Bringing the 65 FLH back to Life

[55tmm]

You might want to rotate those fork caps before you get it all together. Looking good

[panz4ever]

When I bought the bike it had been repainted this color. Gas tanks were a combo of this purple with silver striping. First thing I did was rattle can black fenders and tanks. Stayed that way for 30 years.



Fenders taken down to metal. Front had one dent in it..



Tail light housing



Licens plate holder



Front fender emblems that I added sometime in the 70s or 80s? Bike did not have them. Holes were in the front fenders but no emblems. I haven't a clue what the numbers on the back mean. If someone does know please chime in. It is one more non-65 part. It is my understanding that the "circle R" script at the edge of the "e" was not used on 65 models. That said even after all these years they cleaned up nicely.



The lower front fender trim....a non-stock piece I added in the 70s because I liked the way it looked. Has the "FOX' markings etched in it (My gas tank emblems have the same etching)



The markings on the rear fender tip. Heck I thought "ACME" products were strictly a Coyote-Roadrunnder thing. Sherms also chromes pot metal (only place around me that does it). They also got my turn signal light housings as well.



The original front fender tip I lost on a road trip to Vegas in the mid 90s. Popped of coming out of Bakersfield on HWY 58. Never went back to retrieve it (should have). The aftermarket fits but not like the original.

[panz4ever]

Front fender with trim pieces and front bumper. The stainless side trim pieces are original and cleaned up nicely with 2000 grit sand paper and Mothers polish



Front fender tip

[joe fxs fxr]

looks great!

[T. Cotten]

I'm surprised, Panz4ever,...

You didn't file the © off of the ElectraGlide emblems.

(I always did.)

....Cotten

[BigLakeBob]

Good thread, great pictures and detail, keep it coming.

[panz4ever]

I'm surprised, Panz4ever,...

You didn't file the © off of the ElectraGlide emblems.

(I always did.)

....Cotten

Seriously considered it. But the bike will never be judged so I left them as they were.

[T. Cotten]

Seriously considered it. But the bike will never be judged so I left them as they were.

Judging was the farthest thing from my mind at the time, Panz4ever!

I just wanted all of mine to match.

(Buffed the spot, and put clear nail polish on it.)

....Cotten

[panz4ever]

I assembled the fender rails, luggage rack frame and saddle bag support brackets as a single unit to each side since it was just me working on the bike. Seemed like the easiet wayt to ensure I wouldn' screw up paint, cad or chrome. Once I got each side on, I installed the 3-pice rails and tightened everything. Worked out well



Lookout lens





1965-1969 plastice RH-55 tail lamp lens



Rear turn signal parts





before rechroming



Finished assembly



Not sure what everyone uses and/or recommends regarding cleaning and polishing the plastic lenses. I have had very good results withe Novus Plastic Clean and Shine. Not affiliated in anyway withe the company. Just though that considering the age of the plastic lenses and the hard use and neglect over the life of the bike, Novus worked very well for me.

[panz4ever]

I'd been running Shovel style rear shocks ever since my right rear developed an oil leak. When I started thinking about this rebuild I set out to try and find someone who could rebuild the sealed unit. Having failed in that venture I spent the next couple of years looking for original ones that did not leak. Found a pair at Dixon AMCA swap meet (so now I have one spare).



The Easyrider Tech Tip Disassmebly Tool



One part now becomes many & out for chrome and cad plating





Ready for reassembly & going back together



Back on the bike

[Chips Place]

Looks like I will be following in your foot steps.
I have a '65 as well and just got the powder coat burned off of it, had it blasted, then had the frame checked for alignment.
Now comes the time to start putting things back together, which will take some time.
I have found it take more research time than wrench time.

[KNUCK]

Some day we should organize and 1965 only run somewhere. My original paint 9,000+ mile ride.

[KNUCK]

Original miles on the clock.

[jim wagnon]

I wonder what became of this project? Nothing since early last year.

A ride for ‘65 owners, I’m in! :-)

Jim