Oil tank brackets

[sportsterpaul]

Thanks to JerryR, he traded me a 52-54 K-model oil tank. Not only that, he taught me the two other tanks I have are 1956 one-year-only and a 1957-and-later tank (see last picture). My question is on two different oil tank brackets I have. I have a loose one I got at a swap meet and it is missing a rib that is on the two brackets mounted on the 56 and 57 tanks I have. Here is the comparison of the bottom rib compared to the 56 tank bracket:

K-model-oil-tank-brackets-1.jpg (86.52 KiB) Viewed 8623 times

And here is the top rib compared to the 1957 tank bracket:

K-model-oil-tank-brackets-2.jpg (88.1 KiB) Viewed 8623 times

I note the bracket that came on the tank that was on my 1954 roller did not have the ribs. I foolishly sold that off since I thought it was a Sportster tank. Wish this site was around in 2012. So here is the last pic that shows the one-year-only 1956 tank on the right-- the feed line fitting comes out parallel to the back of the tank, where the 1957 and later tank on the left shows that feed line fitting coming out at a slight angle.

1957-vs-1956-K-model-oil-tank.jpg (77.66 KiB) Viewed 8623 times

So any opinions about these two brackets, ribs and no ribs, are welcome, I figure to just use the spare one since it matches what I sold off like an idiot. Also, I want to clean up those tanks to sell on eBay, so how do I get the paint off the studs-- Jasco might work. I don't want to bead blast it since the beads will just go everywhere. Is there some brush-on parkerizing I can put on the stud threads since unlike the previous owner, I know better than to paint the threads.

Lastly, are the 62762-52 rubber mounting grommets really 10 bucks each repop? What has the world come to?

[ambike]

For the grommets, try ( gulp ) V-Twin.

Says it's a 5-pack with both halves.

[strong56KH]

I think you are probably right that the extra rib is later. The early K parts manual diagram doesn't show the extra rib. Good spot! Mark

[PAUL]

Toms NOS has those grommets listed for $6.00

[sportsterpaul]

Thanks guys, I will use the separate bracket for the 54 rebuild. I note the original tank that I stupidly sold on my 1954 roller had cherry rubber grommets. Ahhh, the price of stupidity.

I will get some Jasco at Home Depot today and see how that cruddy paint comes off my two extra tanks. If there are are decent rubber grommets on either of them, they will go to my 54. Meanwhile I will look at Toms, better to just rip the bandaid off all at once and buy them.