62507-52

1952-1953 K, [early 1954 KH]

The salient feature of this tank is the suction outlet (Feature #3) which is at the 6 o'clock position. Later tanks have the outlet at the 8 o'clock position.

It is possible that this tank was used in early 1954, even though the 1954 Spare Parts Catalog (SPC) shows the -52 being replaced by the -52A, and the -52A being used on 1954.

The suction line outlet in the tank uses a straight fitting. The suction like inlet in the crankcase uses a 90° fitting. The oil suction line (flexible) must make a 90° bend to connect the two.

The 1954 SPC lists the cranckcase fitting for the suction line as a 90-degree fitting (63359-52) for "52-53 K and Early 54", and as a 45° (63359-54) for "Later 1954". No mention of what "early" and "later" mean.

The tank could have changed first. The suction line would then be an ungraceful "S" shape with two 45° bends, not much of an improvement over the original 90° bend. Note that the opposite (old tank, new 45° fitting) could not have happened - that would give the line an "S" with a 90° and a 45° - even worse!

What probably did happen is that both tank and cranckase fitting changed at the same time. The 1954 SPC was issued in June 54 - unusually late in the year, and by that late date, the old tank had been superceded.

62507-52

[Later 1954] 1954-1955 KH

The -52A tank had only one change - the suction outlet (Feature #3) is now at the 8 o'clock position.

This tank probably appeared in mid-1954 (see discussion above).

62507-56

1956 KH

Change #1 — the return line outlet (Feature #2) has been moved from the previous 10:30 o'clock position (sitting on the bike looking down at the oil filler cap) to the 9:00 o'clock position.

This means the return line (63507-52, used on 1952-1955) had to change to the 63507-56 version (used on 1956) so the line would align with the outlet.

Change #2 — the step area of the tank (Feature #5) has been changed with an angle at the rear of the tank. In addition, a horizontal reinforcement has been added under the step.

The reason for this change is that the 1956 frame has a higher fork neck, making the rest of the frame lower to the ground. In addition, the hole in the frame for the swingarm pivot bolt has been moved slightly upwards.

The net result is that the chainguard and oil tank will interfere with each other. reason for this change is that the 1956 frame has a higher fork neck, making the rest of the frame lower to the ground. In addition, the hole in he frame for the swingarm pivot bolt has been moved slightly upwards.

62507-56A

1957-Early 1962 XL, XLH

If you've been staring at the photo until your eyes hurt, and still haven't seen the difference, don't feel bad - you can't see it from this direction!

Take a look at the comparison photos below. There is a minor difference in the suction (feed) line outlet.

This proves there is no K-model nit too small for us to pick!

The -52, -52A, and -56 tanks have the suction (feed) line parallel to the plane of the rear of the tank.

The -56A and later tanks have the suction (feed) line angled slightly upward (inward when the tank is mounted on the bike).

6250x-xx

1953 - 1969 Competition Models

The 6250x-xx horseshoe tank, in various configurations, was used on the various competition K models - KR, KRM, KRTT, KHR, KHRM, and KHRTT. Later, they were used on the XLR and XLRTT competition models.

These competition models are out of our scope. COMING SOON - click the picture at left to see a gallery of photographs.

62503-52

1958 - 1961 XLCH

The salient features of this tank are (1) four outlets on the face of the tank; (2) spacing between vent and return of about 1/4" or the width of a #2 pencil, (3) Vent vertically above Feed, Return nearly vertically above Oiler.

These tanks were used from 1958 through 1961. It is suspected that some very late production 1961 bikes had the -52A transition tank shown below.

62507-52A

Early 1962 XLCH ???

This MAY be the elusive 62503-52A. It was found on the relatively unmolested 62 XLCH 2373 (production #373). It's been reported that 62 XLCH 2404 also has this tank.

It is believed that the -52A was a short-lived transition tank which appeared from very late 1961 to early 1962. Although the details are unknown, it is suspected that only a few hundreds of these tanks were produced.

This tank is very similar to -52, but the salient feature is the Feed outlet. The Feed outlet does NOT have the circular stamping around it - a potential weak point. The outlet is hexagonal instead of round, and is located closer to the bottom of the tank.

Apparently the idea was to lower the feed to make more oil available to the engine before the tank ran dry. This design might have done that, but the sump which would appear on the later -52B provided a much more elegant solution.

62507-52B

Late 1962? to 1965 XLCH

The salient feature of this tank is the sump at the bottom of the tank. The feed line connects to the sump. The fitting in the sump has a allen-head plug for draining the oil from the tank. There are only three fittings on the face of the tank.

The distance between the Vent and Return is about 1/4-inch, similar to the suspected -52A tank.

This tank was probably introduced in Late-1962, as the 1963 Parts Catalog shows that crankcase feed fitting changed from a 45° to a 90° to accomodate the now horizontal feed line.

It is hard to see in this photo, but the Oiler does have a circular stamping around it.

Photo credit: Chris Haynes

1966 to 1969 – 62508-66

Oil Lines

1970 to early-1973 – 62508-70

Differences -70 and -73

Late-1973 to 1976+ – 62508-73

Both -70 and -73