Front Header Pipe on U Model

[Sidehacker]

On my 1945 U model front header pipe, do I have to crease the pipe where the top front side car mount is, like I was told to do years ago or is it a bad fitting pipe, or do they have a separate pt number front header that im not aware of.
Sidehacker aka
Keith

[Rubone]

Factory bikes fitted with sidecar as ordered had a dimple. Owner or dealer added sidecars require an owner created dimple unless you could find a nearly non-existent factory header. No stock factory solo header works with a sidecar.

[1937hd]

20251019_082528.jpg

[1937hd]

This is a factory ohv front pipe with side car dent

[Jerry Wieland]

This is a factory ohv front pipe with side car dent

That is nothing like the dent that was on the Knucklehead header pipe I had. No where near that severe. Jerry

[T. Cotten]

That is nothing like the dent that was on the Knucklehead header pipe I had. No where near that severe. Jerry

Definitely overkill, Jerry!

The real mystery is why they didn't profit from making them, saving a little more dignity than telling everybody to beat on it.

....Cotten

[Sidehacker]

I finally got back to this. That factory dimple, and I use the word dimple with tongue in cheek because that looks like they ran into a huge rock.seems like that will screw with your back pressure at the very least.
A friend marked his with a marker where the bracket is then he filled the pipe with sand, he then laid a heavy pipe across mark and struck it with small sledge. I wish I had a picture but it looked very clean. I just thought it was a lot of work, but now I see it seems like a better route.
Thank guys for answering my question so quickly. I know what I'm going to do this weekend and if it comes out ok I'll include pictures.
Keith

[T. Cotten]

When skilled use of a simple hammer is lost, Folks,..

So are millennia of civilization.

And it shows.

....Cotten