Oil Tank, Primary Inner Tin & Chain Guard alignment 53 Pan

[gilb]

I have a problem trying to align the Oil Tank, Inner tin and chain guard on my 53 Pan. The Chain guard and inner primary tin align fine, but not the oil tank. I have tried to see if there is any way I can shift the oil tank, but cannot figure out a way. Maybe I can make some kind of bracket, just wondering if anyone had any ideas. Thanks....gilb

DSCN4465m.jpg

[Bigincher]

Looks like a repop inner primary cover (V-Twin...??), and mislocation of that tab is very common with repops.
If you ignore the inner primary tab, the chain guard will probably align with the oil tank tab.
You'll have to relocate the tab on the inner primary. Remove the rivets, relocate, re-drill, re-rivet. Or use small machine screws.
All part of making things fit when using Chinese parts.

[gilb]

It may be a china made inner tin, but the chain guard will not line up to the oil tank. Maybe it is a china part too or even the oil tank. I cannot lift the chain guard high enough to line it up with the oil tank, it hits the fender. The guard and tin though, line up perfect.

Thanks for your response.

[Bigincher]

Hmmm.... maybe the tab on the oil tank was replaced. That's pretty common, too.

Does the inner primary bolt up okay to the frame at the bottom rear?

Sorry I can't be of more help....

[gilb]

Yes the lower bolt lines up fine on the inner tin and the oil tank does not appear to have any altered bracket.

Thanks again.

[Bigincher]

Maybe post a photo from farther away showing more of the motorcylce.

I'm still with the tab on the inner primary.
See that 'angle' on the chain guard by the oil tank tab? It should be parallel to the oil tank tab, about 1/4" away.

Is the rear fender a genuine Harley fender?
Have you had this motorcycle together before?

Sorry to ask questions, just trying to understand...

[gilb]

I do not know if it is an original fender and yes the bike was together however, I had to straighten the tab on the inner tin. The chain guard was never connected to anything, nor did it align with anything until I straighten the bracket on the inner tin. I have a bracket made, that I think will make it work and will post a picture of it tomorrow....Thanks.

[58flh]

It looks like the inner primary is out-(had this bsfore on a repop china or whatever)--If the 3 bolts are on up front, that thing is way off!--The shafts should be centered in the holes both-(tranny & motor)--I had to get creative & move a little here ,& some there until its lined up perfectly!--If not the outer primary wont even go on without hitting the clutch-hub!---That tab on the tank appears to be in the correct spot !--More pics. as was said would be of help.--Richie

[Bigincher]

Here's a view of this area taken from a factory photo of a '52. (courtesy Chris Haynes)
Look closely at the fitment between the chain guard and the oil tank tab. Something's funny going on in your photo-- I suspect it's a combination of things....

Also look at the inner primary and compare the distance between the oil tank tab and the outer cover screw tab just under the clutch arm. Yours is farther away.
And something about the chain guard is wrong.... too short, or incorrectly mounted in the rear, or the mounting stud mislocated.

The transmission will not always be centered in the inner primary, due to adjustment of the primary chain, or the installation of a belt drive.

oiltankchainguardprimar.jpg

[Bigincher]

Your rear fender is also aftermarket--- the original has a 'reinforcing rib' in the thinner portion, the area is visible in both photos. Yours is lacking that rib.
Because it's aftermarket, it's possible the chain guard mount tab is also mislocated.

These are all common issues when dealing with aftermarket parts.

Here's another cut from the '52 factory photo, showing what it should look like:

chainguardrearmount.jpg

[UPSROD]

It looks to be a repro oil tank. The tab has an oblong hole instead of the original round hole, also an original tab is flat on the bottom.

[gilb]

Thanks for all the info, looks like a lot of repro parts, no wonder the problem. I have attached a pic showing the bracket I made installed. Still may try to do something else, but may work for now.

DSCN4472m.jpg

[Bigincher]

Looks like that will get you down the road...!

Bear in mind, that connection--- oil tank tab/ inner primary/ chain guard--- was never meant to be bolted tight. The HD connection is a 'spring-loaded' bolt--- a bolt goes through all three tabs, then a spring, washer, nut with cotter pin on the outside.

Same 'spring-loaded' bolt at the bottom of the inner primary.

When people make those connections rock-solid by running a nut and lock washer, and cinching it up tight--- then things start to crack and break. You'll see a lot of inner primaries all cracked and broke to hell, and that tab broken. A LOT of old oil tanks have that mount tab broken off, too.

Just something for you to think about.....

[gilb]

Thanks for that info. I had just seen those spring loaded bolts in the Clymer Panhead book, after I made my post. I seen the kits on Ebay with those and the bolts and retainers for attaching to the engine. I will order that and make the change.

[Bigincher]

Yep.
You can see that bolt/nut/cotter pin in that first factory photo I posted.
If you're crafty, you can make your own.