Help needed! HD Sidecar brake drum bearings.

[Fred Austin]

As those that have gone before me I have all but given up on finding a 1979 ton 1984 HD sidecar brake drum PN:89666-79. They are scarce as the Himalayan YETI! With the help of this AMCA website and Pat from MI (backing plate) and Dave from FL (Brake drum) I'm almost there. The 1941 to 1984 "Parts catalog FL Models" shows a brake drum PN: 87657-58 for 1958 to early 76. The same page in the catalog shows a bearing PN:43577-67 for 1967 to Early 1976. The catalog calls for 2 of these bearings (if I can find them) but the axle 1941 to 1976 doesn't look like it has enough room for 2 bearings. The new axle I have is allegedly from VTwin. That being said I had to turn about .010 off the wheel hub end to get the correct fit on the end bearing.

Can anyone shed any light on the bearings listed in the catalog for the drum. Also on not listed the bearing that would work from 1958 to 1967 Thanks, Fred

[Rubone]

The 58 type drum has no bearings, they are in the wheel hub (star hub). The '67 type uses two bearings in the drum and one bearing in the hub using the ( so called mid-star).

[Fred Austin]

Robbie,
Thanks that helps. I have the 67 sidecar wheel hub. I have a brake drum on the way PN: 87657-58 according to the parts catalog that brake drum is used from 1958 to early 1976. From what you are saying when that brake drum is used on a 1958 to 1967 application it has no bearing. If it is used on a 1967 to early 1976 it holds 2 bearings in the drum and the one bearing at the outside of the wheel hub. They must be pretty thin bearings because there is only about 7/8" of journal for them to ride on after the backing plate is on the axel. There must also be a spacer between the inside bearing and the backing plate. Do I have that correct?
Thanks, Fred