Help Identifying a Hydra-glide front end

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AZScott-42
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Help Identifying a Hydra-glide front end

#1

Post by AZScott-42 »

I have a Hydra-glide front end and need some members help identifying the year.
It is on a WLA flathead, so trying to decide if I want to keep it or go the expense to replace with a proper springer.
I thought it was an early model, but after some research, not so sure now.
It works well so may just rebuild it and run with it.
Does the top bolt need to be drilled and threaded to allow the trim tin ?
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RUBONE
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Re: Help Identifying a Hydra-glide front end

#2

Post by RUBONE »

That is a 1960 up type adjustable rake fork. It may be a fixed Rake as used on a Servi-Car. standard all the adjustable and fixed rake forks are 1" stem. All WLA and civilian 45 solo are 7/8" stem. So either the stem has been changed or you frame has had a neck modification. More and detailed photos would help determine which.
The pivot bolt on yours is not stock. On a stock one it is a thicker head and is indeed drilled for the tins, however your top tree uses the later type of risers and those never had tins, they used the aluminum nacelle.
AZScott-42
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Re: Help Identifying a Hydra-glide front end

#3

Post by AZScott-42 »

Rubone, Thank you !
This helps a lot, and gives me some leads to follow.
How do I check if it is a fixed Rake or adjustable ?
The top nut I believe was standard on 49 to 59 Panheads, and on 58 and 59 Servicars.
So thinking it may be a Servicar front end and fixed.
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Re: Help Identifying a Hydra-glide front end

#4

Post by RUBONE »

Looking at the underside of the bottom tree, if there are two plates with pins held in place by the pivot bolt that allow it to move fore and aft in a slot it is adjustable. If there is merely one hole with the bolt through it , it is fixed.
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