Confused About the Top Fork Bracket On My 68 FLH

Looks like I have a panhead top bracket on my shovel

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Mongrel505558
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Confused About the Top Fork Bracket On My 68 FLH

#1

Post by Mongrel505558 »

I’ve run into some confusion regarding my upper fork bracket. As well as I can read it, the part number on the underside of the bracket is 56121-60. The Parts Catalog lists this number as fork bracket for 60-64 non-adjustable fork. I also appear to have 56158-49 rubber bushings in the steel sleeves, which are listed as used from 49 to * (asterisk indicates part is used on 1968 models). However; the parts book shows bracket 56121-65 as used from 65 to *. This calls for a different bushings (45732-60) and a quantity of four required. So it appears that the 56158-49 bushings can be used on both upper brackets, but the 65 and up bracket calls for 45732-60 bushings. WTF? And it also appears that I have the wrong (earlier) upper fork bracket.

I'm trying to replace the bushings, but I'm trying to figure out what I need before I order anything.

Thanks

Jim
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Re: Confused About the Top Fork Bracket On My 68 FLH

#2

Post by RUBONE »

Sounds like you have crap for parts books. There is a '68 parts book and copies are for sale all the time on eBay. Using anything from the '70s or later will screw you up. 4 piece bushings didn't exist until the '73 models.
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Re: Confused About the Top Fork Bracket On My 68 FLH

#3

Post by panhead_kicker »

If you get the choice, the 60-70 or 61-71 book has fewer issues than the 58-68 catalog. There has been more than one wild goose chase the 68 catalog has sent me on.
Mongrel505558
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Re: Confused About the Top Fork Bracket On My 68 FLH

#4

Post by Mongrel505558 »

RUBONE wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 8:57 pm Sounds like you have crap for parts books. There is a '68 parts book and copies are for sale all the time on eBay. Using anything from the '70s or later will screw you up. 4 piece bushings didn't exist until the '73 models.
I have the factory 1958 to 1968 Electra-Glide/Duo-Glide Parts Catalog. Page 74-76 is where I got these numbers from.

Jim
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Re: Confused About the Top Fork Bracket On My 68 FLH

#5

Post by RUBONE »

Fork bracket FORGING NUMBERS remain the same. PART NUMBERS change due to features. Do not confuse the two. The '65 up top tree has holes in different places, hence the part number difference but it is the SAME forging.
The bushing (item 13) is a cupped steel rubber covered washer and it functions to restrict movement of the bars. A totally different item than the "4 piece bushings" used later.
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Re: Confused About the Top Fork Bracket On My 68 FLH

#6

Post by Speeding Big Twin »

Mongrel505558 wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 6:32 pm As well as I can read it, the part number on the underside of the bracket is 56121-60.
I suspect the number under the bracket is 56120-60 as per this example but it’s a forging number not a part number.


Forging number 56120-60.jpg

My 58–68 catalog has 56121-60 which is a part number. As of 65 the part number became 56121-65 but the forging number remained 56120-60. Also as of 65 models there was a 5/16” threaded hole in the upper bracket to accommodate a long horn bracket which could be used for 65 thru about mid-68? Does your upper bracket have that hole? Beginning around later-68 a different horn bracket was introduced which bolted to the lower fork bracket. What horn bracket do you have? In upper fork brackets there are also differences in the location of screw holes for the terminal plate. Can you post photos of your upper bracket please.
Eric
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Mongrel505558
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Re: Confused About the Top Fork Bracket On My 68 FLH

#7

Post by Mongrel505558 »

Speeding Big Twin wrote: Fri Jan 21, 2022 6:21 am
Mongrel505558 wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 6:32 pm As well as I can read it, the part number on the underside of the bracket is 56121-60.
I suspect the number under the bracket is 56120-60 as per this example but it’s a forging number not a part number.



Forging number 56120-60.jpg


My 58–68 catalog has 56121-60 which is a part number. As of 65 the part number became 56121-65 but the forging number remained 56120-60. Also as of 65 models there was a 5/16” threaded hole in the upper bracket to accommodate a long horn bracket which could be used for 65 thru about mid-68? Does your upper bracket have that hole? Beginning around later-68 a different horn bracket was introduced which bolted to the lower fork bracket. What horn bracket do you have? In upper fork brackets there are also differences in the location of screw holes for the terminal plate. Can you post photos of your upper bracket please.
Eric
I do have the 5/16" threaded hole for the horn bracket, as well as the bracket that comes down from the top and the horn. So I guess my question has been answered. Thanks.

Jim
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Re: Confused About the Top Fork Bracket On My 68 FLH

#8

Post by Mongrel505558 »

So yesterday I ordered a set of bushings of the 56158-49 type. I should be able to reuse the two 56159-49 rubber washers I have. The bushings in there now look like a bitch to remove. I found in the knowledge a thread where Bob L. suggests cutting out the rubber with a hole saw and then getting a hacksaw blade in there to cut the wall of the steel sleeve. Then drive out the sleeve. OK. I can do that. Can I press them out instead if I have a press plug that bears on the bearing outer steel sleeve? I assume I have to press the new bushings in from the bottom. How do I know when to stop so the handlebar clamp is not cocked?

Jim
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Re: Confused About the Top Fork Bracket On My 68 FLH

#9

Post by RUBONE »

Mongrel505558 wrote: Fri Jan 21, 2022 2:45 pm So yesterday I ordered a set of bushings of the 56158-49 type. I should be able to reuse the two 56159-49 rubber washers I have. The bushings in there now look like a bitch to remove. I found in the knowledge a thread where Bob L. suggests cutting out the rubber with a hole saw and then getting a hacksaw blade in there to cut the wall of the steel sleeve. Then drive out the sleeve. OK. I can do that. Can I press them out instead if I have a press plug that bears on the bearing outer steel sleeve? I assume I have to press the new bushings in from the bottom. How do I know when to stop so the handlebar clamp is not cocked?

Jim
There is a step machined in the tree where the bushings stop. Good luck with the bushings, most aftermarket types are too soft.
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Re: Confused About the Top Fork Bracket On My 68 FLH

#10

Post by panhead_kicker »

Mongrel505558 wrote: Fri Jan 21, 2022 2:45 pm ...Can I press them out instead if I have a press plug that bears on the bearing outer steel sleeve? I assume I have to press the new bushings in from the bottom. How do I know when to stop so the handlebar clamp is not cocked?

Jim
I've replaced these a few times, and always been able to press them out from the top, without any cutting required.
Mongrel505558
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Re: Confused About the Top Fork Bracket On My 68 FLH

#11

Post by Mongrel505558 »

panhead_kicker wrote: Fri Jan 21, 2022 4:22 pm
Mongrel505558 wrote: Fri Jan 21, 2022 2:45 pm ...Can I press them out instead if I have a press plug that bears on the bearing outer steel sleeve? I assume I have to press the new bushings in from the bottom. How do I know when to stop so the handlebar clamp is not cocked?

Jim
I've replaced these a few times, and always been able to press them out from the top, without any cutting required.
I just pressed them out from the top using a 7/8" deep socket as a press plug. Easy as pie. Took some cranking, though.

Jim
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