Looking for the cap that goes on the HD sidecar axle nut. It has a -79 part number so it should fit 79 UP. It helps to hold the split pin in. I guess I will try and put a cotter pin in for now but worry about the children that are getting in and out of the sidecar getting caught on it and hurt.
Thanks
Jeff
Most auto parts stores sell those type of caps made by Dorman. They were commonly used on drum brake cars for maybe 75 years for that same purpose, to cover the nut and cotter pin on front spindles. They come in all kinds of different sizes so you'd want to mic it first, then get a cap that's a few thousandths larger where it snuggles in. Obviously helps to ride the bike down but if ya can't then picking up 2 or 3 sizes and returning the ones that didn't fit would do it. Once you find out what size and the application you might check online and find one in chrome, but the Dorman ones have a cadmium type plating and look okay.
You could also use a towing ball cover to cap it. I did that to cover up an ugly bearing cap while I looked for a new cap. Decided it worked well enough that I just kept the ball cover!
XLerate - 3/13/2013 1:57 AM
Most auto parts stores sell those type of caps made by Dorman. They were commonly used on drum brake cars for maybe 75 years for that same purpose, to cover the nut and cotter pin on front spindles. They come in all kinds of different sizes so you'd want to mic it first, then get a cap that's a few thousandths larger where it snuggles in. Obviously helps to ride the bike down but if ya can't then picking up 2 or 3 sizes and returning the ones that didn't fit would do it. Once you find out what size and the application you might check online and find one in chrome, but the Dorman ones have a cadmium type plating and look okay.
I know what you are talking about on the front drum brakes of cars as years ago I did a many a car front drum brake and they are very different then what is on my hack. Sorry to say they are not even close.
What is on my hack is a cover held in place with to set screws that tighten on the axle nut. Harley wants a ridicules price for them. I guess if I cannot find the OEM stock part I will have to go to Harley and start looking at the axle nut covers as I can get a set of them for less then half what Harley wants for the OEM one. I need one for a 15/16 nut but I would think a 1 inch will work as well.
Thanks
Jeff
Sorry that didn't help. Jeff. I don't have a picture or resource to see what the heck it actually is, so that was a wild guess. Typical of Harley and all the other bike mfgr's to make up a part that's peculiar so you're forced to go to the mfgr and nowhere else.
Don't know what other options are out there for you. Maybe go to McMaster Carr website and their huge inventory and search for 'bearing dust cap' or 'bearing cover cap' or 'hub dust cap' etc. to see if they have something that would fit or could be modified. Another thought is to email Dorman and send them a picture and inquire if they make anything like that, maybe Harley sourced them for the original part?
XLerate I appreciate any suggestions as you never know. It is not a dust cover it is a cover that goes over the castle nut and holds the spit pin in. I can put a cotter pin in but worried about children or any rider getting caught on the cotter pin. I ride quite a few children besides my grandchildren and sure to not want anyone hurt! All so it is ugly. It is just a small aluminum cap with two set screws to hold it.
Harley when they discontinued making sidecars after 93 years they said they would still provide parts for them which they have to do for 10 years by law. But what they did not say is the prices are going up 2 to 3 times what they where. I saw the break pads go from $50 to $80 in one week. But on the pads you can get after market for around $40 as they fit other Harley s as well.
Here is a picture and the cap is circled in red hope you can see it.
Thanks
Jeff
harley part 87705-79 . http://www.surdyke.com/AdvPartInfo.asp?PartNumber=87705-79 . they are expensive . i dont know what the size of the front axle nut covers are but i think they are cheap and maybe you can modifly it to fit.
horrorguy - 3/13/2013 11:10 PM
harley part 87705-79 . http://www.surdyke.com/AdvPartInfo.asp?PartNumber=87705-79 . they are expensive . i dont know what the size of the front axle nut covers are but i think they are cheap and maybe you can modifly it to fit.
Thank you I have the part number and I have checked they list for $76 and I can get them for $60. The front nuts are too small but am trying to check on some rear axle kits for softails at half the price. I would like the original but not at that rip off price. I will have to go to the HD shop and look but right now any price is out of my price range.
Thanks
Jeff
check on ebay for aluminum round bar stock .you may be able to make what you need cheaper .
horrorguy - 3/13/2013 11:33 PM
check on ebay for aluminum round bar stock .you may be able to make what you need cheaper .
Yes if I get off my butt and set my lath up. LOL I have thought about that and is my last resort.
Thanks
Jeff
i watch ebay for anything sidecar and other stuff for my harley .i will keep my eye out for the cover.
horrorguy - 3/14/2013 12:10 AM
i watch ebay for anything sidecar and other stuff for my harley .i will keep my eye out for the cover.
Thanks I do to but two sets of eyes are better then one particularly when one is a old half blind man. LOL
Thanks
Jeff
Now that I can see it I have a couple of suggestions. First is to try a white PVC or black ABS plastic pipe cap to see if one can be driven in place over hub. Cheap and might last for years and a shot of silver spary paint would spiff it up.
Second is a galvanized pipe cap, same deal. I don't see the two screws you mention so I'll guess they're setscrews in sides of original cap, bearing against sidewall of hub extension. If so you could get the closest size galvy cap, even slightly trim interior threads if needs be, and drill and tap sides for a couple of setscrews.
Otherwise I don't see why one of the Dorman bearing dust caps wouldn't work. Only difference is it's a friction fit over outside of hub instead of inside. The Dorman caps are soft thinwall metal so one would stretch slightly if driven in place and give a tight friction fit. They come in every imaginable size, but they're sized by o.d. and not i.d. You'd have to allow for the thickness of the sidewall metal on cap to get the right o.d size for an i.d. fit. I'd just mic the hub and take the micrometer with me to the parts store, NAPA usually has a good stock of many sizes.
A PVC or ABS pipe cap could also just be attached with silicone gel. It rarely needs to be removed.
Lonnie.
Hack'n - 3/14/2013 1:26 PM
A PVC or ABS pipe cap could also just be attached with silicone gel. It rarely needs to be removed.
Lonnie.
Thanks I am considering all options and being I will be changing the hack tire in the next two months or so I will leave all my options open.
Thanks
Jeff
