1955 upper frame pictures

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john HD
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1955 upper frame pictures

#1

Post by john HD »

Anyone have any clear pictures of the upper sections of a 55-57 big twin frame?

of particular interest to me is the throttle control cable mounting tab. mine is missing, i need size up a replacement and where to weld it on.

also of interest i was wondering how many shims you may have under your top motor mount? it looks like i will need some to make the choke lever clear the manifold. the blueprint on this site shows some. my parts book is unclear about shims. Mr. palmer mentions them in his book.

getting closer to putting the linkert back on the old girl!

thanks in advance!

john
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#2

Post by wantapanrealbad »

Hi John,

I have to weld a tab on myself, they shoud be easy to make but I just ordered one throuh J&P ($14.99) because I dont have access to my tools right now. I have been studying the pics and it looks like the tab is midway on the tube that connects the hedstock and the backbone. HTH.


Joe
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#3

Post by john HD »

hey joe

there is a nice shot in the palmer book although it is a bit small.

i think i can get the location front to back pretty good because i can feel some grind marks on the bottom of the tube. i should be able to get it close. being under the tanks it is not a crucial item.

if you get yours soon please measure it and post the results!

john
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#4

Post by Robert Luland »

John, I've got a stripped 55 in the shop. I will measure size and distance tomorrow and post. Bob
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#5

Post by Robert Luland »

John are you sure about this. I just went out to the shop floor and my 55 does not have that tap. My 58 SA does though. If memory servis me correcly. They used a snap on clip to retain the trottle controle coil to the bottom brace bar. Bob
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#6

Post by john HD »

bob,

i'll double check palmer's book i believe it does use the tab and a clip on the frame.

john
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#7

Post by john HD »

here are two scans, seems they introduced the tab in 1955.

john

Image
Image
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#8

Post by Robert Luland »

John ya got me thinking. I went back out to the shop. That 55 was one of the only frames I bought powder coated. I slowly ran my hand under the tube and what did I find but the bump that use to be that tap. Butchering bastards didn't even take the time to grind it properly. John find below what you seek. Bob

Image
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#9

Post by john HD »

wow!

thanks bob!

that is exactly what i need!

john
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#10

Post by wantapanrealbad »

Robert, I need that info also. Thank You!

Joe
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#11

Post by john HD »

here is the tab made to bob's specs. and clamped in place and ready to weld.

john
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#12

Post by john HD »

just remembered i had some shots of an unrestored '55 from davenport '06.

looks like i need some shims after all and the screws on the intake clamps go down.

anyone have some shots of the wiring harness along the backbone?

john
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#13

Post by Robert Luland »

John use shimms were ever you think you need them. My 48 has a repair in that area because some jackass didn't. Apply common sence. Bob
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#14

Post by FlatHeadSix »

John

Robert is right, you only need shims if, and where, you need them. The lower mounts should be shimmed first. When you get the bottom shimmed then, and only then, should you check the upper mounts and see what you will need there.

Did you ever find out what happened to those dumpster queens from Kuwait or Saudi Arabia? I didn't see them in Davenport, the last time I saw them Wisconsin H-D had them in the showroom at their old store in Oconomowoc.

mike
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#15

Post by john HD »

mike

yes i figured out where they went. a guy west of me has them.

that motor mount photo is from the one he managed to get running in '06. the reason i need the shims is to make the choke lever clear the manifold when the choke lever is in the down position.

thanks for the help guys! will report more as the project progresses.

john
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