Harley K Model: Technical: Air Cleaner

Technical: Air Cleaner
Jerry Raino, “wz507”, “fiftysevenXL”, Jim Garrett, Steve Strohmeier,Dave Hennessey

Air Cleaner Cover

The round air cleaner cover grew to the 7-inch size in 1941, and was used on K/XL through 1965, big twins through 1966, and Servi-Cars through 1973. The “Ham Can” cover then came into vogue, starting with the 1966 Sportster, and then the 1967 Big Twin. Servi-Cars were spared the indignity of the ham can.

There are only three part numbers, although there are a number of variations. The J-slot cover is part number 29030-41. The Center-Hole cover is part number 29030-56. The Ham Can cover is part number 29030-66.

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1952 – 1954

J-Slot
Chrome-plated Steel
Riveted Instruction Tag
NO ®

1952 – 1954

ONCE A DAY UNDER VERY DUSTY CONDITIONS, OR AT INT-
ERVALS NOT EXCEEDING 1000 MILES OR ONE MONTH UNDER ANY
SERVICE CONDITIONS, REMOVE MESH PACK, WASH IN
GASOLINE, DIP IN OIL, DRAIN THEN REASSEMBLE

Early-1955

J-Slot
Stainless Steel
Riveted Instruction Tag
NO ®

ONCE A DAY UNDER VERY DUSTY CONDITIONS, OR AT INT-
ERVALS NOT EXCEEDING 1000 MILES OR ONE MONTH UNDER ANY
SERVICE CONDITIONS, REMOVE MESH PACK, WASH IN
GASOLINE, DIP IN OIL, DRAIN THEN REASSEMBLE

Late-1955

J-Slot
Stainless Steel
Stamped Instructions
Frame Around Instructions
NO ®

WASH MESH IN GASOLINE - DIP IN OIL -
DRAIN & REASSEMBLE - EVERY 1000 MILES
OR EACH MONTH UNDER AVERAGE CONDITIONS
DAILY UNDER VERY DUSTY CONDITIONS

From 1959 to 1962 we encounter some disagreement among the experts.

Dave Carleton (Sportster) and Bruce Palmer (Big Twin) disagree on the year of introduction of the “Service Air Cleaner” cover. This may simply have been a running change when stock was exhausted. It is also possible that excess “framed” covers were “used-up” on the lower production Sportster to allow a cleaner [pun intended] switchover for the Big Twins.

The change in the size of the letters on the “unframed” remains a mystery. Carleton and Palmer are silent on this. This is an area for further research.

Carleton: 1956 – 1960

Palmer: 1956 – 1959

Center Hole
Stainless Steel
Stamped Instructions
Frame Around Instructions
HAS ® left of Bar and Shield

CHANGE CARTRIDGE EVERY 5000 MILES
MORE OFTEN IN BAD DUSTY CONDITIONS.
DO NOT CLEAN IN SOLVENTS SUCH AS
GASOLINE, ETC.

Carleton: 1961 - 1965

Palmer: 1960 – 1965

Neither distinguishes letter size

Center Hole
Stainless Steel
Stamped Instructions
Large Letters (early?)
Small Letters (later?)
NO Frame Around Instructions
HAS ® left of Bar and Shield

SERVICE AIR CLEANER AT
LEAST EVERY 1000 MILES
ACCORDING TO INSTRUCTIONS
IN RIDER HANDBOOK.

1966 – 1969

Ham Can

The ® appears on all 1956–1965 covers,
at the Bottom Left of the Bar-and-Shield

2402C Air Cleaner Cover Screw

The 1956 New Model Announcement issue of the Enthusiast (Sept 1955), and the 1956 Parts Catalog show a slotted 2402C oval-head screw. 1957 and later show a Phillips head.

A number of larger screws changed from slotted head to Phillips during the 1950s, but Harley was inconsistent. They may have purchased whatever was generally available.

Later Production and Aftermarket

Harley continued to make the 29030-41 J-slot cover, with stamped instructions, after 1955 for spare parts.
These HAVE the ® stamped at the bottom left of the Bar-and-Shield logo.
Original late-1955 cover do NOT have the ®.

1966 Big Twins and 1966–1973 Servi-Cars
used the 1960–1965 style cover,
except that the logo (and the ®) have been removed.
The face of these covers is plain.
Cover part number is 29030-56

The part number shown in the photo, 29002-58,
is for the complete 1958 to 1965 Sportster air cleaner.

Eagle Iron repro - these have the instructions on a sticker, and the ® has moved from the bottom left of the logo to the bottom right.

Aftermarket - varies. Originals have a steep-sided ramp that will hold the filter in place as you install it on the motorcycle. Aftermarkets usually have a weak ramp that will NOT hold the filter in place.