Can someone tell me if the front axle on a 1968--1972 Hydraglide drum brake model is the same part as the axle on earlier Hydraglide front ends, i e 1949-1967?

The reason I ask is that I recently acquired a '48 panhead with alater model Hydraglide front end on it and there is a slight issue with the spacing of the wheel hub on the axle. The hub, brake sheath and brake is all 1968--1972 and, given the array of different parts on this bike, I'm wondering if it has the wrong axle on it.

 

the early axle 43875-48 fits 1949 to 1966 < star hub

the other axle 43875-67 1967 to 1972 i think that is correct

 

Thanks, John. You are right. I've since found out that they are different.

 

Another axle question. Can anyone post the dimensions of either a panhead wide glide axle or an early shovelhead ( 1967--1972) wide glide axle? I'm specifically interested in the distances between the steps on the axle, as well as the overall length.

The reason I ask is that I've been fooling around with a 1967--1972 wide glide front end which was, for some reason, installed on a '48 panhead which i recently purchased. I'm suspecting that it has a panhead axle on the front end because I can't get the wheel to seat properly once everything is bolted up. When tightened up, the wheel has a about an 1/8" of play on the axle ( i.e. slides back and forth about that distance to the axle step). At first, I thought that there was something amiss in the hub ( there was) and I just rebuilt it using the proper bearings and sleeve. Unfortunately, when I put it all back together, the same slop exists. The only thing I can think that might be wrong at this point is the axle ???

 

with the proper spacers, the axle is the spacer on the "clamp" side, and the spacer on the other side is Set.
The axle should be drawn up tight before the clamp is clamped.
The Axle extends however far it extends, beyond the leg [clamp].
Which "step" is holding up the tightening process?

 

Racepres--that is how I tighten it up--i.e. clamp it down after the axle nut is tight. What corrects the problem is my installing an 1/8"spacer/washer between the bearing in the brake drum and end of the axle sleeve in the brake backing plate. It operates fine that way--but I shouldn't have to add that spacer. It seems as though the wheel hub axle sleeve should be a tad longer to push the bearing against the backing plate sleeve where it belongs. But, as I mentioned , I bought this rebuild kit and used the sleeve that came with it. Anyway, that's why I'm questioning if the proper year axle is installed (Note: I found that the wrong year axle was cobbed into the rear wheel as well. )

 

i cant help with a visual i only have an original 1950 - and a 1966 in the shop right now

 

Doc; You should have a Mid-Star wheel on that year I believe. Double check that it has Not been replaced with another year model Wheel!
Here is a Picture is Helpful!!!

 

The stock hub cap acts as a spacer and may explain your problem. You would not be able to put a 48 axle through a 67-72 hub. and have it mount anywhere near the correct position.

 

I finally got this squared away. I made up a new hub axle sleeve which is 1/8" longer than the one in the rebuild kit. It took up the slack perfectly. I'm chalking up the problem to likely poor machining in the aftermarket parts on this front end--drum, backing plate, wheel, etc. Anyway, the issue is fixed and the wheel spins freely.

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions--much appreciated.