53 K Spokes Recommendations

[EKHKHK56]

That sure looks to be the right one.

[Mayday53]

Ok, so I will have the original rear rim and a V-Twin replica on the front. I ordered the spokes for the front, but cannot find the rear spokes, at least I cannot find spokes identified as K model rear rim spokes. Will basic 19" Harley spokes work for that year?

[EKHKHK56]

Hi Mayday. If you have the early 52-54 HUB they are different than 55 and later hub. 55 hub used standard Big Twin style. The 55 and up spokes are standard for K, XL through the 70s. However they have to fit your rim style when ordered. Original rims take longer spokes than Drop Center rims. Erik K

[Mayday53]

"If you have the early 52-54 HUB they are different than 55 and later hub. 55 hub used standard Big Twin style."

-- I have the original 53 K model hub, which is a drop center rim.

Good Rim.jpg (86.06 KiB) Viewed 13536 times

"The 55 and up spokes are standard for K, XL through the 70s. However they have to fit your rim style when ordered. Original rims take longer spokes than Drop Center rims. "

-- So can you help me, which are required for the 53 rear hub?

[EKHKHK56]

OK. With the early hub there are two different length spokes. One type for Left side long #43026-52 8.5" and the Right side which are shorter #43025-52 7.5" for STANDARD #43010-52 19" rim. Standard or original has a gentle round hump where the nipples go. Most Drop Center Rims have a squared off look from what I have. Your rim looks like it is drop center but round. Maybe it's the photo. Could be an old aftermarket I don't know. Need side photo shot. Examine the low center roll by the nipples in the parts book. So if you have the early HUB and this rim is a "custom" Drop Center than the spokes will need to be shorter than listed above to fit. Erik K

[EKHKHK56]

After looking hard at the rim I don't recognize it as a K rim unless it's the angle of photo. K 's didn't have Drop Center style.

[Mayday53]

How sure ar eyou there was no drop center? The literature I have shows a drop center in the K model.

This is the bad front rim which I am replacing.

Bad Front Rim 53 K model (replacing with V-twin replica).jpg (113.17 KiB) Viewed 13535 times

This is the good rear rim, it has a nipple pull through which is being repaired.

Rear Rim 53 K model.jpg (168.97 KiB) Viewed 13535 times

Parts manual rear rim

Parts Manual - 53 K rear rim.jpg (127.04 KiB) Viewed 13535 times

[EKHKHK56]

Note the construction of the rim where the nipples seat. The front one is correct For K with the slight round. The rear should match.

[Mayday53]

It sure looks like it does her "live"...I guess I will find out when I get it going...heck, I already bought two rims at $199 each and they ended up being for a 1970-1974 sportster...

[EKHKHK56]

Mayday, it is hard to tell from the photo. The rim is probably correct. I eyeballed one of my 52K wheels and the round hump looks quite different at different angles. So the H-D part numbers for those spokes should be good to order spokes from Buchanan. Have to talk to Kenny probably to insure correctness since it's a special 52-54 only set. Erik K