'36-57 Oil Tank

[VintageTwin]

A perfected part worthy of the name Replica. And, in keeping with the time-worn tradition of "no scrap"... the tank includes a chrome dip-stick. The support strut at the back of the tank also, (but never advertised as such), provides a convenient ledge for the battery to be lifted, and made to sit level for electrolyte top-off.

[harley49flchopper]

That looks virtually perfect. I got one of these (an OEM part) sitting on the shelf in my garage. I'm gonna have to pull it down and do a close comparison with the picture. Even the shape of the dipstick cap seems right to my recollection.

[VintageTwin]

Yeah...they're good. We had one once with a reversed threaded drain plug, because the Chinaman flipped the drain bung upside down at the factory...but these days, with this one product at least...they got it right.

[Kozy]

I have one that fits in every way but clearance from the front of the tank to the seat post on a '47 OEM frame. There's not enough room between tank and post to slide in the ignition coil mounting u-bolts. I'll either have to grind down u-bolts or dent (indent?) tanks.

[VintageTwin]

I'd try and flatten the u-bolts. Let us know how it went. shoot a pix of the problem and register.

[panster]

Hi, as we're talking about oil tanks.. does anyone know the correct
dimensions for the two spacers that go under the front oil tank mount ?
Might as well do it right,
Thanks,
J.

[VintageTwin]

I'll look.
Two at the front of a '36-57 and four all around on '58-64.

[VintageTwin]

Sorry, the spacers are buried in a bag of fasteners. I may come across them this weekend.

[panster]

Cool, No hurry,
not sure what you mean about the 2 spacers and 4 spacers !
The ones I need to determine go under the front of the o/tank base plate at the front where it mounts to the seat post. ('54 bowleg)
I have always just guessed the spacer height, just wondered what stock is.
Ride safe,
Jamie.

[VintageTwin]

Your right jamie. Two (62581-36) spacers go under the oil tank mounting plate at the seat post mount on '36-57. On '58-64, four spacers. One spacer under each side at the front of the plate at the seat post bracket, and one spacer under each mount hole at the back of the plate. Crucial for the '58-64 application, since the rachet top's backward adjustment travel is reduced without having a spacer under each mount bolt at the rear of the plate. Without the spacers at the rear of the plate, the plate would be on a steeper incilne at the rear and the rachet top would make contact with the bottom of the plate too early, as the trans. was moved backwards to periodically tighten the primary chain.

[panster]

Thanks,
always nice to learn something.
I don't know much about these new fangled swing arm bikes.
J.

[VintageTwin]

Me either. '59 was the last year motorcycles for me. I heard that they had come out with an electric starter in later years. Supposidly, there was a button on the handlebar. All you had to do is push it. Frightening aspect to contemplate.

[panster]

Obviously some kind of witchcraft.

[VintageTwin]

no, i;m wrong. everybody liking something different is what makes it all go around. we're at a crucial stage with re-pop transmissions. hope stett can make them go. i'll look for that spacer tomorrow afternoon.

[VintageTwin]

(52581-36) Oil tank plate spacer (2) used '37-57
O.D. - 0.6255" (cad. plated)
Height - 0.445"
Bore - 0.316"
The (63521-60) Oil tank bracket lockwashers (Colony®) are for the two rear bolts '60-64.