Lower cylinder positions - 1957 Sportster in Gallery

Classic short-frame models

Lower cylinder positions - 1957 Sportster in Gallery

Postby GaryM2 » Thu Nov 15, 2018 9:22 pm

Please look at the picture of the white and blue 1957 Sportster in the gallery.

http://www.harleykmodel.com/fullsize.ht ... =1600x1200

http://www.harleykmodel.com/fullsize.ht ... =1600x1200


Are the lower cylinder heads on backwards? See the base of the heads for detail.

shouldn't the stampings be on the right side of the engine and the part numbers be on the left side? Was this a mistake?
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Re: Lower cylinder positions - 1957 Sportster in Gallery

Postby strong56KH » Thu Nov 15, 2018 10:37 pm

No, the castings were opposite on the 57 XL cylinder bases. Not sure if this extended to late 57 and into 58.
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Re: Lower cylinder positions - 1957 Sportster in Gallery

Postby GaryM2 » Thu Nov 15, 2018 10:56 pm

Out of the 6 - 1957 Sportsters in the gallery, only 2 are set up that way. The white and blue and the white and black models.

The Harley Museum Sportster is set up with the stamping on the right side and the part number on the left.

Which is correct?
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Re: Lower cylinder positions - 1957 Sportster in Gallery

Postby themike » Thu Nov 15, 2018 11:32 pm

Are you asking about the HEADS or the CYLINDERS? If Cylinders, they fit ONE way. There may be a difference year to year regarding #. I think that is your question, right?
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Re: Lower cylinder positions - 1957 Sportster in Gallery

Postby Simon » Fri Nov 16, 2018 4:37 am

That's something I wouldn't have noticed - good eye!
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Re: Lower cylinder positions - 1957 Sportster in Gallery

Postby strong56KH » Fri Nov 16, 2018 10:24 am

If you look at the Pohlman photo of the 57 XL, the part casting numbers are on the right side and forge castings on the left. If these were cast in batches, it would follow that early VIN 57 XL's would have been fitted with these at the factory. When the cylinders were cast in the opposite configuration is unknown, but you don't see this configuration beyond 1958 as far as I have observed.
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