Horrible KH in the AMCA Magazine

[hennesse]

When you get your November-December issue of the Antique Motorcycle, check out the "1955 KH" featured on pages 27 and 28. I think you'll agree that this is a pretty horrible example of a K-model. This BITSA has been assembled from parts of many different year K-model and Sportsters, and is missing several important characteristic parts of 1955 KH.

Here's what I can see from the one photograph:

Incorrect paint (Non-stock tank panel)
Incorrect gas tank (1952-1953)
Incorrect tank emblems (1952-1953)
Incorrect front fender (1959 or later)
Missing Fork panel
Missing fork panel side covers
Missing electric terminal plate
Incorrect horn in incorrect location (custom parts)
Missing horn power pack and trumpet
Unknown item on left front downtube
Incorrect finish on headlight mount
Incorrect seat cover
Incorrect exhaust pipes, clamps, brackets
Missing muffler
Unknown things on right of top motor mount (custom ignition switch? custom choke?)
Incorrect rear shock absorbers (1966-later)
Incorrect rear fender struts
Incorrect rear fender (1956-later)
Incorrect taillight (1956-later)
Incorrect license plate bracket (1956-later)
Incorrect finish on chainguard
Incorrect muffler support tube (custom, incorrect finish)
Incorrect finish on footpeg mounts
Unknown item at rear of swingarm (custom light?)
Unknown item at bottom of rear shock (custom passenger footpeg?)
Incorrect starter pedal
Incorrect gas tank crossover tube
Incorrect spark plug boots
Incorrect electrical wiring
Incorrect handlebars (button on right side)
Missing front fender emblem

Here are some things that I'm unable to tell from the one photograph:

The custom ignition key switch on the right side makes one suspect: missing ignition and light switches
The instrument panel cover appears to be missing
The top triple tree does not appear to have the tabs for mounting the switches (wrong triple tree?)
There appears to be a speedometer near the stock location, but it is suspicious
There appear to be custom upper fork boot retainers

Can you eagle-eyes spot some things that I missed?

[55panman]

Geezzz! Maybe this originally was a chopper with a king and queen and 6" slugs in the forks. Not everyone is into spending all their time trying to round up all the correct parts when none came with the original bike. I'd say from the BIG smile on the guys face he enjoys riding the crap out of that bike!

[thefrenchowl]

To each his own as they say... ; - )

But if you don't follow the OEM road, you might as well go the whole hog!!!

My road bike 10 years ago...









Patrick

[Chopperdave]

Where is this bike now? It has been a long time since i really worked on any K's and that intake and the dual DC carbs is beautiful, i remember seeing that setup at davenport about 10 years ago..

whats the story with it? i i remember right it was a set of factory K race parts, is that right?

d

[thefrenchowl]

It's just my own 1954 KHK some 10 years ago... All hand crafted in my small garage... Road legal in GB without lights, "day use only"

Now supercharged twin sparks twin magnetos on methanol and a Bonneville Salt Flats racer:

http://www.harleykmodel.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=139

Patrick

[55panman]

Question for the French Owl-- Patrick in the Utube video it sound like you make 4 upshifts equaling a 5 speed gearbox. What are you running for a 5 speed gearbox in a KH? Bike sounded really good. I've written to you before. I've run a 1955 Panhead at Bonneville 2014 hit 141mph then slowed to 139 when I started running the float bowl out of fuel. Set a record of 136+. Sucked last year when everything was cancelled due to back Salt. Sorted out fuel delivery problem and had hoped to run over 150mph.Haven't heard any optimistic reports yet for good salt this year, but of course it's too early to tell. When do you plan to return to the salt? Regards, Ron

[thefrenchowl]

Hi Ron,

No, just a 4 speeder, I think I had a small spit of a backfire, sounds like a gear change???

Bike runs OK, we had a 121.775 best run in 2013, came again in 2014 to no avail, ended up touring Utah for a week with DR DICK, his brother MODEL H and dirtycory from the XLForum... No plans for this year, let's the salt settle, but I want to do another Speed Week before I end up 6 feet below...

A club is planning a sort of Speed Week in the UK this year, 2 days at Elvington in Yorkshire where we can do the flying km, not long enough strip for a flying mile, then down in Pendine on the sand for the rest of the week... Might do it if the price is not too high...

I will be looking for you next time we hit Bonneville!

Best of luck

Patrick

[55panman]

Patrick, Yeah you went to the SCTA meet which was cancelled in 2014. I ran the BUB meet. They moved the courses and the track wasn't as good plus the long course was shorter, but they got the meet in even when it look like Lake Bonneville when we arrived there on Saturday. I wish I was closer to one of the miles. I might run the July Meltdown Vintage drag races this year with my Pan.

[Magneto Sportster]

When you get your November-December issue of the Antique Motorcycle, check out the "1955 KH" featured on pages 27 and 28. I think you'll agree that this is a pretty horrible example of a K-model. This BITSA has been assembled from parts of many different year K-model and Sportsters, and is missing several important characteristic parts of 1955 KH.

Here's what I can see from the one photograph:

Incorrect paint (Non-stock tank panel)
Incorrect gas tank (1952-1953)
Incorrect tank emblems (1952-1953)
Incorrect front fender (1959 or later)
Missing Fork panel
Missing fork panel side covers
Missing electric terminal plate
Incorrect horn in incorrect location (custom parts)
Missing horn power pack and trumpet
Unknown item on left front downtube
Incorrect finish on headlight mount
Incorrect seat cover
Incorrect exhaust pipes, clamps, brackets
Missing muffler
Unknown things on right of top motor mount (custom ignition switch? custom choke?)
Incorrect rear shock absorbers (1966-later)
Incorrect rear fender struts
Incorrect rear fender (1956-later)
Incorrect taillight (1956-later)
Incorrect license plate bracket (1956-later)
Incorrect finish on chainguard
Incorrect muffler support tube (custom, incorrect finish)
Incorrect finish on footpeg mounts
Unknown item at rear of swingarm (custom light?)
Unknown item at bottom of rear shock (custom passenger footpeg?)
Incorrect starter pedal
Incorrect gas tank crossover tube
Incorrect spark plug boots
Incorrect electrical wiring
Incorrect handlebars (button on right side)
Missing front fender emblem

Here are some things that I'm unable to tell from the one photograph:

The custom ignition key switch on the right side makes one suspect: missing ignition and light switches
The instrument panel cover appears to be missing
The top triple tree does not appear to have the tabs for mounting the switches (wrong triple tree?)
There appears to be a speedometer near the stock location, but it is suspicious
There appear to be custom upper fork boot retainers

Can you eagle-eyes spot some things that I missed?

I hope the owner isn't a forum member. You never know, which is why I prefer to keep my comments positive about other people's bikes. Just my 2 cents...

[EKHKHK56]

No body here is knocking anyone's motorcycles except as an educational tool for those interested in making their Model K correct or more correct than when purchased. Examples are the best training tools. That is the reason for this site. To aid in identifying what is what and where and when! That is why I compiled the History 25 years ago. To assist owners to do that or just maintain what they have. I love all Ks. Erik K