harleyKmodel

Hey I was wondering did the 1952 K models come from the factory with fork boots? I’ve seen some photos of some 52’s and most don’t have them but a couple photos I’ve seen they do. I just want to be sure. Thanks for any info.

'52-53 K Models had cowbells. 54 KH and later had rubber gaiters.

The 1952 and 1953 came with the "cowbells". Take a look at all the factory literature (in our literature section) - all the 1952-1953 bike have cowbells.

The boots appeared in 1954, and the 1954 Spare Parts Catalog lists a "kit" which contained everything you needed to adapt the boots to the 1952-1953 bikes.



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When we look at KR factory racers and other non-production bikes, we find a few oddities. Take a look at the Literature page, in the 1953 section, the image "Enthusiast May 1953". Things to notice are the two Ks in the middle - they are obviously racers - both are missing the fork tins and headlights (the one on the left has some funky aftermarket headlight), and they both have fork boots. Are they KRs? Or just dealer-modified bikes? Other things to notice is that the Model 165 on the right has the 1954 Spring Special paint job. And the KK poster on the wall - outlined in red.

More KRs with fork boots? The Enthusiast for April, May, July 1953 show KR racers with fork boots (see the Literature: Enthusiast section). This is not unusual - many new ideas were developed for or tested on the factory racing bikes. Some ideas eventually found their way onto production bikes.

Dave: the image "Enthusiast May 1953". Things to notice are the two Ks in the middle - they are obviously racers - both are missing the fork tins and headlights (the one on the left has some funky aftermarket headlight), and they both have fork boots. Are they KRs?

KRM

See the fat black blob in place of the timer? That's the huge Wico magneto.

Cut down front fender = also KRM

Patrick

There is a 53KRM in the archive book. Different looking boots, should have a high pipe I believe, or non repop. Shorty muffler. Alloy rims. Handlebars kind of different, tall Speedster? Flat looking seat? Interesting Model.

That KRM is an interesting machine. Doesn't look fully stock to me - different oil tank etc. The rubbers could be from a Japanese bike?

Simon this is sketchy restore for sure...Boots look like YZ400, Seat, Bars, Oil Tank, Pipes not what I have seen in other KRM photos. Just saying, can't use this archive photo for help.

Alloy rims are wrong too, and that Sportster muffler.