Front axel

[flatland]

What the hell do I have here ? I have looked at the 58-59 service manual and this doesn't come close, kinda scary without a cotter key. This is the way the guy put it back together after installing new tires. My question is, is the thing assembled wrong, the large nut inboard of the castle nut has he installed it rather than a spacer or does any of this stuff even belong on a 59 FLH ?

[Lowbikemike]

Looks fine to me, with the exception of it needs a washer between the castle nut and large nut, and a cotter key.

The large nut is holding the axle sleeve in place.

[1951 adam]

some aftermarket axles have no provision for a cotter pin

[Panhead Ed]

Looks fine to me, with the exception of it needs a washer between the castle nut and large nut, and a cotter key.

The large nut is holding the axle sleeve in place.

yep

[58flh]

Looks good!--But as the guys said ,--a washer between the large & castlenut should be there!,& yes not all aftermarket shafts have the holes for the cotter-pin!---RICHIE

[Gotnoclass]

Anyone knows what was the original finish on the front wheel spacer (43882-48)? Cad, park or raw?

[flatland]

Thanks to all of you for your input and guidence. Common sense tells you that the thing requires a cotter key, but the large inboard nut wasn't shown in the service manual and thought maybe the hole was there just couldn't get to it. This old bike has been totally bastardized over the years and thought maybe it was even the wrong frontend.
Thanks again,
Kenny

[Goat]

If that axal is off of your 59 then It should have a hole for a cotter pin I have A 59 flh AND its bone stock and has the hole for a cotter pin. If you want I can measure the distance from the end or count the threads and tell you in the event you want to take that one and get it drilled.

[Goat]

Another thing I noticed, Mine has a hubcap on the right hand side where yours has a spacer,when I first got mine it was beat all to hell (the hubcap that is) so I ordered me one from Bills Custom cycles in Bloomsburg PA, the hubcap has a spacer built into it and it looks pretty good too it covers up where the grease starts running out of the star hub after ten of fifteen years of riding it. Ive been riding mine since March 14th 1973, Im on my third aftermarket speedometer and just got John Bordas to rebuild my original speedometer, Ive got the tanks off now for fresh paint and Im starting off with the newly rebuilt speedometer with 45,000 miles on it, that when it quit the first time so I got John to put it back at 45,000 after he rebuilt it. I want to roll it over to 100,000 riding it. Ive had it 40 years and Im 59 years old I hope I make it.

[Goat]

here is the old thing

my panhead.jpg

[VPH-D]

Every axle sleeve 43882-48 I've seen has had no finish at all.
VPH-D

[PanPal]

You don't look 59 in that picture GOAT

[blewcrab]

she don't look that old...either does the mc !