by DaveC » Tue Oct 02, 2018 12:29 pm
Here is my two cents worth on the tin primary chain covers. From 53 to 69 there were four configurations of covers. They were first introduced in 1953 on the KR bikes, 10 mounting holes, a two piece unit and they were flat across the raised center portion, painted black. They did not have the raised dimple for the nut on the end of the main shaft. The 1958 XLCH used this cover without the 10th hole indent not drilled out, as did all street bike covers. That case boss was eliminated in street bike cases but remained on KR and XLR cases. The second configuration was still two piece and implemented the raised dimple for the drive shaft nut as a running change in 1959. That cover was black from 59 to 63, chrome in 64. The third configuration was a one piece cover that was introduced I believe in 1965, chrome with the indent for the 10th screw. That 10th hole indent remained in place until late 66. Configuration 4 was introduced in late 1966 and eliminated the indent for the 10th hole. It probably was higher as shown in the trail of this post. Comments are always welcomed.