Fork brackets/headlamp housing
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2021
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From: Lowcountry, SC
Fork brackets/headlamp housing
I recently refreshed the fork oil in my 65 FLH. Other then the fact that I had no idea the last time it was done, a reason for me doing this was because when trying to mount the original headlamp housing on the fork brackets the holes on the housing were not lining up with the bolt holes on the fork brackets. I measured the holes on the headlamp housing and they are 6.5 inches apart. When I measured the holes on the fork brackets they are 6.7 inches apart.
I tried collapsing the front suspension but it had no affect on the distance between the mount holes on the fork brackets.
This was an issue prior to me changing the fork oil. All hardware in tightened, nothing loose. I even put a ratchet strap around the fork brackets to try to pull them closer together and there was no movement.
Any ideas on why this would be and how I could fix it to align the headlamp housing with the fork brackets without taking the forks apart? Or how to bring these brackets .2 inch closer together?
I tried collapsing the front suspension but it had no affect on the distance between the mount holes on the fork brackets.
This was an issue prior to me changing the fork oil. All hardware in tightened, nothing loose. I even put a ratchet strap around the fork brackets to try to pull them closer together and there was no movement.
Any ideas on why this would be and how I could fix it to align the headlamp housing with the fork brackets without taking the forks apart? Or how to bring these brackets .2 inch closer together?
Last edited by Rovens77; Oct 22, 2022 at 10:51 AM.
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From: la la land jerzey
Jack the bike in the front under the engine withte wheel in the air - support the machine so it stayes in place
loosen the the 2 bolts on the inside of the lower tree you also need to remove the two top nut Caps you used to fill the thing with
now massage the distance that changed when you were working on it
loosen the the 2 bolts on the inside of the lower tree you also need to remove the two top nut Caps you used to fill the thing with
now massage the distance that changed when you were working on it
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,495
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From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
The above pic is obviously pre-1960 when the aluminum housing was not used. I include it for reference only. From your post I think you are referring to the distance in "blue" and the fact that your aluminum housing will not align properly with the bolt holes on the upper and lower triple tress?
If so the first thing that comes to mind is that perhaps you have the wrong/mistmatched bearings and/or races?
1949-1959 Glide models used Timkin bearing #48300-49 (Timkin bearing cone 07100. It has 16 rollers. It uses a bearing race that is 3/8" high and has an o.d of1.969" (Timkin race 07196)
1960-1984 is Timkin bearing#48300-60 (Timkin bearing cone L44643. It has 19 rollers. it uses a bearing race which is 27/64" high and has an o.d. of 1.980" (Timkin race L44610.
As individual parts, the cups, races and bearings are not interchangeable.
If I misread your stated problem please ignore.
Last edited by panz4ever; Oct 22, 2022 at 05:36 PM.
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 37
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From: Lowcountry, SC
John nailed this one. I never realized that lower tree is basically clamped on there and tighten by those bolts. Makes sense to pull the top plugs too so I don't blow a seal when adjusting.
Great info too Panz thank you again.
Great info too Panz thank you again.
Last edited by Rovens77; Oct 22, 2022 at 05:56 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 37
Likes: 16
From: Lowcountry, SC
Jack the bike in the front under the engine withte wheel in the air - support the machine so it stayes in place
loosen the the 2 bolts on the inside of the lower tree you also need to remove the two top nut Caps you used to fill the thing with
now massage the distance that changed when you were working on it
loosen the the 2 bolts on the inside of the lower tree you also need to remove the two top nut Caps you used to fill the thing with
now massage the distance that changed when you were working on it
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