1954 LE Sidecar. How are the ball connections installed on the lower mounts? There forward has a ring on it but doesn't appear to have any flats, so I don't think it is a retaining nut and the rear doesn't appear to have any type of retainer. Should it be threaded, or is it a press fit? My ultimate goal is to remove the ball fitting and replace it with a Heim joint (rod end).
1954 LE Sidecar. How are the ball connections installed on the lower mounts? There forward has a ring on it but doesn't appear to have any flats, so I don't think it is a retaining nut and the rear doesn't appear to have any type of retainer. Should it be threaded, or is it a press fit? My ultimate goal is to remove the ball fitting and replace it with a Heim joint (rod end).
I've not had a need to personally disassemble, but the 1955-65 Harley parts manual shows part #60 as 87254-24 BALL STUD (2) . The drawings were generally accurate in such details, and this drawing shows an unthreaded stud with a groove cut in its surface. Note that part #5 is a set screw. My guess is the set screw is what retains the ball stud via the retaining groove. Also my guess is your set screw is buried under 75 years of paint and grime.
@panhead_kicker Thank you, and probably several layers of chassis black enamel, that sounds plausible. I'll let you know next time I mess with it.