Washers For My Nuts

[denismccarthy]

Hey Guys

Got a question for ya.. In regards to my 1920 WF Sport Twin restoration; I'm trying to deside whether to put lock washers or flat washers or no washers under the cylinder base nuts. I know this is a little detail, but it can be important when it comes time for a AMCA Judged Event. On our fourth floor in the Museum, we have several Harley Davidsons. As well as other original early American bikes such as Flying Merkel, Yale etc. The original bikes have no washers at all under their base nuts. So I'm leaning towards no washers. What do you guys think? My next move is to put a call into Bruce Linsday. I'd like to hear what you guys know on the matter.

As always..Thank!!

Denis

[Venus]

Hi Denis,

I did not used washers used unter the cilinder base nuts.
They are not mentioned in the partlist.
Do you have normal nuts or the long model?

Peter

[diesel55]

base nuts

Hello Denis Ask Tom Wilcox fron canada.I know he has restored at least one of these. benson

[denismccarthy]

Thanks Guys

Peter I believe the nuts are on the longer side. But mine were in bad shape so I may have to use standard 5/16-24 nuts. Do you have a source for good "long" nuts?

Benson, do you have any contact info on Tom Wilcox? Is he a member? I believe I've heard his name mentioned before.

Thanks again

Denis

[LouieMCman]

Denis, my Sport is a 98 point winners circle bike that I'm pretty sure every nut and bolt is original and it has NO washers on the cylinder base nuts.

[denismccarthy]

Ah! Thats very good to hear Louie! Have you uploaded some pictures of your bike? I sure would like to inspect them. Sounds like a wonderful Sport!

Thanks!!

[Tom Wilcock]

Hello Denis: I heard my name mentioned. A couple of years ago I made a Harley Sport model chaincase and I believe also a flywheel cover and exhaust system for Brian Slark at the Museum. I sent him something else about a year ago for the same bike. Is this the same bike you are working on? I did not use lockwashers for the cylinder base nuts on my restored 1920 Sport Model. Like Peter says, they are not shown in the parts book. An engine I have for another basket case Sport Model has very thin lockwashers only on the 4 front cylinder studs. The engine has not been apart for a very long time but that does not make it correct. The bottom stone guard attaches to the bottom studs. Do you have a copy of "Numerical List of Bolts, Nuts, Washers, Etc, as Used on Harley-Davidson Motorcycles and Sidecars" It is dated Feb. 1 1920 ? I will make a copy and send it to you if you don't have it. It is a valuable booklet when restoring early Harleys. Tom Wilcock #381

[Tom Wilcock]

Denis: I just checked my "Numerical List...." and it states that the cylinder base nuts are "5/16-24 x 17/64 x 1/2 Hexagon nut" That was too easy. Tom

[denismccarthy]

Hey Tom

Great to hear from you. Yes. Its the same bike. About 80 percent complete at this point. Your chain guard and exhaust are a nice addition to the bike. Thanks! I don't have a copy of the hardware booklet. Would you mind sending me a copy? Please send it to my house as it may get lost coming to the Museum. My address is

Denis McCarthy
1657 Montague Street
Leeds, Alabama 35094

I would be happy to pay you a fair amount for the booklet and postage. I think I'm going without the washers. Unless something else turns up!

Thanks again

-Denis

[denismccarthy]

Tom, would you look at this part and identify if you can. I believe perhaps Aliens put it in my parts box because I can't seem to remember were it goes.

Thanks!

[denismccarthy]

Also Tom,

Do you have page 17 of the parts manual? Mine is AWOL. (From "Directory of Spare Parts")

[Tom Wilcock]

Denis: I do not recognise that part as being for the Sport Model. It has been 30 years since I restored mine. Mine is a generator model though. Which parts manual are you missing the page from. I have one issued Nov. 15, 1919 that covers the 19&20 models. The other one covers 1919-1923 and was issued Aug. 15 19. Tom

[denismccarthy]

Tom

My manual is the 1919-1923 produced by the factory. I was thinking that the part in question might be on that missing page. Thanks for any help!

[Tommo]

In the 1919 to 1923 Parts Book on page 3 look at items 7 (GO699B) and 8 (WIA61).
You will see that there are two different nuts holding the cylinders on. Long and Std.
It doesn't give quantities but my Flat Twin has one long one on each of the bottom cyl base studs behind the flywheel. The other ones are just standard HD nuts.
My motor has obviously been apart at some stage in its life so I'm not sure if this is the correct placement of these long nuts or not.
I've looked at the picture Chris put up here and can't see the long nuts on that side of the motor so maybe they are where they should be.

[Tommo]

I should have said the 1920 on Flat Twins have the long nut
1919 didn't