1953 K ... on the road finally

Production K Models

1953 K ... on the road finally

Postby sgtoepfer » Thu Jan 25, 2018 1:03 am

In light of the previous topic on the 54KH I figured I would share a little info on my current 53 project.

I purchased this 53K from a racing family in Sturgis, and was given the OK that it was ready to race. I immediately took it to my local race, where it died in 3 laps. It would start cold, and die hot. I decided to avoid any further testing, and sent the bike to St Louis to be rebuilt by my pals Jason Adams and Greg Osborn. Sure enough, the cam cover had been siliconed which had worked into the oil passages. The piston looked like it had been dragged behind a Mack truck down I-5. We were glad the cases weren't damaged, but it was another lesson that I should never fully trust a previous owner's word on the condition of a motor.

I decided that this motor wouldn't be put back on the track again. I had taken my 53KK to the Sacramento Mile earlier in the year, and learned the hard way that a standard K is no match whatsoever to a KR. So, until I could land my ass on a proper KR, I would not tempt fate with a set of cases on a track.

I didn't have enough proper K-model road parts to do the build correct, but I wanted this bike on the road. I adapted a few parts I had around the garage and made myself a little town cruiser. It's had a few different iterations, and I'm chasing more correct parts to potentially work with.

So here it is today:

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IMG_4938.JPG (298.64 KiB) Viewed 9060 times


It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but at least it hits the road at 55mph.
sgtoepfer
 
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Re: 1953 K ... on the road finally

Postby sgtoepfer » Thu Jan 25, 2018 1:08 am

Here is a previous setup... I might go back to this.

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sgtoepfer
 
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Re: 1953 K ... on the road finally

Postby RunninWild » Thu Jan 25, 2018 7:13 pm

Lookin good! I really dig the way it's looking right now
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Re: 1953 K ... on the road finally

Postby thefrenchowl » Fri Jan 26, 2018 3:39 am

Wrong frame, why not, it does not distract me too much,

But wrong swing arm, oh gawd, that does...

Looks like a lean leopard with a broken back...

Patrick
Flat Head Forever
https://web.archive.org/web/20071011184353/http://www.harleykrxlrtt.com/index.htm
I'm the one who has to die when it's time for me to die so let me live my life the way I want to...
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Re: 1953 K ... on the road finally

Postby sgtoepfer » Fri Jan 26, 2018 4:21 am

Hey Patrick, if you read what I wrote, I built this out of the parts existing in my garage, and the left overs from the racer. So, at least it’s on the road. The swingarm annoys me too, but I am not sure what to look for if I decide to go on a dumpster diving crusade.

Are either of these correct? I've learned to be quite wary of ebay descriptions.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Sportst ... Swh1haGKh1

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-XL-Spor ... 1438.l2649
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Re: 1953 K ... on the road finally

Postby thefrenchowl » Fri Jan 26, 2018 8:42 am

2nde one is the correct length, straight with no double kink in it:

Image

I wasn't too critical, but these old things deserve at least contemporary parts!!!

Hope you'll get the swing arm at the right price. It should be a dead swap for yours...

An early K frame would be a most as well, but I do know prices can be offputting...

Patrick
Flat Head Forever
https://web.archive.org/web/20071011184353/http://www.harleykrxlrtt.com/index.htm
I'm the one who has to die when it's time for me to die so let me live my life the way I want to...
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