K-Models & Sportster 1952-1978

Mechanically operated foot brake on K model and Sportster.

What works well on the 45” Flathead can't be wrong on the successor model. Because of the new frame and footpegs, the foot brake controls on the K models naturally differ from their predecessors. And after 38 years of brake pedals operated with the right foot, the brake pedal was moved to the left side in 1952 following English style. Since the brake drum itself was still on the right, the pedal sat on a shaft that went through the bike from left to right and transmitted power to the drum on the right side. The parts for the right side of the bike can be found here: Rear Mechanical Drum Brakes for K-Models and Sportsters.

As a result of a 1975 US federal law, the brake pedal was moved to the right and the shift pedal to the left again on Harleys and throughout the motorcycle world ever since. The English-Italian confusion (shift left or right? first gear up or down?) in the controls was increasingly confusing for riders.