Fixing up an early 52-54 front end for a chopper

Production K Models

Fixing up an early 52-54 front end for a chopper

Postby wombscum » Thu Oct 15, 2020 7:40 pm

I am fixing up a 33.4 front end I picked up for a chopper build. I have been re-threading and re-tapping all the threads to get it trust-worthy for the road. I am fairly certain this is a '52-'54 set due to the legs. The one issue I am finding is that the threads at the top of the fork tubes are in very rough shape. Any chance any of you know what the size of threads bolt 45756-52 and or the top fork tubes should be? Was going to order a tap and clean up those threads.
wombscum
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2020 7:14 pm

Re: Fixing up an early 52-54 front end for a chopper

Postby Ferrous_Head » Thu Oct 15, 2020 8:48 pm

The triple clamps are different of those forks. The fork tubes don't run parallel to the fork stem.

Look for a -52 casting number. If it's -52A they are later forks.
"I know only too well the evil that I propose, but my inclinations get the better of me."
User avatar
Ferrous_Head
 
Posts: 384
Joined: Tue Jun 06, 2017 5:36 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Fixing up an early 52-54 front end for a chopper

Postby wombscum » Thu Oct 15, 2020 10:05 pm

I do believe it is later trees but earlier legs, has the 45947-52 lowers but may have been mixed with later trees. That said it's a chopper and not a period build so I am not super concerned about matching perfectly. I would like to retap the threads on the plug for the top of the fork tube if anyone would know the size of that thread.
wombscum
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2020 7:14 pm

Re: Fixing up an early 52-54 front end for a chopper

Postby Ferrous_Head » Thu Oct 15, 2020 10:51 pm

I can't see my thread gauges anymore. But you should just be able to measure the caps your going to use.
"I know only too well the evil that I propose, but my inclinations get the better of me."
User avatar
Ferrous_Head
 
Posts: 384
Joined: Tue Jun 06, 2017 5:36 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Fixing up an early 52-54 front end for a chopper

Postby wombscum » Fri Oct 16, 2020 12:05 pm

I am also in need of 46008-54 or a way to help take the play out between the lowers and the fork tubes. I can not seem to find anyone making these, are there any solutions I may not be thinking of?
wombscum
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 15, 2020 7:14 pm

Re: Fixing up an early 52-54 front end for a chopper

Postby Ferrous_Head » Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:27 pm

You might try "Forking by Frank"

You need pullers and reamers to do this right.

If I were going to seriously ride this bike on the street I would consider using later, better forks. These are flimsy things with disaster coming brakes.
"I know only too well the evil that I propose, but my inclinations get the better of me."
User avatar
Ferrous_Head
 
Posts: 384
Joined: Tue Jun 06, 2017 5:36 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Fixing up an early 52-54 front end for a chopper

Postby 55panman » Sat Oct 17, 2020 10:31 am

try Bill's Custom Cycle in Bloomsburg, Pa. They used to do bush and ream rebuild on Big Twin forks but I don't know if they did k and Sporty. They also have huge stock of NOS parts.
55panman
 
Posts: 162
Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2015 4:16 pm

Re: Fixing up an early 52-54 front end for a chopper

Postby JerrryR » Sat Oct 17, 2020 3:38 pm

11-16 x 24 Fork Tube Tap 52-72 Resized.jpg
11-16 x 24 Fork Tube Tap 52-72 Resized.jpg (10.08 KiB) Viewed 8290 times
User avatar
JerrryR
 
Posts: 440
Joined: Sun Jul 20, 2014 9:39 pm


Return to K, KK, KH, KHK

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests

cron