WL 45 frame

[skidshoe]

I've got a 45 project I'm starting and I'm wondering if anyone can tell me more about the frame. I believe it's a 41 or later frame but not sure. What I'm struggling with most is the tail end seems too narrow to fit my original rear wheel hub and brake drum. The frame is roughly 5/8" too narrow to fit the axle spacer into left side of frame. I can pry the frame with a large bar but this is obviously not correct. Is my tail end bent together? You can see in the picture inside to inside of tail castings measures roughly 7 15/16". Was there different widths or narrower axles? Thanks for the input.

image3.jpgimage1.jpgimage2.jpg

[len dowe]

I get 9" outside to outside on my 3 bolt frame. The neck hallmark cast numbers will tell you what year you have.

[skidshoe]

Looks like ZE-35T.

IMG_2517.jpg

[len dowe]

You might want to get this. It will answer several questions you have and more.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HOW-TO-RESTO...hVFWxW&vxp=mtr

[RCamp]

That frame is a replacement two bolt tranny frame made later with a three bolt tranny lower casting.
The factory must have been out of the earlier castings at that time.
I don't why they didn't cut off the third tranny mounting tab to avoid confusion.
They rear brake assembly on the two bolt frames were narrower.
The two bolt tranny was also narrower, so for proper chain alignment, you must use the earlier rear brake assembly and two bolt tranny.

[duffeycycles]

& earlier tanks /shifter to make that all work....some say you can bend the rear legs out

[skidshoe]

RCamp, that would make a lot of sense. Palmer discusses an early brake drum and shoes thy were narrower but I didn't see anything about the frame or axle components in his book. I also don't see any narrow parts associated with this in 45 Reatoration's book or website. I placed a call to speak with Warren and he was out for a number of days.

[Rubone]

I also don't see any narrow parts associated with this in 45 Reatoration's book or website.

Almost the entire aftermarket for 45 parts is related to '41 and later. 3 bolt transmissions and wide brakes due to the majority of 45s falling into that realm due to Army contracts. Frames like yours are an anomaly and not actually correct for anything, just an attempt by H-D to provide relief for customers with damaged '40 and earlier frames after they no longer built them. The chain line and brake difference is 7/16" inch, basically all on the right side. It can be made to work depending on how creative (and brave) you are in modifying it.

[skidshoe]

Thanks for the info. Would there be anybody in the market for this frame I wonder? Guess I better trade somebody frames or start looking for narrower axle and brake parts....always something!

[Rubone]

You cannot just change the axle and brake, the entire transmission is different to match that width., and with the early transmission there is the early clutch as well. And on and on...

[len dowe]

http://www.chopcult.com/forum/

[levelhead]

Is the third (outside) trans mount been welded to the frame or is part of trans mount casting?

[RCamp]

It's part of the casting

[levelhead]

I'm talking about his frame in particular .

[RCamp]

Again, his frame is a replacement frame for a pre '41 45 that was made by the factory later in the forties using the three bolt lower casting.