some interesting K parts

or, the second installment in a Newbie's Need for Help...

Have found today a set of front and rear K cylinders marked 16581-55R, and a set of rods marked 24296-55R and 24292-55R.
I'm guessing these are KR, and if that's indeed correct, for what years would they have been current?

There are a few groupings of flywheels with 23932-56R. One set seeming reasonable in appearance, and others polished and lightened. How lightened and polished can flywheels get before they are no longer useable - is there a guideline for this?

There was also a set of flywheels with MO CASCO 40, 32, and 5 on them - no other markings except MC in a shield. They appear to be the same size as other K flywheels - maybe 45", but not WR judging by the pictures on Eric's BOS site. Any particular way I can take measurements to help identify these?

There were also some cams, a 4F, 4K, 1K, and 3J - out of these, can anyone tell me what the F and J cams are from - sportster?

There were also two cylinders, unmarked, with very similar characteristics to the -55R ones - similar relieving, female exhaust manifold, etc that had been modified in an interesting way. They seem to have been cut in in two across the bore above the base flange and then welded back together somewhat shorter than before. There is also a set of rods that are very similar in style to the -55R rods, but are shorter, and unmarked. I think these might be matched with these shorter cylinders.

Could anyone hazard a guess as to what a previous owner might have been trying to achieve with this set-up? A de-stroked K? An earlier 45" with a later top end? I can take (imprecise) measurements if it would help.

Many thanks again,

Simon

55 is first year for rods used up through 1968.
cylinders? don't know, IIRC there's a 59 or 60 also.
limit to polishing? like what?
F & J are KR
short cylinders may be "low-boy" 1968-69, Branch made some short rod motors by sawing rods in half. any sign of weld on rod beam? Should be 1" shorter - 6.4375" centers.
BTW: that's the reason the XR rods are that length - already tested.

Hi Panic, thanks for the replies in each of my threads - they've been a big help.

I checked the rods again and they have indeed been cut and welded back together - there are signs of a diagonal cut lengthwise down the rods. Seems like a very clean job. I'll measure tomorrow.

Do you know of anyone else doing these mods at all - are they common? What sort of flywheels would need to be run with such a setup?

Many thanks!

Simon

Definitely not common, you may have a set made by Branch himself. Uses std. KR (3.8125") wheels, IDK about pistons, valves must be shorter, DK about manifold fit - some were dual carb. Photos?

hi LENORD ANDRES did couple sets. at last factory made about 6 sets short for them. check center distance from crank pin to center of sprocket shaft ror stroke cams can be for sportster xlr cast iron 750 or xr 750 except for k cams. i bought out ANDRES stuff sometime ago have lot of parts. also have the short rod motor rarburn and brad rode. all parts u have is for ball bearing motor so cases must match. new parts for r lower ends hard to find so make sur parts r not wore out as most was. check all parts to make sure u can match up.

Hi,

I can provide pics if anyone can post them for me?

Cheers,

Simon

I'll put them up for 30 days.

I just talked to someone,the other day that has a set of KR heads from BRAD ANDRES bike. BREWSKI

Pictures will come - please bear with me.

Had a chance to compare the workmanship against a set of Andres (sp?) cylinders, and it was different.

Will send through pics once things have settled down here.

Cheers,

Simon

Simon,just a thought,but XR1000/EVO XL SPORTSTER rods are the same length ,which I believe are the same as the short rod KR's. Panic had this info on one of his charts,it might be easier to run a complete EVO XL bottom end,check with PANIC. I hope you're not buying all of this stuff in hopes of bolting it together;sounds like someone's wet dream to me. BREWSKI

No.
Std. rods including KR 7.4375".
KR short rods and XR 6.4375".
XR1000 & Evo 6.926".

PANIC,thanks for the correction!,all of my paper work(manuals/parts books are in storage),I was trying to remember (?) the exact dimensions. BREWSKI

BREWSKI SO VERY TRUE THERE R MANY MISC. PARTS AROUND IF BARRELLS R SHORTEN THEN U HAVE TO HAVE MATCHING RODS . I USE TO WORK FOR TON SIFTON HE BUILT ONE IN 1954 AND IT BLEW UP. JOE LEONARD WAS RIDING IT AT BAY MEADOWS 1954. WHEN HE CLOSED HIS CAM MFG. I HELPED TO CLEAN OUT THINGS. HE GAVE ME CASES I HAD JOE SIGN THEM HAD LONG SORY TO TELL ABOUT THEM. SAY IF U KNOW ANYONE WHO WANTS HARLEY BEER SIGNED BY JOE I HAVE CASE OF IT. I TELL MOST PEOPLE MOST RACING PARTS LAYING AROUND MOST TIMES SOMTHING WRONG WITH THEM

Too true - many were taken out of service that very reason.

To make things even more complex, and as a potential aid to those contemplating building a strange and wonderful 45, K or XL motor, here's the complete range of XL-type rods that fit the std. or S&S 1-1/4" XL crankpin, length given between centers, all big ends 1.625":
std. 45, K, KH, Sportster: 7.4375"
XR1000 & Evo Sportster: 6.926"
S&S #7900 XL stroker special rods: 7.113"
Buell XB9: 7.27"
Carrillo: 8.00"

For anyone who wants to see what these look like, I have listed them on ebay at item 4611374458, as I'm forced to sell them. My apologies if this seems like spam but I'm sure those of you who would bid would have already found them anyway.

Please email me if you're interested in pics of these - I am happy to email the pics I have. I'll also try to take some close up shots of the modified areas in comparison to the standard KR cylinders I have.

Cheers,

S

Simon,sorry to hear about you're parts sale;like PANIC and XLR said "R" parts are very hard to find (useable). I got the "R" bug about 20 years ago,went to the WAUSEON,ohio AMCA meet;someone had a front mount WICO for sale ($500.00) that was gutted,no drive gears,basically a body and the shaft. Needless to say I definitely passed on it,end of story. Do you still have Patrick's website??? BREWSKI

Brewski, Patrick's site is http://www.harleykrxlrtt.com. Along with Eric's http://www.beautyofspeed.com, it's a great resource.

It's like chosing which testicle to lose, selling these things. I'm just being a realist though - I won't be in a position to experiment with this set up for a long while yet.

Still learning though, and having fun brushing with history through parts like these.

Simon I hear ya! At one time I had a '52 K, a '55KH, and 3 '56 KHK's,fortunately I kept the best one,due to my 2nd ex,I was forced to sell the other ones. Shit happens!!!!!! It was easier to cut the ole lady lose then lose all of my bikes. BREWSKI

i have a really nice set of KR cases i will be selling at some point that are modified for the short rod engine. the front of the cases are chopped off like the pic of the short rod engine in the harley racer book. i will dig them out and look at the year and serial number in the not too distant future..