by hennesse » Mon Jan 11, 2016 3:00 pm
gabbyjon,
I've got the same question as I'm getting together my re-chrome order for my 1954 KH. The parts books are not always correct, but here's how it looks to me from reading the parts books. Maybe some guys with more actual experience can respond.
Harley, in their infinite wisdom, throws a monkey wrench into the discussion by calling two things by the same name. "Fork slider tube" appears in the parts books to describe both what I'm calling "fork tubes" (the long skinny things that go through the triple trees), and what I'm calling "fork sliders" (the short fat things down by the front wheel). The 1963 parts book calls my "fork slider" simply as "slider"
The 1952-1953 Ks used the metal decorative covers rather than the fork boots. The fork sliders needed to stop any oil leaking out or water leaking in. For this, they used the 45852-52 oil seal and the 45850-52 felt washer and 45859-52 felt washer retainer.
In 1954, they introduced the rubber fork boots. They removed the felt washer and retainer, and added the 46008-54 boot retainer, lower. The felt washer retainer goes in the same place as the boot retainer, so the felt washer retainer had to go to make room. They left the 45852-52 oil seal in the slider.
In 1955, they discontinued the 45852-52 oil seal. I guess they felt it was un-necessary - and more important to Harley, an un-necessary expense! These do not appear again. They have been dropped from the 1963 and later catalogs completely.
The fork sliders stay the same until the late 1960s. The fork tubes changed in 1955, but I think that they were simply one inch shorter to go with the new frame geometry. The -55 fork tubes continued on the 56 KH and XLH up to the mid-1960s. The -52 fork tubes reappear for the 1958 and later XLCH, and also as a "special 1" more road clearance" for the XLH. I don't know of any other differences.
So it looks like the 45852-52 oil seal is "optional" for 1954. Harley hadn't quite figured out they didn't need really them. They are probably a good idea if you can find them - our fork tubes and bushings are probably a bit worn over the last 60 years. But I'm not going to kill myself looking for them. But please let us know if you can find a source - the 1952-1953 K owners do need them!
Dave