Technical - Safety Guards
Stan Diener, Dave Hennessey
Click the photos to see larger photos
There are three (or four) different front Safety Guards, which were used from 1952 through 1969, and at least through 1978. They are:
1952 – 1955
49042-52
Almost all 1952 to 1955 K and KH came equipped with the chrome 49042-52 front Safety Guard. The exception was the 1953 Standard Solo option - see below.
1953-only
49042-53
49042-53 Front Safety Guard, black
The
1953-only Standard Solo group had many black or cadmium-plated items, instead of Chrome, to reduce the motorcycles' selling price.
All other safety guards were Chrome.
1956 Only
49042-56
In 1956, Harley lowered the KH frame, so adjustments to the height of the Safety Guard were necessary.
Harley Engineering made the bars about two inches taller, then flipped the top bracket.
1957 – 1969+
49042-56A
From 1957 to 1963, the front Safety Guard was standard equipment on new XL or XLH motorcycles.
From 1964 to 1969 (and far beyond) it was "additional" or "optional" equipment on new XLH bikes, also available from your local dealer as Spare Parts.
The bottoms now attach to the middle hole in the 16210-52A / 16213-52A front mounting plates which appeared in 1956.
The 1956 and later bars are HUGE
