1949 Harley WL Shift Gate

[rangofox]

Hello,
I am curious if a 1949 WL uses a shift gate because neither of my tanks have mounting holes. The gas tank appears to have mount for shift lever as well. Did this year not have a gate?

[Buster]

Your left side tank is for a right side shifter and your right side tank is for a left side shifter. You need to change out one of the tanks to match the side you want the shifter to be on.

[Rubone]

Look down into your left tank and see if the indentation is there for the gate. It could be filled with body filler if the tanks were used on a custom application. All WLs and Servi-Cars have shift gates so there are no exceptions unless mismatched parts as Buster pointed out. Since Servi-Cars had right hand shifter options the mismatch is possible.

[rangofox]

thank you, I See the left tank has the mount for the shifter, i bet it was filled in and painted. I will check when I get home today.

[Rubone]

thank you, I See the left tank has the mount for the shifter, i bet it was filled in and painted. I will check when I get home today.

The mount isn't proof in itself, left side tanks used on right hand shift also have the mount since the crossover rod uses it.

[rangofox]

Under the paint, bondo, solder, and metal strip. The mounting was preserved.

[Architect]

You got lucky, good for you!!!!

[Rubone]

Luckily they had not cut the pivot off. It must have been set up with a jockey shift, or perhaps even a B&H!