VL Fork Lock

[HDSmitty]

I have been driving myself crazy for a few days now trying to find an old thread where the person was trying to free up a VL lock. If I remember correctly, it was uninstalled but the stationary outer and the rotating inner were fused together after many years of sitting.This was an insanely long thread (many PAGES) with lots of great suggestions for a solution. It also had many pictures and some rather heated discussions. I have tried all the various search methods and even tried looking through WAY too many old pages in many categories. I did find a reference to the desired thread (I think) on page 56 of the Flatheads section near the bottom but was unable to have any further success. It is the pictures in this thread mainly that I am seeking (there were quite a few). If this jogs anyones memory and you could possibly provide a link to the thread, I would be extremely grateful. Thanks in advance Smitty

[wideglide38]

Smitty, Hope this helps. The lock assembly is held in place by a small PIN (my PIN was at the 10 O’Clock position when facing lock cylinder from right side). To find the PIN you will have to remove paint. You can drill out the PIN and try pulling the lock assembly out. My lock assembly was frozen; so I drilled the lock to where I could remove the cylinder remnants with needle nose and not damage the neck casting. I bought a new lock from Bill’s Custom Cycles (https://www.billscustomcycles.com/) and installed with a locking PIN. I believe my lock was described for Pan and I believe the lock assemblies were the same for V’s and Pans. William

Here are links to a couple of forum threads on VL neck locks doing a quick search. There may be other threads.

http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/bbo...ight=neck+lock

http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/bbo...ight=neck+lock

[HDSmitty]

Thanks William for your response and help. I am familiar with removing the pin either through tig or drilling but it is the detailed pictures of the lock itself (all angles, especially the back) that I am seeking. The locksmith near me has many locks similar to or maybe even exactly like the original but I don't want to destroy the one stuck in the frame until I have matched it up. I work with many different kinds of locks on a regular basis and being of a somewhat frugal nature (read cheap), I don't want to pay the $50.00 plus for a lock that is available for MUCH less when not attached to being for an antique Harley. I can remember the thread I'm thinking of and being amazed it could have so many pages and responses on this limited topic. I thought that I bookmarked it for future reference but I guess not. Hopefully this thread will jog someones memory and they'll provide a link as you were kind enough to do. It'll turn up and if not at least I know where I can get the correct one from reading the other threads. Thanks again....still looking....Smitty

[wideglide38]

Smitty, I have this photo of this aftermarket lock assembly. Not a complete view of the backside. William

[Peter Cooke]

Did you mean this thread?

http://www.caimag.com/forum/showthre...on-t-mean-cold

[Jim]

Good Find Peter!! I found it very informative!

[HDSmitty]

THANK YOU PETER COOKE!!!!!!! Yes I am yelling! I have been looking for this thread for WAY too long and was almost giving up, but thought I would throw it out there for the razor sharp minds and memory banks that are so pervasive throughout this forum. May the (not too) shiny side stay up and the wind always be in your face! Thanks again, Smitty