I am in the early stages of mounting a 1954 LE steel car onto a 2004 Road King. I'm still gathering parts. I would love to hear from anyone who has undertaken a similar project. The car has been updated at some point in its life because it has a hydraulic drum brake installed. My goal is to limit fabrication to the bare minimum and use as many Harley Davidson factory parts to bolt this all together to the greatest extent possible. Right now I'm trying to figure out which 2004 era parts to use and which 1954 era parts to use, and where/how to join them. This is very new to me so any advice (except this can't be done, find something else) is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Kevin Winters
Kevin @kevin-winters, WELCOME to the Greatest Show on Earth, or any of the odd numbered planets.
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Interesting, I would like to see you succeed. No, I haven't done this, but I may be able to help. After 3 posts you will be able to post pictures. A photo of the sidecar chassis would be most helpful. Welcome to the forum.
The first thing I'm trying to figure out is the rear mount. On older bikes the attachment point was on the actual swingarm aft of the swingarm mount point. I have a swingarm attachment fitting. It is circled in the picture of the attachment fittings (I also have the rear mount attachment for a rigid frame bike). I don't know if the attachment fitting will fit the swingarm of a newer FLH. I believe this would be a ball & socket type connection.
Another option I am considering is using the more modern (period correct for the bike) fitting that replaces the RH Swingarm Mount. It would move the rear attachment point several inches forward. I don't have these parts yet, they appear to be hard to find and expensive when you do find them. It would also require mounting the corresponding piece onto the J-Bar tube forward of the rear forging. I don't have these parts yet but it may still be the best option. It would be a Heim Joint connection.
I think there is a third option I'm still exploring. It looks like it may have been used in mid 80s - mid 90s. And mounts at the swing arm mount point but has a ball and socket mount instead of a Heim joint. I don't have much information.
Is there anything I should be considering that I'm not? Is there anything I have completely wrong? Are there advantages or disadvantages to the Heim Joint vs Ball & Socket?
Thanks.