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

PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 7:40 pm
by wombscum
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.

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

PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 8:48 pm
by Ferrous_Head
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.

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

PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 10:05 pm
by wombscum
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.

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

PostPosted: Thu Oct 15, 2020 10:51 pm
by Ferrous_Head
I can't see my thread gauges anymore. But you should just be able to measure the caps your going to use.

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

PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 12:05 pm
by wombscum
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?

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

PostPosted: Fri Oct 16, 2020 4:27 pm
by Ferrous_Head
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.

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

PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2020 10:31 am
by 55panman
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.

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

PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2020 3:38 pm
by JerrryR
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 8292 times