-52 Casting Number (NOT -52A)  It won't work on a Sportster with one-piece shaft/generator idler gear.  This is for the K Model engine only (maybe a 1957 XL still had an idler shaft (like a 45 or a big twin)?

Last month I went to the Yucatan and stayed in Valladolid for a few days, then hiked Ek Balam and went to few cenotes.  I like to stay near Punta Sur (on the south end)of Isla Mujeres too.  This gal at Playa Norte was doing maintenance on her scooter in the street.  Fixing corroded connections, making sure the lights worked, etc.  She bought it new, it was stolen a few times, lost for almost 6 months on one occasion, but she always got it back.  Nice gal.  Everyone I meet in Quintana Roo and Yucatan are nice.  Someday I'll take my WLA down there and get lost for a few years.  I love it there.

These racks are hard-to-find...and when you do find one, they go for $200-$300 bucks.  Thanks to my friend Dennis for selling me a rack. (I sold him my own rack about 5 years ago, then wished I had it back) I modified an H-D Hummer seat (I like them since they have no seat tee bar) but they're the same shape and steel pan as the original XLCH solo seat.  McFarland helped me make special brackets to mount the seat (which was restored by: Heathers Leathers of South Carolina).
I have a restore, original 1960s Tour Pak that quick attached to this factory luggage rack.  It works slick - and I can now carry more stuff !  We reinforced the stock fender struts too (just for insurance).
All parts are moved back about 1.5" for added leg room - and "lean back" room.  It rides and handles awesome - and I just need a long trip for a test . . . Where we goin'????

The aftermarket makes a little "click" sound . . . and that's when it's not even under pressure.  The aftermarket ball doesn't have that flat on top,(or it's really small) and it kinda catches on the oil hole area in the center of that ball rocker socket.

I belt sanded a flat on it - now it doesn't do it... Maybe that was it???  The oem H-D pushrod didn't do it - now the aftermarket aluminum doesn't either.  Hope that was it - or at least I did something - Gotta really check this shit....  These aftermarket aluminum pushrods are so big in diameter, they want to hit on the inside of your tubes, etc.  I like the narrower aluminum ones...but nothing is as good as the oem H-D parts.

This things just runs so good . . . got it all detailed yesterday.

This thing was pretty farted up.  On the verge of self-destruction sums it up about right . . . My dad worked really hard on it the last month.  Now it's solid - and when the gasses mix with the correct amount of oxygen - it should provide years of enjoyment powering around this great heart of American back roads.  1936 - A year in motorcycle engine production for Harley-Davidson that changed things for H-D, and all manufacturers - from that year onward.

I took this old blacktop A46 all the way east . . . The weather started out kinda foggy and damp, and later turned to sun.  Back roads all the way...dodging Mennonite buggies fresh from Sunday church services.  Their horse-drawn buggies leave deposits - so stay alert or you may squash a clump.
This is a good spot to regroup, look at the map - and hope your bike starts - it did !
Pulpit Rock Brewing ain't bad . . . I sat outside and got stung my a bee.  My arm is all swelled to shit, and I just got the stinger dug out (after 18 hours) I didn't see it at first - but now it's almost tool late.