FastCounter by bCentral

    The cams used in the later 4-cam side-valve motors, such as the 1937-48 U-Series (U, UL, UH, ULH, UMG, UA, etc.), and 45 1937-73 (G, W, WL, WLA, WLC, WLD, etc.) are similar in appearance to each other, and to both older (1932-36) side-valve and newer (1952-*) K & Sportster cams. Here are some comments and data to assist in identifying cams. Please note that, in additional to other factors, all 1937-48 U-Series & 1930-36 V-Series cams have 1 gear with 32 teeth; all 1937-73 45 W-Series & 1932-36 R-Series cams have 1 gear with 28 teeth.

U-Series Cams 1937-48

Cam Nº

Cylinder

Valve

Gear Row 1

Gear Row 2

Lobe

Notes: Outboard journal end

Pinion

NA

NA

20

NA

6 flutes; asymmetrical

Return pump drive

10

left-hand spiral, with timing mark

Generator idler

42

1930-48 all BT SV

Generator drive

14

oil slinger

1

Rear

Exhaust

32

.375”

2 tangs for oil pump drive

2

Intake

40

spiral gear for ignition drive

3

Front

Intake

plain

4

Exhaust

42

plain

V-Series Cams 1930-36

Cam Nº

Cylinder

Valve

Gear Row 1

Gear Row 2

Lobe

Notes: Outboard journal end

Pinion

NA

NA

20

NA

keyway

Generator idler

42

1930-48 all BT SV

Generator drive

14

plain

1

Rear

Exhaust

32

V, VC:
.344” VL, VLD:
.375”

ignition drive, very long shaft

2

Intake

40

plain

3

Intake

plain

4

Front

Exhaust

42

1930-33: 1.06” shaft with oil pump spiral drive

1934-36: .89” shaft with oil pump spiral drive

Common U-Series Cam ID Errors

Appears to be U-Series (32 teeth); but:

Actual ID

Small (.610”) journals

1930-36 VL

28 tooth gear

1932-73 45; K; 1957-69 Sportster

Pinion gear 4 spline

1937-* 45; K; Sportster

Pinion gear 21 teeth

1936-53 OHV

Return pump drive right hand spiral

1936-53 OHV

Generator idler 51 teeth

OHV

Idler 42 teeth with spiral ignition drive

1936-69 OHV

45 Cams 1937-73

Cam Nº

Cylinder

Valve

Gear Row 1

Gear Row 2

NA

Notes: Outboard journal end

Pinion

N/A

N/A

1

18

4 flutes; asymmetrical

Return pump drive

1

10

left-hand spiral

Generator idler

1

46

1932-73 all 45 SV

Generator drive

1

14

oil slinger

1

Rear

Exhaust

1

28

.312”

2 tangs for oil pump drive

2

Intake

2 + spiral

28 & 36

spiral gear for ignition drive

3

Front

Intake

1

28

plain

4

Exhaust

2

28 & 36

plain

WR Cams 1941-52

Cam Nº

Cylinder

Valve

Gear Row 1

Gear Row 2

Lobe

Notes: Outboard journal end

Pinion

N/A

N/A

1

18

NA

4 flutes; asymmetrical

Return pump drive

1

10

left-hand spiral

Magneto idler

1

36

front-mount

Magneto drive

1

36

front-mount

1

Rear

Exhaust

1

28

.344”
sharp pointInboard
journal: 3/8”

2

Intake

2 + spiral

28 & 36

1941-47: plain
1948-52: spiral gear for ignition drive

3

Front

Intake

1

28

plain 3/8” diameter

4

Exhaust

2

28 & 36

plain 3/8” diameter

K & KH Cams 1952-56

Cam Nº

Cylinder

Valve

Gear Row 1

Gear Row 2

Lobe

Notes: Outboard journal end

Pinion

N/A

N/A

1

18

NA

4 flutes; asymmetrical

Oil pump drive

1

10

left-hand spiral

Generator idler

1

46

1

Rear

Exhaust

1

28

1952-56 K, KH:
.344” pointed 1953-56 KK, KHK:
.375” “figure 8”

2

Intake

2 + spiral

28 & 36

spiral gear for ignition drive

3

Front

Intake

1

28

plain

4

Exhaust

2

28 & 36

plain

XL Cams 1957-69

Cam Nº

Cylinder

Valve

Gear Row 1

Gear Row 2

Lobe

Notes: Outboard journal end

Pinion

N/A

N/A

1

18

NA

4 flutes; asymmetrical

Oil pump drive

1

10

left-hand spiral

Generator idler

1

46

1

Rear

Exhaust

1

28

.267” round, broad

2

Intake

2 + spiral

28 & 36

spiral gear for ignition drive

3

Front

Intake

1

28

plain

4

Exhaust

2

28 & 36

plain

45 R-Series Cams 1932-36

Cam Nº

Cylinder

Valve

Gear Row 1

Gear Row 2

Notes: Outboard journal end

Pinion

N/A

N/A

1

18

NA

Keyway

Generator idler

1

46

1932-73 all 45 SV

Generator drive

1

14

plain

1

Rear

Exhaust

1

28

.312”

ignition drive, very long shaft

2

Intake

2

28 & 36

plain

3

Front

Intake

1

28

plain

4

Exhaust

2

28 & 36

1932-33: 1.06” shaft with oil pump spiral drive

1934-36: .89” shaft with oil pump spiral drive

Common 45 Cam ID Errors

Appears to be 45 (28 teeth); but:

Actual ID

Small (.610”) journals

1932-36 RL

Small (.610”) journals + 32 tooth gear

1930-36 VL

Lobes pointed; .344” height; very small (.375”) journals

1941-52 WR

Lobes beveled; .344” height

1952-56 K; KH

Lobes beveled, concave flanks; .375” height

1953-56 KK; KHK

Lobes beveled, concave flanks; .375+” height; very small (.375”) journals

1953-69 KR

Lobe height .267” (+/-)

1957-69 Sportster

Lobe height .267” (+/-); very small (.375”) journals

1957-* XLR

32 tooth gear

1937-48 UL

No ignition spiral on #2 cam

1941-47 WR; KR; 1970-* Sportster

Pinion gear 6 spline

1937-48 UL

Return pump drive 6 spline

1937-48 UL

Generator idler 51 teeth

1936-69 OHV

"Harley-Davidson" name for reference purposes only. Not affiliated with Harley-Davidson Motor Co.

I'm trying to locate some people I used to know; please click here for more details. Thanks!