When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Some one in his idea using a tape ruler to measure the new bushing on the out side when ever in its life — we make then .001 i go to the bushing before the cover to size but not always when welding is happening - that early alloy moves around and pukes oil when getting it good and hot as needed
using the right side case is the only way to get real close
This is the front fender that was on the bike when the PO bought it in 1964, I see no reason to not consider it original to the bike. Its rough but fixable, but Im not fixing it because I have a clean oem one plus a nice factory narrow brace for it.
Im sacrificing a repop fender to get the pieces I need to repair the original fender. I have a nice oem rear hinged section to replace the original that had seen better days.
I used a repop rear fender as a donor, it just made sense. I needed part of the side valance as well. I'll test fit the fender this weekend before prep takes place incase it doesn't fit anymore!
The rest of the sheet metal for the bike itself is ready for prep including the sidecar fender. The side car tub needs to be stripped and painted but its very clean so I dont expect any rust.
The lowest mount screw will need a spacer. My 48 was the same. I can dent the fender at the cross-brace to move it forward to close the lower gap but the fender brace lines up perfectly without stressing it into place. I'd sooner run a spacer at the bottom than mess up the brace alignment. The removable chain shield on the fender is late 46 up so I'll replace that with the correct one.
I picked up another cam cover (lower cover), it just made sense. My original one had been repaired where a fitting screws into the back edge plus the cracks inside.
Now that riding season is almost over Im going to get into some engine work on this and the 46.
The replacement cam cover I got saved me a lot of grief. No cracks to deal with, the 5 bushings are perfect and the cover fits great. I put the reamer through the crack bearing and it took a few twists to bottom out in the cover with not much effort. The reamer took out some high spots in the cover bushing but thats it.
The PO got his moneys worth on the cam bushings.
Original stake pins were solid, these replacements are roll pins. I dont like change but I used them and they fit really tight so they're not going anywhere. I drilled the new holes 180 degrees away from the originals so I knew I wouldn't half drill into an existing one.
I'll admit I'm afraid to press the main bearings out. The roller surface is great, I'll check the alignment since I have the tool but I don't see any reason to risk buggering up the case just for the sake of changing them. Not to mention these old bearings are probably better than todays stuff.
Next challenge is reaming the new bushings in alignment with the cover bushings. Im thinking a mill is the best fixture since the factory tool (which I've never seen) somehow fits inside the cam chest, not quite sure how it does the aligning / reaming.
The other option would be a shell reamer with a locating dowel that fits in the cam cover and guides the shell through the new bushings, something I dont have.
Last edited by hellonewman; Nov 5, 2023 at 01:22 PM.
OEM tins, tanks and rear fender are original to the bike including the narrow brace. Front fender was a nice original part but a repop narrow brace that fit perfectly. Next I'll mock the bike up with the tins on before committing to paint. Red is the plan.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
