54 to 57 Frame?

[MS-Geek]

Hi all,

I was told when I got this bike last week that the frame was a 1957, it still has the sidecar mounts and tabs and such so I was told that it was rare to find one and may be worth something. I don't plan to sell it anytime soon but am curious because the Clymer book shows an extra tube from the top to the legs under the tanks. The fatbob tabs have been cut off but I am replacing them soon.

Can anyone identify the frame from these pictures? Otherwise if other pictures are needed I can take more.

thanks

[Bigincher]

There would be a date code stamped on the top motor mount tab, but I see your frame is the victim of so many countless others that have been chopperized; from what I can see of the remains of the top motor mount, you would have to remove bondo to see if the date code stamp is still there. The tool box bracket is correct for '57, and it's nice to see the rear stand tabs are intact on the axle plates, and very nice to see the sidecar loops intact. Sadly, the steering head has been quite drastically 'modified', and there has been a few inches of 'stretch' added to the front downtubes. And Yes, the intermediate top tube has been chopped out. Speedometer/dash base is long gone, and the area fore of the seat post tube has been filled in-- but luckily it looks like the top of the tube hasn't been ground off like so many of them were.
All that stuff is normal 1970s chopperization stuff. If you're looking to restore the frame to original, it can be done, but replacing the steering head is a major deal; the casting alone costs around $450, and the labor will run more than that. A total restoration-- back to original condition-- would probably run at least a couple grand.
"Rare"...? Not really..... If it wasn't so hacked up, it might be rare.

[MS-Geek]

Thanks Bigincher, I'm amazed at the knowledge you guys here have, I really appreciate your sharing of it.

[Robert Luland]

You don't show the left side of the bike. If the coil mounting blocks are there. 54/55 will be taped for 5/16" stud. 56/57 will be tapped for 3/8" stud. Bob L

[RUBONE]

How is your rear caliper mount anchored? It looks like the anchor tab is just sitting out in space!
Robbie

[Bosheff]

Looks like the bolt securing the bitch bar may be goin through caliper mounting bracket....bosheff

[hplhd]

How is your rear caliper mount anchored? It looks like the anchor tab is just sitting out in space!
Robbie

looks like a bar going to the tool box mount robbie

[RUBONE]

looks like a bar going to the tool box mount robbie

Yup, it does. Since it wasn't much bigger than a spoke I missed it. Fine set-up, I wouldn't want to be near it in a panic stop!
Robbie

[hplhd]

the caliper is allowed to make 1 rotation during a panic stop. early abs.

[RUBONE]

I thought Harley-Davidson always had ABS, the "Almost Braking System"!
Robbie

[MS-Geek]

Yeah, going from a 96 fattoy to this is a little strange, I was thinking of putting a dual caliper with one going to the right handlebar if I keep the suicide shift, but I decided to put hand clutch on it for now and ride it for the summer, than think about changing a lot. I'll re-mortgage the house to afford the parts .

[MS-Geek]

Hey one more question, I was thinking of either scrapping or moving the oil filter, any opinions on running without one? I see a lot of finished bikes without them.

[Panshovevo]

Hey one more question, I was thinking of either scrapping or moving the oil filter, any opinions on running without one? I see a lot of finished bikes without them.

Don't.

[Bigincher]

You could move it to the stock location if there is no interference.