!!!

So an operator has made the hole in the bottom of the tank before setting his jig then weld the top and the 1st fitting.
Then change his settings on the torch and take another filler rod, dip it in the flux, heat profusely and braze the 2nd fitting in, then has to get rid of all the flux that has turned to glass, better sand blast it...

I say no way, it's much quicker to weld everything in, same torch settings, same filler material, no cleaning afterwards... and the foreman would see that in an instant.

I'm just asking should brazing in the article be replaced by welding...

If you or other have found braze on bottom of tanks, it's more likely later repairs when factory production time is not involved.

Then you might tell me that maybe they had say 500 tanks in stock that were moded by brazing the 2nd bung in and I would reply I can't see HD being that financially dumb that they would make 500 KR tanks at once in the 1st place... ; O )

Patrick

thefrenchowl wrote:I'm just asking should brazing in the article be replaced by welding...

Patrick,

Done. And the photo of your tank now graces the page. You got a photo of the top?

Dave

Dave,

Brazed or welded... I wasn't saying I'm right, just checking with others to recheck if they are really brazed!!!

I remember my 59 being like that, added bung, but can't recall brazed or welded... It's been long gone...

Tank above: was on a nice dismantled 1953 KRM on eBay in 2009, Simon will remember it, it went for a song...:





Patrick

PS, this KR "one bung tank" was only used till the arrival of the 2 bung variety, so KRs after 58 get the XLR/CH tank... so, 54 to 57 only, that's why it is a rare thing to see, the one above is the only one I ever saw on eBay, but then, I don't look now as often as I used to, other projects... ; O )

http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,17003.0.html