Identify these triple trees!

[Robert Luland]

Well folks it’s time for another brain twisting fess up of info. On the early glide trees in the photos on the part of the casting that makes contact with the frame if the tree was swung all the way to either side you will notice that one tree has a small cut out which is factory. Can some one he tell me what years this tree belongs to? Can’t say that I’ve seen this one before. Thanks, Bob

[Chris Haynes]

Those trees with the cut outs are for 1965 and later. The cut out type were used on models with 3 1/2 gallon tanks.

[Rooster]

Those trees with the cut outs are for 1965 and later. The cut out type were used on models with 3 1/2 gallon tanks.

Is it a -65 casting number? Or a -48 casting number? Is the casting number in this case the same as the part number?

[Chris Haynes]

All the rigid and swing arm clamps carry the -48 number. But there is a difference. The rigid clamps have the stem directly in the middle of the boss on the bottom of the clamp. The swing arm clamps have an oval boss and the stem is off center.

[Robert Luland]

Thanks Chris.

[Rooster]

All the rigid and swing arm clamps carry the -48 number. But there is a difference. The rigid clamps have the stem directly in the middle of the boss on the bottom of the clamp. The swing arm clamps have an oval boss and the stem is off center.

In the photo, the top one is the swingarm clamp, and the bottom is the rigid?

[Robert Luland]

Input! Input! Input! Thank you!

[Chris Haynes]

In the photo, the top one is the swingarm clamp, and the bottom is the rigid?

Yes, as stated.

[T. Cotten]

Those trees with the cut outs are for 1965 and later. The cut out type were used on models with 3 1/2 gallon tanks.

Chris!

Should '65 adjustable trees on tankshift police machines have the cut-outs?

What is the cut-out's purpose?

TIA

.....Cotten

[Chris Haynes]

Chris!

Should '65 adjustable trees on tankshift police machines have the cut-outs?

What is the cut-out's purpose?

TIA

.....Cotten

The cut outs were only used on machines with 3.5 gallon tanks. It allowed the bike to make a tighter turn. Most of the post '64 machines with 3.5 gallon tanks were Police models.

[T. Cotten]

Chris!

So a '65 KCPD machine with a tankshift and hack forks should have the cut-outs?

It is odd that the standard lower fork bracket (45700-58) did not change in the '65 parts book, but the adjustable bracket assembly did: 45708-50A to -50B.

The '65 Parts Book lists the TOP fork brackets for both standard (56121-65) and adjustable trees (56129-65) as somehow different for '65.

However the adjustable stem (45709-60) did not change for '65, and it is the part that would have cutaways!

....Cotten

[Rooster]

The cut outs were only used on machines with 3.5 gallon tanks. It allowed the bike to make a tighter turn. Most of the post '64 machines with 3.5 gallon tanks were Police models.

Chris, when I bought my '52 FL last year, it had later year fork brackets on it, and the lower bracket had the cutouts as described. The rigid-frame '52 has 3-1/2 gallon tanks, but someone had cobbled some chintzy little stops onto the lower bracket, because clearly, without them the forks would collide into the tanks. Would the geometry be that different, a swingarm frame vs. rigid, that even with 3-1/2 gallon tanks these lower fork brackets would still allow the forks to smack into the tanks?

[bmh]

Cotton, does you book really list 45700-58? My 61 and up book lists 45700-60A for all models 60 and later. I don't currently have a parts listings for 58-60 models. As for the cut-outs, it would stand to reason they were police as they don't seem to be mentioned or shown anywhere. Though I also wonder what the point is, are the later 3 1/2 gallon tanks shaped different? Smaller perhaps, pan tanks were always listed at 3 3/4 gallon. After all the standard fork bracket clears the 5 gallon variety, doesn't it?.

[Chris Haynes]

Chris, when I bought my '52 FL last year, it had later year fork brackets on it, and the lower bracket had the cutouts as described. The rigid-frame '52 has 3-1/2 gallon tanks, but someone had cobbled some chintzy little stops onto the lower bracket, because clearly, without them the forks would collide into the tanks. Would the geometry be that different, a swingarm frame vs. rigid, that even with 3-1/2 gallon tanks these lower fork brackets would still allow the forks to smack into the tanks?

Obviously your '52 is not as it left the factory.

[Chris Haynes]

Chris!

So a '65 KCPD machine with a tankshift and hack forks should have the cut-outs?

....Cotten

Only if it has 3.5 gallon tanks.