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XLH front fender mounting

PostPosted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 3:09 pm
by xlh59
before I go crazy, I got to ask here ...

If I mount the "large" XLH front fender like the XLCH or early XL/XLH fender with the ears outside the fork tube tabs, the fender gets bend beyond what seems to be correct. If I mount the ears inside the fork tubes, the whole shape of the ears does not make sense -- besides the fact, that why would Harley mount the same ears in two different ways. On pictures you can find the feder mounted both ways, but maybe someone knows it here ...

thanks!

Re: XLH front fender mounting

PostPosted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 6:40 pm
by Nightrain00
I have over 400 photos of K’s and ironheads on my phone, including some factory photos, and I haven’t seen any mounted inside the tabs. On the other hand, sometimes you just gotta do what works.

Re: XLH front fender mounting

PostPosted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 7:17 pm
by mikeslemmon
it's probably a v twin after market fender . they don't fit well but with a rubber mallet and some patients you can make it fit

Re: XLH front fender mounting

PostPosted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 11:00 am
by xlh59
Thanks for the replies ...
@mikeslemmon: It is definately an original fender, we are talking about a front fender -- I don`t think, the front was ever reproduced.
@Nightrain00: Do you have a good sample picture of a XLH, where this is clearly visible? On most pictures the tab is not really visible ...

Re: XLH front fender mounting

PostPosted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 11:35 am
by strong56KH
If you are talking about the skirted front fender that was first used on the 1959 Sportster, the middle strut with the turned edge should fit outside the slider tab with the outer edge of the slider tab inside the turned edge of the strut. If you are mounting it with the turned edge against the slider tab, then the edges of skirt will be stretched out more.

Re: XLH front fender mounting

PostPosted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 12:07 pm
by strong56KH
It's interesting that the part numbers for the fork slider tubes changed at some point from 45944-52 to 45948-52 (left) and 45946-52 to 45947-52 (right). Does anyone know how they differ, if at all?

Re: XLH front fender mounting

PostPosted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 1:17 pm
by xlh59
strong56KH wrote:If you are talking about the skirted front fender that was first used on the 1959 Sportster, the middle strut with the turned edge should fit outside the slider tab with the outer edge of the slider tab inside the turned edge of the strut. If you are mounting it with the turned edge against the slider tab, then the edges of skirt will be stretched out more.


That`s exactly the point! The skirts get bent outwards if you mount it that way. That`s why I was wondering ... but it seems logical, that the slider tab mounts inside the turned edge, as they fit perfectly together.
Thanks!

Re: XLH front fender mounting

PostPosted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 3:25 pm
by Mark.A
In the 52 parts book it lists 45944-52 and 45946-52 as not polished.As far as mounting the fender it should fit just like any other fender.The one I found for my 62xlh I don’t think it had ever been mounted on a bike. I had to drill the hole for the brake tube clamp and remove the front fender strut and remount it to make it fit