Frame ID

All things K & Sportster

Re: Frame ID

Postby hayleyl » Tue Apr 05, 2016 8:10 am

Thank you again Patrick - early KRTT frame deserves respect, best be giving it some love. Thank you all for your input, Cheers Hayley.
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Re: Frame ID

Postby hayleyl » Wed Apr 06, 2016 3:21 am

Would I be right in assuming my frame is to suit this designation? This looks like similar rake at neck, but fork tubes / trees are not parallel with neck on this pic.
The rake suggests to me that it is intended for dirt only. Cheers Hayley.
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Re: Frame ID

Postby thefrenchowl » Wed Apr 06, 2016 3:26 am

Yes,

Thanks Patrick for the pic!!!

Sliders not // with steering column is normal, due to K and R type triple trees, not frame geometry.

Note where the front exhaust bolts to the extra R bracket in front of tomahawk

That a 1956 works Daytona 200 KRTT bike, so it most likely has a proper KR type frame, unlike yours which is an early version with the std steering head casting.

When they started messing with the K frame geometry from 53 onwards, the racers got their own "R" steering head casting

But racers are known for over modifying their bikes, it probably explains the welding on your steering head!!!

Patrick
Last edited by thefrenchowl on Wed Apr 06, 2016 8:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Frame ID

Postby hayleyl » Wed Apr 06, 2016 3:43 am

Thanks Patrick, yes I did notice exhaust mount, that's one of the things that began to make sense. So my frame being early - would I be right in assuming that the machine would have looked similar in say 53/54? Hayley.
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Re: Frame ID

Postby thefrenchowl » Wed Apr 06, 2016 8:18 am

Yes, would have been looking nearly like a K apart from magneto and oil tank, this is the late 1951 KRTT prototype (and they already knew from the WRTT woes that they would need a 6 quart oil tank at Daytona!!!):

Image

Patrick
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Re: Frame ID

Postby hayleyl » Wed Apr 06, 2016 6:05 pm

Thanks Patrick - so - are KR and KRM frames of that era/vintage significantly different? or is a KR frame (turn left go fast, turn left go fast repeat) the same with a hard tail bolted on? Cheers Hayley.
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Re: Frame ID

Postby hayleyl » Thu Apr 07, 2016 9:23 pm

Hello again everyone. Just would like to 100% clarify a couple of things with my frame - (early KRTT) we're saying. Are the rake angles the same on early KR, KRTT and KRM frames? Also what identifies the difference between KR, KRTT and KRM chassis (apart from swing arm and hard tail configurations). I'm simply trying to pin point this frame. If it could be either KR or KRTT or KRM or specifically one - that will determine the final build style. Cheers Hayley.
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Re: Frame ID

Postby hayleyl » Thu Apr 07, 2016 9:38 pm

And here's another $64,000 question - how many of these frames were produced? Hayley.
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Re: Frame ID

Postby thefrenchowl » Fri Apr 08, 2016 3:33 am

All early K, KR, KRTT, KRM have the same frame geometry, same assembly jig, but plus or minus a few items not put on or added for specific application.

At an unknown date, the KR/KRTT and KRM got their own steering casting, casting number ending in R, carrying forward the same geometry while the KH changed slightly.

In 1958, new KR/KRTT/XLRTT frame to cope with higher engine but same steering angle.

Stayed the same till the end in 1969.

2 different KR rigid rear ends, early short wheelbase, did not last long, then in 1954, longer wheel base.

So your frame could be any of the three... Plus the fact nothing was set in stone in the early days, so racers were indeed assembled with whatever was available on the shelves.

Quantities, not many in the early days, the KR only became popular with racers when it started winning consistently, that's 1954 onwards...

Still, you're probably stuck with using a horse shoe oil tank, so go special all the way!!!

Patrick
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Re: Frame ID

Postby hayleyl » Fri Apr 08, 2016 5:01 am

Excellent, thank you Patrick - now comes decisions, decisions, decisions. Cheers Hayley.
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