K Model date codes

Production K Models

Re: K Model date codes

Postby EKHKHK56 » Mon May 20, 2019 9:15 pm

If you have a late -55 front reinforced tube frame it is quite rare and desirable. Nothing says that frames and engines didn't sit around at the Factory for lengths of time until joined together. A 55 is a 55. Period. Or late 54 is legal too for 55 Korrect. Erik "K"
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Re: K Model date codes

Postby JerrryR » Mon May 20, 2019 10:34 pm

Hi again Flathead,
Would it be possible for you to post some pictures of your frame in particular the date code on the lower right side of the tank boss, the neck casting and the front downtubes? I could see where if someone stripped out the 3/8 fine coil cover bosses that they might retap to coarse to make them work, having said that they would not have been able to and you will not be able to use the standard coil cover bolts "Spark Coil Studs". What is intriguing me however is the idea that HD was still using -52 welded neck frames as late as May of 55. The latest I was previously aware of was an I4 or September of 54.
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Re: K Model date codes

Postby Simon » Fri May 24, 2019 1:40 am

JerrryR wrote:Hi Flathead
A 5E frame is a late 55 not an early... For your early vin you need a late 54 date codes frame, 4F or newer. It could be one of the last welded neck -52 castings or a-52A neck. Make sure it has the 3/8 fine threaded coil cover bolt bosses on the left rear downtube, not the 5/16 coarse.


Hi Jerry, what month do you consider to be the first of the following year/season - F?

Thanks,

Simon
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Re: K Model date codes

Postby JerrryR » Fri May 24, 2019 8:40 am

Hi Simon,
Based on observation with 2 specific data points, I believe June (F) was the transition month. I have examples of F3 frames that were the last of the 53Ks and first of the 54Ks. I also have examples of F6 frames for the last of the Ks and the first XLs. I can't say this practice was a factory policy and would be open to frame model year changes happening in other than June. For example the asymmetrical seat casting with the right underside boss for mounting the 65H coil and the 65CH voltage regulator happened about April of 64, shows up on the late 64 model year frames. Likewise the VIN boss for the 70 models appears to show up about April of 69. I think that June most likely is a good bet for significant model year changes like the rake angle from 53 to 54 or the neck raised between 55 and 56. For changes that were compatible between model years I believe you could see the change occur late in the previous year as they used up remaining parts' and transitioned to the new ones.
Have a great day,
JerryR
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Re: K Model date codes

Postby hugoct » Fri May 24, 2019 10:36 am

Has anyone done a similar analysis regarding date changes on the KR frames? The 47006-52R frame has 21 revisions with the neck angle change of 2 degrees as the seventh change on October 15th of 1953. The last change was April 16, of 1970. 7/16/52 holes added for mounting the small gas tank, 11/19/52 52 steering head replaced with 53R steering head. 10/15/53 steering head pulled in 2 degrees. 12/11/56 steering head replaced with 53RA steering head. (my guess is this would be the 57R casting). The 57006-58R frame gets 9 revisions with a change to the steering head angle in February 4th of 1966.
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Re: K Model date codes

Postby Flathead Fathead » Sat May 25, 2019 9:11 am

I'll try to get my wife to post some pictures, I'm a computer dumbass. Thanks for all the input. Ya'll are giving me some hope of getting the numbers fairly close. My frame definatly doesn't have the Sportster type down tubes, it's definatly a -52 frame . It's certainly not a pristine frame but it won't take much to get close to right.
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