1954 KH Cowbells or Boots?

[EKHKHK56]

I was talking with a 54 owner about this subject. He was informed that early 54s had Cowbells and the Boots came later. Possibly at the magic #2250 point in production. Of course the 52-56 book lists Boots only for 54. However we know that with so many changes the book often didn't keep up. I was wondering if any of you folks had some ideas on this subject. Have a great day, Erik K

[hennesse]

Erik,

All the evidence points to boots.

The 1954 Rider Handbook show boots. The factory photo (see the Literature section) shows boots. The March 1954 Cycle magazine Road Test (see the Literature section) shows boots. The October 1953 (the 1954 model year started in September 1953) Motorcyclist magazine article (see the Literature section) shows boots. The 1954 Spare Parts Catalog (see the Literature section) shows changes in the fork at s/n 1800 and 2250, but shows cowbells for 1952-1953 and boots for all 1954 - and it shows the cowbells and parts as still available. Cowbells still available in 1956 Spare Parts Catalog.

The Harley Museum 1954 KH bike (over in the Technical:Finishes section) - has boots...

My opinion (worth every penny you paid for it): All available documentation shows that all 1954's came with boots. An original paint, unmolested, very low serial number (say in the first 100 or so) bike with cowbells should be given a question mark. A restored bike should have boots or it should receive a point deduction.

Dave

[EKHKHK56]

Uh oh Houston we have a Cowbell question! Dave your reply does makes sense. But K info often doesn't! Tom do you have any more background info you can share on this? I will ask for more info also about his friend's knowledge. I agree I've never seen 54s with cowbells but that means naught.

[hennesse]

The 1954 Rider Handbook shows boots.

Here 'tis. The book "1950-1957 Operations / Maintenance / Parts Listing / Specifications", part number 99414-93 includes copies of the 1952 K, 1954 KH, and 1957 XL Rider('s) Handbooks. Available from your local Harley dealer.

1954 KH Rider Handbook

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All of the books in the "Antique Literature series" (click here for more info) are still available from your local Harley dealer. They may not have them in stock, but can order them and get them in about a week. If you don't have one, you REALLY need to get a copy of "The Legend Begins", part# 99403-93.

To add to the list of the factory documentation, the illustration of the 1954 KH in The Legend Begins shows boots...

The Legend Begins

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[sportsterpaul]

I know it is not a dependency, but could the boots have come when they changed the triple clamp to the "parallel" style stem? I can sure see they could do the boots as a running change, since it was not dependent on very much other stuff. That means that they wanted the boots on the 54 model year, but they had a box of cowbells laying around, and some ended up on 54 models. I have to believe the boots were a cost reduction, as well as a way to better keep dirt off the fork tubes.

[thefrenchowl]

Hi,

This is Polhmann photo ref HD-19993, KRM with boots, alas not the definitive ones as we know them, filed November 24th 1952:



This is Polhmann photo ref HD-20116, filed July the 6th 1953, 54 KH airbrushed for catalogues, so there is an earlier proper photo, between 20093 and 20103, shots listed as "K Model with models", filed June the 15th 1953 (there are no other K shots between the KRM and the 54 KH shots listed) It shows boots AND old K geometry, so well before motor 2250:



To me, it's a no brainer, KH always had boots, never mind left over cowbells, they went in the stores as spares...

The question could be turned around and one could ask if late 53 K had indeed boots ; - )

Patrick