Click on a pic to enlarge:

There were 2 different versions of this tray.
66224-52B, for single 12v dry charged battery, uses 6 bolts to mount (all four rear motor mount bolt holes on top of the mount and 2 bolts thru the top of the motor mount to frame).
66224-52C, for single 12v dry charged battery, uses only 4 bolts (all four rear motor mount bolt holes on top of the mount).

57-64 XLH battery trays helped support the oil tank where on later models, the battery tray was supported in large by the oil tank. Click Here for the Oil Tank Lines and Routing page in the Sportsterpedia.
There were 4 different oil tank part number changes from 1957-1964 each of which used the same mounting bracket (47371-52) which accepted the right battery cover tie down support bracket (66420-52).
The left tie rod hooks into the spot welded bracket on the left side of the tray thru a support brace bolted to the tray and secures the left side of the cover.
The right tie rod hooks under the right side of the tray thru a support bracket that bolts to the oil tank bracket (5/16“x24 bolt, lockwasher and hex nut) and secures the right side of the cover.
The cover is bolted to the tie rods with 5/16”x18 wingnuts, washers and lockwashers. The tie rod supports are snugged to the assembly with 5/16“x18 hex nuts.
2 cushion pads (66100-52) are placed 1) under the cover and 2) under the battery for protection.

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The K model 66224-52 and 66224-52A battery carriers use the early battery cover with round holes. The 66224-52B and 66224-52C carriers used the later battery cover with slots.
The slots allow the battery to move about 3/8”. The flanges on the -52B and -52C battery carriers moved the battery location rearward, but the tie rods stayed in the same location.
The slotted cover was needed to allow the battery to shift rearward. ³⁾

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Click on a pic to enlarge:

Below are the OEM parts for 1956-1960:
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Comparing earlier tray versions:
The 1955 K Model tray (66224-52A) looks almost identical to the later -52B version.
But the 1956-1960 tray (66224-52B) has a shorter front neck, more shallow offset at the rear flange and a longer tail section from rear bolt hole to flange. ⁸⁾
This shifts the battery more towards the rear than the -52A tray (carrier).

All three of these trays bolt on the same way, flange to the rear motor mount, 4 bolts to the engine case and use the 1952-1960 rear motor mount (16201-52).
The -52 doesn't have the leg support to the oil tank and uses 2- 66404-52 tie rod assemblies. The -52A and -52B both use 1- 66404-52 and 1- 66404-54 tie rod assembly.
The 52-55 carriers leave the battery in a bit more forward position than the 56-60 carrier.

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Click on a pic to enlarge:

On the 66224-52C battery carrier, the two mounting holes at the rear flange were removed and the flange sits between the rear mount to frame bolts.
The flange location (and battery position) is similar to the -52B.
The -52C tray is pared with either the 1961-E1962 rear motor mount (16201-58) or the L1962-1966 XLH, L1962-1969 XLCH rear motor mount (16201-58A).

You can see the rearward shift from the -52a tray design easier with the mounting ears no longer on the flange.

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1965 marked the first use of a 12v charging system for Sportsters.
The 65-66 battery tray (66223-65), for dual 6v dry charged batteries, uses only (2) 3/8“x18x1-3/16” bolts (rear motor mount area - front 2 bolt holes in top of the mount).
It uses the L1962-1966 XLH, L1962-1969 XLCH rear motor mount (16201-58A). There are two sides and a rear wall making up the tray.
The batteries are heavily padded, pad (66418-65) on each side wall, (66101-65) on the rear wall, (66100-65) under both batteries and (66102-65) between the batteries.

Click on a pic to enlarge:

There were a total of 6 part number changes for these year battery trays but they all bolt up the same.
Tray dimensions (where battery sits) are app. 8“ long x 5 1/8” wide. Maximum battery height is app. 6 1/2“. ¹⁵⁾
67-78 battery trays have (3) mounting holes in the rear wall, welded mount (L) for a rubber mount and a hole in right plate for a rubber mount.
The main visual differences are in the welded right side regulator mounting plate and the front right inside corner of the tray itself.
See the battery tray pics below for more information on specific trays.

The battery tray also doubles as a voltage regulator and starter relay mounting base. Later versions also incorporate different mounting points for the starter relay.
The same 3 hole mount voltage regulator (74510-64) was used from 1967-1977. In 1978, the MoCo installed a 2 hole mount solid state regulator (74504-78).

L1967-E1968 models had a starter relay (71455-67 ) mounted on the two lower holes on the regulator plate. L68-E71 had no starter relay. L71-74 used the -67 relay again.
In 1975, a new style starter relay (71463-73A) was mounted under the front right corner of the battery tray.
There is a squared area added to the inside corner of the tray with 2 mounting studs pointing down for the relay.

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The tray is lifted off the motor resting on a battery carrier support (66480-67) with a hole thru the middle. The hole has a grommet (11422) for cable / hose protection.
The battery cable, solenoid to the starter motor, and the 3/8” ID return oil hose to the tank line runs through the hole. ¹⁹⁾
The battery tray is fastened with a rubber mounting stud (62563-65) to the support bracket.
Another rubber mounting stud is installed behind the regulator and bolted to the oil tank with (3) 5/16“x24x9/16” hex head bolts.
The support bracket is mounted to the engine on the 2 holes in front of the rear motor mount with (2) 3/18“x16x3/4” hex head bolts (4713W) and lockwashers.

Grounding the tray: The tray and oil tank are isolated from the motor and frame by the rubber mount studs.
The 3 terminal, 3 coil XLH regulator is mounted over 3 studs on the battery carrier. ²⁰⁾
The regulator rubber bushes have steel sleeves. The lower 2 regulator bushings have a ground plate that covers the top of the bushes/sleeves.
These ground the regulator to the carrier thru the steel center sleeves.
IT'S ADVISABLE TO VERIFY CONTINUITY WITH A MULTIMETER ESPECIALLY IF USING A NON-STOCK REGULATOR.

Then depending on year carrier, a ground strap / wire that bolts to the hole under the regulator;
Either goes to the rear starter housing bolt or on the rear (frame) side of the lower rear rubber carrier to frame snubber.
The ground can also be bolted to the regulator / relay mounting studs / bolts. See pics below.
The ground strap was either (70165-58) on 67-69 XLH, (70169-70) on 70-78 XLCH, 70-77 XLH or (70183-78) on 1978 XLs.
The routing and connection points of this wire changed between 74 and 75 models. ²¹⁾

The 67-E68 XLH with the factory relay kit (71449-67) got a 2nd ground where the support bracket mounts to the front of the battery tray.
There should be a short ground wire making the jump between both ends of the isolator. ²²⁾

Battery strap (66470-67). Side cover (66379-67). There were 2 top covers with pads underneath to protect it from the terminals (66368-67) black and (66369-67) chrome.

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Rectangular tray with (3) mounting holes in the rear wall, welded mount on left for a rubber mount and welded plate on right for voltage regulator.
The outside edge is cut at the top and bottom with the edge panel pressed back at about 45 degrees.
There are 4 square holes cut into this area for screws plastic expansion nuts used as a terminal plate.
1970-up XLH has a (4 point) terminal strip welded to the frame hiding behind the battery tray / voltage regulator.
1967-1969 XLH does not have that welded terminal strip on the frame.
It is assumed that the terminal strip was built into the battery tray for 67-69 models. The 70-71 battery tray also has the built in terminal strip.

As mentioned above, the E1967 XLH did not come factory with a starter relay. In L1967, the relay was added then deleted again in L1968.
There is also a hole in the right tray flat (under the battery) past midways toward rear presumably for an electrical grounding point for the regulator.
The 1967-1969 battery tray (66205-67) does not have the extra (2) holes on the bottom of the regulator plate to mount the starter relay.
The starter relay required an extra mounting bracket (71613-67) to bolt up.
The 1970-1971 battery tray (66205-67A) does have the extra 2 holes to mount the starter relay without the need for another bracket.
The extra mounting bracket for the relay was deleted since the new holes in the plate were drilled to match the bracket holes in the relay itself.

The 70-71 tray was also sold as a replacement for 1967-1971 XLH models although it can be used on 67-74 models without alterations.

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The -67B battery tray deleted the terminal plate feature on the regulator plate. Other than that, everything on the tray is the same as the -67A version.
This version was sold for parts order for 67-74 XLH models. Pics below with correct starter relay (71455-67).

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This battery tray was for parts order starting in 1975 for use on 67-74 XLH models.
It has the squared corner with two studs hanging down and the two small holes at the bottom of regulator plate.
This allows the use of either the early or late style starter relay without alterations.
The regulator plate is in the same forward position as previous years. The 75 XLH has the plate moved farther toward the left end of the tray.

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The -75 tray has a squared area in the right front inside corner with two studs hanging down for the newer starter relay mount.
In 1979, all previous 67-77 XLH battery trays were obsoleted and this tray was suggested for use as a replacement for 67-77 XLH models.
However, it does NOT have the two lower holes on the regulator plate for the early starter relay and the regulator plate was moved a little farther to the left of the bike.
To compensate for the distance change using the same rubber mount, the metal area for the rubber mount was pressed / molded rearwards the same distance of the plate shift.
There is a round bossed area in the back of the regulator plate reflecting this change.
The grounding hole in the right flat of the tray (under the battery) was also deleted.

The -78 tray doesn't have the pointed top plate but rather a flat top regulator plate with two mounting studs and the indention molded for the rubber mount on the right side.

Click on a pic to enlarge:

1970 marked the first use of a battery on the XLCH using battery tray (66208-70). There was a main circuit breaker between the battery and the ignition/light switch mounted under the battery tray.
Made for battery (Yuasa model# 12n7-4A) 5.31x3x5.25. ⁴¹⁾
On E1973 models, the MoCo deleted the circuit breaker and in L1973 they added a 20 gauge fuse wire for the main circuit. Click Here to read more about the fuse wire in the Sportsterpedia.
Also Click Here to go to the Service Bulletin page of the Sportsterpedia to download TSB# 659.

The XLCH frame also had dramatic changes in L1973.

The tray is fastened with rubber mounting studs (62563-65) with 1/4“x20 hex nuts on the back and 1/4”x20 acorn nuts (7737W) on the front.
Battery strap (66470-70).
Battery cover came in chrome (66369-70) or black (66371-70).
The pad that the battery sits on is (66100-70) and the cover has 2 pads under it (66352-65) to protect it from the terminals.

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1970-1972 tray (66208-70) has a welded bracket on bottom of tray to mount the main circuit breaker. 1973-1978 (66236-73) does not have that bracket.

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From 1979-1981, Sportster battery trays were built into and are a part of the oil tank.
On 79 tanks, all documentation shows an arm on the left inside wall for one end of a battery strap.
However, finding a used tank that has that strap point can be difficult. It wasn't until 1981 that you could buy a replacement primed oil tank for 1979 models.
Else you had to buy a painted oil tank from the dealer. All documentation on painted tanks do show the battery strap on the wall.
But you can still find used tanks that have the strap arm although you may have to shop around online.

1979 Oil Tank and Battery Tray:
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On 1980-1981 oil tanks, there is an extra mounting tab welded to the top inner side of the tank in front of the vent nipple.
An “L” shaped bracket (66279-80) is attached there that is slightly curved on the end with a pad under it as a hold down point for battery.
The battery sits on the tray and bracket (66279-80) bolts to the welded tab. There is also a rubber battery strap as in previous.

1980-1981 Oil Tank and Battery Tray:
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If this bracket is missing, the battery will need to be strapped and possible shimmed from underneath.
You can try and cut some pieces of rubber or wood trim to shim it until you can purchase the bracket or make one.

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Original Bracket for 80-81 Sportsters:
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The 82 battery tray looks identical to the 83-93 tray and bolts up the same as well.
However, the MoCo added a flange on the front side extending below the bottom and welded a 1/2“ steel nipple to it as an oil tank drain plug.
The 82-prior oil tanks have a removeable threaded drain plug to drain the tank.
83-up oil tanks have an extra (1/2”) hose nipple on them to drain the tank instead that gets plugged off by the nipple under the battery tray.
The hose runs across the bike from the tank under the battery tray, bends and terminates on the welded plug.

The tray is bolted to the oil tank with two screws in the back and bolted to the frame from underneath with one rubber mount.

⁵⁸⁾

Click on a pic to enlarge:

The battery tray mounts to the frame from the bracket underneath with (1) rubber mount stud (62563-65).
It mounts to the oil tank with (2) 5/16“ x 24 x 5/8” hex head bolts with 1/16“ thick washers.
The chrome battery strap (66476-73A) hooks to bottom left side of the tray, loops over the cover (66367-73) and bolts to the right side of the tray.
E1982 used a 1/4” locknut to secure the strap to the tray while L82 used a 1/4“ x 20 nut and washer.
There are (2) pads (66352-65) under the cover to protect the terminals.

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Click on a pic to enlarge:

The tray mounts to the frame from the bracket underneath with (1) rubber mount stud (62563-65).
83-90 battery trays mount to the oil tank with (2) 5/16” x 24 x 5/8“ hex head bolts with 1/16” thick washers.
91-93 battery trays mount to the oil tank with (2) 5/16“ x 24 x 3/4” hex head bolts with 1/16“ thick washers.
The chrome battery strap (66476-73A) hooks to bottom left side of the tray, loops over the cover and bolts to the right side of the tray using a 1/4” x 20 nut and washer.

1982-1985 XL, XLS had a chrome battery cover (66367-73).
1983-1985 XLX had a black battery cover (66359-80).
1986-1993 XL883 had a black battery cover (66359-80).
1986-1987 XL1100 had a chrome battery cover (66367-73).
1988-1993 XL1200 had a chrome battery cover (66367-73).
There are (2) pads (66352-65) under the cover to protect the terminals.

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