harleyKmodel

Hi,

From a request from Spacecoast:





This was an early uncoded K frame, I had to cut the rear tank mounts so the rear rocker box would fit...

Still, I had to present the head at 90 degs, then turn it into place!!!

I had a later K/KH frame, sill uncoded, did not need to trim it to fit the same engine in...

Patrick

Thanks French.

The last engine I dropped into a frame was a 66 engine into a 62 frame. The engine simply would not fit with acorn rocker box box on the rear head. This frame had been straightened though so all bets are off on any of the dimensions. When you straighten a frame in a jig you locate only certain "critical" points on the frame and the frame is made to match those points.
But it reminded me that Greg McDonald (well known in Australia for his work on frames) told me the Japanese frames he straightened for production race frames were built with a 5% tolerance. While 5% seems a little high when you consider one part of the frame could be - 5% and the one next to i +5% now your talking 10%
But even in the late 70's when Greg told me this the Japs were using production line techniques while our beloved Sportsters were "hand crafted", lovingly, by skilled artisans.
My mate Chris dropped a Sportster engine into a frame about 10 years back and from memory it slid into place with no great difficulty. But who knows what year K that was (I can't remember) or how straight the thing was.

Does the brake work better on the left?

No, Redpan,

Just done for the fun of it and show what you can do with std parts!!!

Patrick

Well, I guess you've got the only one.

Actually, there's three of these, at least.

My '59 is in a 54 frame. Like Patrick, I found it "interesting" to fit everything.

However, with a 19/18 wheel combo, the suspension geometry is very, very good.

That old one of mine, long gone, was 21" front 19" rear, and very light, no gene or battery, chrome moly frame... about 385 lbs all in...

Chuckthebeatertruck, can we see pics of yours?

Patrick

Hi, Patrick:

Of course I'm happy to share pictures.

Here are a few general shots; as well as some closer shots to show others just how tight a bone stock sporty motor fits in a K frame. Like many guys building strokers; the rear rocker box got some love to make it all work. I'm kinda kicking myself after reading your "present the head at 90 degrees." I don't know what that didn't occur to me.

Here's the mostly bare frame with the top end just installed




Right after I finished her several years ago




How she looks now:




And a couple of shots to show just how tight a fit everything really is. I had to modify the bar cover considerably before sending it for rechroming and everything fits just so.





Oh, and yes, I know the paint job is a 1960 scheme