Harley K Model (original) (raw)
Welcome to Harley K Model, dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the 1952 to 1956 Harley-Davidson flathead unit‑construction motorcycles, With the alphabet soup of model designations, these bikes are affectionately known as the “K models”.
We also cover the early Sportster models through 1969, as these are essentially K Models with overhead valves. The Ks and early Sportsters share many components and service procedures. And many enthusiasts own both models.
The OSKRG (Old Sportster and K Model Research Group) is a group of individuals who enjoy preserving the history of these motorcycles, so others can restore them correctly, and keep them alive and running.
N.O.S. - New Old Stuff
2025
February
Starter Crank Arms - NEW
2024
January
Technical - Spokes, Nipples, Hubs - UPDATED
Technical : Spokes, Nipples, Hubs
Gallery: Dallin McLeod's 1952 K
Gallery : 1952-1953 : Dallin's 1952 K
2023
July
Competition - NEW - Totally Revamped and Cell Phone Friendly
Competition - NEW - Factory Brochures - thank you “Rubone”
Competition - NEW - Specifications and Instructions - thank you “Rubone”
Competition : Specifications & Instructions
March
Technical - Nameplates and Transfers
Technical : Nameplates & Transfers
Technical - Nameplates and Transfers : Patent Decals
Technical : N & E: Patent Decals
The Craigslist Search has retired
January
Gallery - A Trip To France - Pierre Martel's 1967 XLCH
Gallery : 1966-1969 : Pierre's 1967 XLCH
2022
December
Technical - Battery Carriers - NEW - OSKRG Research Bulletin #16
September
Technical - Clutch - NEW - OSKRG Research Bulletin #15
Technical - Spokes, Nipples, Hubs - NEW - OSKRG Research Bulletin #14
Technical : Spokes, Nipples, Hubs
July
Technical - Finishes - Inlet Pipes - NEW
Technical : Finishes : Inlet Pipes
June
Technical - Inlet Pipes - NEW
Technical - Finishes - Carburator and Parts - updated
Technical : Finishes : Carburator and Parts
April
Technical - Finishes - Gas Tank Group - updated
Technical : Finishes : Gas Tank Group
Technical - Finishes - Comprehensive review process started
Technical : Finishes : 1952-1956
Literature - 1963 Harley Pamphlet photos
Literature - 1962 Harley ad - engine
January
Minor fixes on Model 52 Generator and 1952-1956 Finishes pages
Thanks, Perry!
2021
October
Technical - Transmission Gears and Shafts - VERSION 19!
Technical : Transmission Gears
Gallery - Patrick Cristofaro's 1959 XLH
Gallery : 1957-1959 : Patrick's 1959 XLH
July
Technical - Rear Motor Mount UPDATED
June
Technical - Transmission Gears and Shafts - VERSION 18!
Technical : Transmission Gears
May
Exhaust - Part 1 K-Models - UPDATED!
April
1957 XL Another Factory Photo
Gallery - More prototype photos - thanks Mostly Ironheads!
March
Gallery - Prototype Model K in the new Prototypes section
Gallery - Dave Hennessey's 1970 XLCH and 70-71 Dual Seat
Gallery : 1970-1979 : 1970 XLCH
Literature - 1960 Hot Rod Magazine XLCH Road Test
Literature & Technical - 1953 Standard Solo
Literature : 1953
Technical: Finishes : 1953 Standard Solo
February
Gallery - Gary Myers' Beautiful 1956 KHK
Gallery : 1954-1956 : 1956 KHK
2020
November
Technical - Transmission Gears and Shafts - UPDATED YET AGAIN!
Technical : Transmission Gears
June
Technical - Wiring - 1968-1969 XLH
Technical : Wiring : 1968-1969 XLH
April
Technical - Transmission Gears and Shafts - UPDATED YET AGAIN!
Technical : Transmission Gears
Technical - Brakes - UPDATED
Technical - How-To Replace a Neck Casting
March
Technical - Wiring - Colorized Wiring Diagram
Technical : Wiring : 1952-1958
Technical - How-To Replace Rear Downtubes
Technical - Transmission Gears and Shafts - UPDATED AGAIN!
Technical : Transmission Gears
Instructions for Rear Chain Oiler Kit #63589-53
Literature : Instructions : 63589-53
February
Gallery - OSKRG-West, Davenport 2019
Gallery : OSKRG : 2019 Davenport
Technical - Safety Guards
Gallery - OSKRG-North, St. Paul 2018
Gallery : OSKRG : 2018 St. Paul
Literature - Directional Signals - Fiberglass Seat
January
Technical - Transmission Gears and Shafts - UPDATED
Technical : Transmission Gears
Technical - Transmission Gears and Shafts
Technical : Transmission Gears
2019
October
Technical - Frames - Updated
Literature - Parts Catalogs - Fixed download problem
Literature : Spare Parts Catalogs
Technical - Air Cleaner Cover - minor update
April
Technical - Frames - Updated
March
Technical - Generators - Model 52K - updated
Technical : Generators : Model 52K
Technical - Generators - Model 52 - not used on Ks
Technical : Generators : Model 52
February
Literature - Service Manuals - Added Section Dividers
Literature - Shop Dope - Added #403, 404, 414
Technical - Stop Light Switches
Technical : Stoplight Switches
Literature - Shop Dope - Added #415, 490, 491
Literature - Shop Dope #455 and 458 Updated (missing pages found)
Literature - Service Manuals - Totally Revised
January
Literature - 4 More New Instructions
Literature - 19 New Shop Dope Service Bulletins
Literature - 4 New Instructions
2018
December
Domain names OSKRG.COM and OSKRG.ORG are now operational
Literature - 3 New Shop Dope Service Bulletins
Literature - 4 New Instructions
November
Literature - 28 New Shop Dope Service Bulletins
Technical - Ignition and Light Switches - UPDATED
Technical : Ignition & Light Switches
Technical - Transmission Sprocket Cover - UPDATED
Technical : Transmission Cover
September
Technical - Oil Tanks - All About Lunch Boxes
Literature - H-D Shop Dope - K and KH Fitting Specifications
Numbers 328, 332, 337, 346, 346A, and 347
Literature - H-D Shop Dope - 1955 KH Transmission w/ Access Cover
Number 349
Literature - H-D Shop Dope - Shocks, Valves, Piston Fitting, Batteries
Numbers 362, 366, 368, 374, and 377
Literature - 1956 KH/KHK Pamphlet - The Other Side - Finally!
August
Literature - 1953 News Bulletin - WOW!
Literature : Factory-To-Dealer
Literature - H-D Shop Dope / Service Bulletins about Transmissions
Numbers 345, 356, 363, 376, 471
Literature - H-D Shop Dope / Service Bulletins about Carburators
Numbers 389, 518, 547, 564, 571, 605
Literature : Shop Dope
Technical : Carbs : Model HD
Technical : Carbs : Model DC
Literature - H-D Shop Dope / Service Bulletins about Other Stuff
Numbers 494, 546, 608
Technical - DC Carb Support Brackets - XLH and XLCH
Technical - Shock Absorbers - 1952-1955 - Update
Technical : Shock Absorber : 1952-1955
July
Gallery - OSKRG-North - AMCA meet in St. Paul
Gallery : OSKRG : 2018 St. Paul
Gallery - Barnsters - 1953 K - Warren & Shawn McQuiggan
Gallery : Barnsters : McQuiggan
Gallery - 1957-1959 Sportsters - 1957 XL - Chad Zaemisch
Gallery : 1957-1959 : Chad Zaemisch
May
Technical - Generators - minor corrections on gear teeth
Literature - 1954 Cuts and Mats
Literature : Cut and Mat Books : 1954
Gallery - OSKRG-East, AMCA meet in Oley PA
April
Technical - UPDATE - Trapdoor on 1955 KH
Gallery - Murph's Dual-DC 1959 XLCH
Gallery : 1957-1959 : 1959 XLCH
Technical - Shifting Foot Levers
Technical : Shifting Shaft and Foot Lever
Technical - Shop Dope - Trapdoor on 1955 KH
Technical - Late-1968 Tillotson Changes - Service Bulletin 571
March
Technical - Horns - update on 69145-54 Spacer
February
Literature - 1961 Cuts and Mats
Literature : Cut and Mat Books
Technical - Numbers updated with frame security codes
January
Technical - Starter Crank - Sportsters
Technical - Motor Mounting
Technical - Valves and Tappets
Technical : Valves and Tappets
Technical - Gas Tanks (only XLCH for now)
Technical - Saddlebags - 1966 Instructions
Technical - Starter Crank - K and KH
Literature - The Elusive 1970 Parts Catalog cover
Literature : Spare Parts Catalogs
2017
December
Technical - Rear Wheel
Technical : Rear Wheel and Brake
1958 Harley Brochure
1958 Ad - Jack Pine Trophy
November
1964 XLH - Pohlman Photo
Technical : Speedometers Updated! - now includes through 1969
1977 Parts Catalog Supplement Cover
Literature : Spare Parts Catalogs
1974 Parts Catalog Supplement Cover
Literature : Spare Parts Catalogs
Technical : Shock Absorber
October
GaryM2's Gorgeous 1957 XL
Lamps - added specs for 71090-59
September
Dave Larkin's Beautiful 1955 KH
Stan Diener's “New Look” for His 1953 KK
Roger Meinke's Original 1956 KHK
August
1964 Option Price Changes
July
1967 Sportster Brochure
1966 Sportster Brochure
1959 Sportster H Ad
June
1953 Royalite Ad
1953 Magazine P Ad
1960 Dealer Ad
Air Cleaner Cover - Technical Article - Update
OSKRG-East - Oley 2017
1965 Magazine Ad - Sportsters
1969 Magazine Ad - Outperformers
1968 Magazine Ad - Bonneville
Richard Spagnolli's 1970 XLH
Dr. Dick's Original 1960 XLCH
Magneto Sportster's Original 1958 XLH
1965 Harley Sportster Brochure
9 to 1 Compression – 1958 Magazine P Ad
Manu Nalin's Beautiful 1966 XLCH
May
1952 Rare B&W K-model Brochure - Kerry Brethorst
1968 Cycle Magazine Cover
1969 Cycle Magazine Cover
State-by-State - Historic and YOM License Plates
Technical : How-To : License Plates
April
1957 - Motor drawing - from a dealer brochure
1958 - Win a Real Live Baby Donkey
1958 XLCH
1959 Dealer Brochure
1961 Dealer Brochure
1963 Dealer All-Line Brochure (CH & H)
March
Condensors - that elusive Horn Condensor
How To Make a Wedding Band
February
Headlamp technical - now includes 1952-1958 Body and 1952-1958 Lamp
Air Cleaner Cover - Technical Article
January
Gallery - Update on Erik Hoopes' Barnster
Exhaust - Part 1 - OSKRG Technical Bulletin
Factory Photos - Frame Assembly & Many More
Headlamp - technical article (only XLCH eyebrows for now)
Gallery - Murph's 1962 XLCH - additional photos
2016
Nov & Dec
Craigslist Search - Major, Major Efficiency Improvements
October
Brakes - Technical Article
September
OSKRG - 2016 Davenport Swap Meet
Craigslist Search - Big Improvements
August
Finally found the December 1952 Enthusiast
July
Speedometers - updated illustration of rubber mounting
More Stan Diener 1954 KH Photos
More 1952, 1954, and 1957 Factory Photos
All Factory Photos now moved to the proper year sections
Technical : Colors
Literature : 1952, 1954 and 1957
1957 Spring Special Color Unearthed
Nugget Gold
Technical : Colors
Literature : Factory-To-Dealer
Transmission Covers - Jerry Raino Research
Technical : Transmission Cover
June
K-Model Finishes Compendium - Round 1 Finished
Finally! The 1967 Parts Catalog - now Available for download
Literature : Spare Parts Catalogs
1954 KH Dairyland Insurance Poster
1962 Parts Catalog Supplement - now Available for download
Literature : Spare Parts Catalogs
1966 Parts Catalog Supplement - now Available for download
Literature : Spare Parts Catalogs
1968 Parts Catalog Supplement - now Available for download
Literature : Spare Parts Catalogs
1969 Parts Catalog Supplement - now Available for download
Literature : Spare Parts Catalogs
1954 KH Brochure
More 1953 KK Literature from Stan Diener
Stan Diener's 1953 KK
Kerry Brethorst's 1954 KHRTT
May
Yes, they did exist! A 1953 KK ad
1959 Spring Special Color Unearthed
Hi-Fi Coral
Technical : Colors
Literature : Factory-To-Dealer
1954 Spring Special Colors Unearthed
“An ensemble of Ivory, Black and Chrome”
Technical : Colors
Literature : Factory-To-Dealer
Bill Coleman's Original 1953 KK
Technical: Circuit Breakers (updated)
1959 Dealer Package (from Dr. Dick)
Stan Diener's 1954 KH
K Finishes - 70% done - 42 down, 18 to go
Technical : Finishes : 1952-1956
April
OSKRG-East - at Oley 2016
How To - Parkerize Parts
Technical : How To : Parkerize
How To - Get A Title
March
Roger Meinke's Factory-to-Dealer Docs
Roger Meinke's 1959 XLCH Magazine Ads
February
Wheels and Tires
Finishes - Phase II
1952 K Factory Advertisement
Revised: Shipping Date Guess-O-Meter
Tech : Numbers : Guess-O-Meter
January
Spare Parts Catalogs On-Line - 1961 Supplement
Literature : Spare Parts Catalogs
Wiring Diagrams
Crankcase Tech Article
Brian Kane's 1967 XLCH
Spare Parts Catalogs On-Line - 1964 Supplement
Literature : Spare Parts Catalogs
Spare Parts Catalogs On-Line - 1965 Full Catalog
Literature : Spare Parts Catalogs
Spare Parts Catalogs On-Line - 1960 Supplement
Literature : Spare Parts Catalogs
2015
December
Shipping Date Guess-O-Meter
Tech : Numbers : Guess-O-Meter
Anonymous's 1954 KHK - The Last 1954 Made?
KHs Escort Haile Selassie in 1954
Two More Enthusiasts Found
Spare Parts Catalogs On-Line - 1953
Literature : Spare Parts Catalogs
November
Three More ex-Mike Quinn KH-es
ex-Mike Quinn 1953 KRTT
ex-Mike Quinn 1953 KRM
ex-Mike Quinn 1952 K
1953 Harley Brochure
Literature : 1953 Harley Brochure
Oil Tanks
More Paint Colors Found!
Magneto Sportster's 1959 XLCH
Magneto Sportster's 1966 XLCH
Spare Parts Catalogs On-Line - 1963
Literature : Spare Parts Catalogs
October
1953 - Four More Colors Found
Rob White's 1968 XLH
Spare Parts Catalogs On-Line - 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1959
Literature : Spare Parts Catalogs
September
The OSKRG Luncheon at Davenport 2015
John Hewson's 1953 K
1953 KRM Barnster
Dennis Schoenfeldt's 1961 KR
August
Literature - 1968 Sportster Ad
July
Literature - 1959 XLCH - Hot Rod magazine
Gallery - Mike Walker's 1956 KH Survivor/Barnster
Literature - 1956 KHK, 1952 Popular Mechanics
Technical - Battery and Fittings
Gallery - Doug Feinsod's 1952 K Barnster
Gallery - Dave Swanson's 1956 KHK
Literature - Pohlman Prints
June
Gallery - Dave Carlton's 1968 XLCH
The Production Figures Return!
Added 1975 Parts Cover, updated 1972 Parts Cover
May
Technical - Regulators - Added 2 Delco-Remy Docs and 2 Shop Dopes
February
Literature - Parts Catalogs Updated
Technical - Frames Updated
Technical Frames
Technical - Carburators - Updated
Technical - Added Colors Section
January
Literature - Enthusiast - added 5 covers
Gallery - Dave Carlton's 1961 XLCH
Technical - added wiring diagrams to several models
Gallery - Dave Carlton's 1967 XLCH
2014
November
Technical - Updated DC Carburator Document
Gallery - More photos of Michael Broad's 1955 KH
Gallery - More photos of Model-H's 1958 XLH
Literature - Mike Broad's great 1955 KH Brochure
Gallery - added Hans Postema's 1956 KH
Gallery - added Don Chasteen's Black 1957 XL (partial)
Gallery - added Don Chasteen's Blue 1957 XL (partial)
Technical - added Magnetos
Technical - added Horns
October
Literature - added 1957 Cuts and Mats Book
Literature - added Parts Cats, Service Mans, Enthusiasts
September
Technical - Wet Clutch Assembly
Gallery - OSKRG Luncheon at Davenport
Gallery - Gene Payne's 1961 XLR and 1970 XLR-900
Gallery - Jack Raino's 1957 XL, Tom Auerback's 1969 XLCH
Gallery - Dave Carlton's 1966 XLCH and 1969 XLCH
August
Gallery - Murph's 1953 K and 1962 XLCH
Technical: Numbers - K/KH - The Letter D
Gallery: Doc's 1959 XLCH Photos
July
Gallery: 1954 KH Barnster Photos
Technical: Serial and Other Numbers
June
Gallery: Michael Broad's 1955 KH
Gallery: Barnster® Photos
Gallery: Tom White's KRM
Technical: Regulator Info
May
Gallery: Glenn Bator's Beautiful 1952 K
Story: Erik Hoopes and Joe Leonard Go Couch-Racing
Photos of Ks and early XLs seen at the Oley Swap Meet
April
Updated Frame Chart from Jerry Raino
March 15
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