Early 18 Tooth K Clutch Gears

[JerrryR]

Hi All,
In my quest to be able to identify all the different transmission parts from 52-72 for K and Sportsters, I acquired a box of rusty trans parts to examine. In it were 3, 18 tooth clutch gears. From a thread on the other Jerry & Mikes' Facebook page "Harley K Model & Sportster: Restore, Conserve, Ride-1952-1970", people were discussing the 18 tooth clutch gear. If I have it right for a "C" ratio gear set? My question is, is the desired 18 tooth clutch gear a newer version of the -52 early one? The -52 early gear has bushings at both ends. Does the desirable gear have a Torrington bearing at one end like the -54 clutch gears and newer?
Thanks,
JerryR

Clutch gear -52 1 Sized.jpg (28.55 KiB) Viewed 6075 times

Clutch gear -52 4 Sized.jpg (36.19 KiB) Viewed 6075 times

Shop Dope Snip.jpg (107.97 KiB) Viewed 6075 times

[thefrenchowl]

Hi Jerry,

Early KR books, 1954 to 1959, only list 2 available transmissions: Standard and Close Ratio.

The std ones have a 17 teeth while the close ones have a 20 teeth "R" clutch gear.

The "C" Ratio with the "R" 18 teeth clutch gear appears around 1960 and is a KR/XLR racing set of gears, ie stronger gear/treatment and most likely to be fitted by that time with a Torrington needle bearing:



But H-D most likely as well had the early bush designed to be the same dimms as the later needle bearing (per example, one can swap the cam bushes for same dimms Torringtons...)

The next question is would you use any early K gearbox parts, knowing their relative fragility???

Patrick

[JerrryR]

Thanks Patrick,
I don't think I would want to use one of the early ones. You also answered the other question I had. I have one of those 20 tooth clutch gears.
Thanks,
JerryR

[thefrenchowl]

Jerry and whom might be interested,

These are all the gears used by HD in their racers prior to the XR era:



Up to 48 different gearboxes can be made, but HD only recommended 12, C being one of many...

Patrick