Fork Drain Plug Location

[cverdon]

I am restoring a 1956 FL. Many parts were chromed over the years or replaced with aftermarket, however some original parts did remain. I believe the left side fork is original as it has a part number stamped near the top, but the right leg has no visible part number and the drain plug is on the front of the fork (I did not notice this until after I repaired it and installed it on the bike).

Is the right fork supposed to have a drain plug on the front, or is this a left side lower that someone used as a right hand fork? Has anyone ever seen a right hand lower with a front drain plug on a hydra glide?

If this is wrong, I plan to drill the hole all the way through to the other side and tap with 1/8 NPT, then fill the front hole with weld with my MIG spool gun.

[Raytag]

Early Shovel left side ?

Ray

[RooDog]

Be carefull with your drilling through that lower leg as there are often steel pieces hiding deep down in there....
...RooDog....

[RUBONE]

If the left leg has numbers cast in it then it is a '49 only left. The one on the right is indeed a '69-'72 left leg being used on the right.

[RooDog]

Then why is the drain plug at the wrong location?

And be sure cverdon understands that casting/engineering numbers are not the same as part numbers....

[RUBONE]

Then why is the drain plug at the wrong location?

And be sure cverdon understands that casting/engineering numbers are not the same as part numbers....

I edited my post, apparently too difficult for some to understand. When a '69 type leg is used on the right (no backing plate boss) the plug is reversed.

And '49 is the only year with a number on it, so whether it is a casting or a part# is moot. All other fork legs from '50-'77 are polished smooth, no casting numbers visible.

[Buddhahoodvatoloco]

Highly desirable to boot.

If the left leg has numbers cast in it then it is a '49 only left. The one on the right is indeed a '69-'72 left leg being used on the right.

[cverdon]

So, you think this left side lower is from a 1949 pan?

[panz4ever]

Most definitely....it is one year only.



Legs on my 49 EL

[pan620]

Please do not drill that slider, sell it to me, or we could trade!

[cverdon]

OK. I will trade this one 1949 left side lower for two correct and functional (i.e. not broken or rewelded) 1950-1957 hydraglide lowers that use a left side brake drum. I need the right and left side. Let me know if you have something to trade. No chrome, aluminum only.

[cverdon]

Or, if someone is interested in the 1969-72 (shovelhead electraglide) left side fork (used here on the right side), I would gladly trade for a proper right side 1950-1967 hydraglide lower.