64' HD oil bag

[scoot]

I am in the process of restoring a 1964 DuoGlide and am finding conflicting pictures and reports regarding what the finish on my oil bag is suppose to be. Currently it is chrome, but I am told it is suppose to be piano black like the frame. I also read it is suppose to be parkerized, but have found several pics of other duo glides that have a chrome bag like mine. Also, what is the difference between parkerized and piano black?
Thanks for any input.

[Chris Haynes]

I am in the process of restoring a 1964 DuoGlide and am finding conflicting pictures and reports regarding what the finish on my oil bag is suppose to be. Currently it is chrome, but I am told it is suppose to be piano black like the frame. I also read it is suppose to be parkerized, but have found several pics of other duo glides that have a chrome bag like mine. Also, what is the difference between parkerized and piano black?
Thanks for any input.

They were all parkerized, under the black paint.
The 1964 Factory Order Blank lists the chrome oil tank as part of Chrome Finish Group #F-1. In the options is part number 62495-64 Chrome Oil Tank (in place of Standard) Standard being painted black.
Note that in 1963 that the chrome oil tank was also listed as part of the Chrome Finish Group #F-1. It was also listed as an option under part #62499-63.
What is the difference between the -63 and -64 part number? You got me.

[INLINE4NUT]

Im not quite sure I agree with all oil tanks being parkerized before being painted,what would be the point ??? Parkerizing was used instead of chrome plating came into play I do believe I have seen the base that the oil tank sits on parkerized but this is the 1st I hear of the tanks getting the treatment where did you get your info ? I would like to know the scource !

[scoot]

Here is my current oil tank. Is there a way to know if this is original or reproduction? I am not a fan of chrome and would prefer a black tank. I am painting my frame already and would like to do the tank at the same time, would you recommend any reproduction ones?

[Chris Haynes]

I try real hard not to think or guess what might have been. Instead I do my homework to find out what is right and what is not. Harley-Davidson Parkerized or Bonderized all of their sheet metal in the '40's/'50's and many other parts long before that. Even frames were Parkerized before they were painted. Somewhere I have a Harley-Davidson flyer where they are telling all about it. It is a simple thing to look at an NOS tank and look inside. I have NOS 1941-1946 gas tanks. Notice how the Parkerizing can clearly be seen inside and on areas that are not primed.

[Chris Haynes]

Here is my current oil tank. Is there a way to know if this is original or reproduction? I am not a fan of chrome and would prefer a black tank. I am painting my frame already and would like to do the tank at the same time, would you recommend any reproduction ones?

Before you decide what to do with your oil tank you need to find out if it was an optional ordered piece or if it was part of the Chrome Finish Group. Here is the contents of the Chrome Finish group.

[Chris Haynes]

Here is my current oil tank. Is there a way to know if this is original or reproduction? I am not a fan of chrome and would prefer a black tank. I am painting my frame already and would like to do the tank at the same time, would you recommend any reproduction ones?

Your tank appears to be original.

[vph-d]

At one time I had a set of NOS painted early Panhead tanks which were clearly parkerized inside and up onto the filler neck. This past weekend I examined a really nice set of 37 or 38 tanks which still showed evidence of parkerization.
The oil tank looks stock to me, too. The steering damper knob makes me think of handling problems on a Dou-Glide, even if equipped with the adjustable fork.
VPH-D

[Chris Haynes]

Actually the entire tank is Parkerized prior to primer/paint. You are just seeing the parkerizing on the filler neck above where the paint stops.

[INLINE4NUT]

Again what is the basis of your claim?? Im sorry but that does not look like parkerizing to me !

[Chris Haynes]

Again what is the basis of your claim?? Im sorry but that does not look like parkerizing to me !

.
I don't care what it looks like to you. It is Parkerized. If the photo isn't good enough for you come on over and look at it with your own eyes. The basis of my claim is my eyes looking at them.
Anybody who has ever had NOS Knuck, Pan tanks in their hands can tell you they are Parkerized.
I have been working on Harley-Davidson's since 1961. Hundreds of them have passed through my hands. I have bought and sold literally tons of New Old Stock parts. I have lots of hands on experience with them. And it is obvious that you do not. So instead of being a Doubting Thomas why don't you get off your butt and do a little research? I know why, because it is easier for you to sit at you keyboard and question the experience of someone who has been doing this for a lifetime.

[bmh]

My 51 intro catalog lists under Frame.." Parkerized to resist rust." and then under Finish " All surfaces to be painted are treated to resist rust and corrosion". I take this to mean parts were parkerized before paint as Chris stated. I have also seen the term " bonderized" used , but as yet have been able to find out nothing about that process. If any one knows what that was I'd like to cross that mystery off my list.

[Chris Haynes]

My 51 intro catalog lists under Frame.." Parkerized to resist rust." and then under Finish " All surfaces to be painted are treated to resist rust and corrosion". I take this to mean parts were parkerized before paint as Chris stated. I have also seen the term " bonderized" used , but as yet have been able to find out nothing about that process. If any one knows what that was I'd like to cross that mystery off my list.

Brian,
Bonderizing is a different process of Parkerizing. Instead of being immersed in the solution it is sprayed on the parts while they are on a conveyer belt and then run thru a heater.


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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
bond·er·ize Audio Help /ˈbɒndəˌraɪz/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[bon-duh-rahyz] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–verb (used with object), -ized, -iz·ing. to coat (steel) with an anticorrosive phosphate solution, usually in preparation for the application of paint, enamel, or lacquer.

Also, especially British, bond·er·ise.


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[Origin: 1935–40; back formation from Bonderized, a trademark, prob. equiv. to bond1 + -er1 + -ize + -ed2]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006

[bmh]

Thanks much Chris, one other question on this matter that you may help clear up. I too always thought that gas tanks and fenders were parkerized before paint because of the reasons already mentioned untill a year or two ago when Steve Barber pointed out to me at the judging at Oley that on original paint footshift models, where the clutch cable rubs the front of the tank you can see three layers of coatings. The color coat on top of course, a black layer directly underneath( always thought to be parkerizing), and the red-brown primer under that, over the bare metal. Was that bonderizing? If not, how did they get the primer under it all? As you already mentioned the insides of good clean tanks are obviously parkerized. Have seen this on more than one machine so it was not a fluke or someones old resto work. Any ideas?

[Rubone]

Brian
Years ago when I wrenched in a dealership I observed several odd things as far as finish. It was not too unusual to see an original paint machine that had a different color coat under the final color on tanks or fenders. The way I understood it at the time was that if a paint job was flawed it went back through the paint shop for repaint. The final color was what they were painting that particular day and not the first color used. I did all the wreck repair and warranty work as well as most new bike set-up so saw lots of sheetmetal. It was common to discover lead repairs on new tanks when the paint was knocked off as well as a different color under the final color. This was on NEW production bikes. Also, The replacement tanks sold in primer often were primer over another colorcoat. The Motor Co. was not into wasting anything. I dont know how long this practice was used but I am sure it was standard practice in the late '60s and '70s. It makes it hard for someone trying to restore a machine with original paint and another color is discovered underneath!
Robbie