1965 Pan Questions

[gmarakas]

Hi All...

I have to weigh in on Chris' side of the fence on this one. The ribbed cover, while widely accepted and seen on 1965 Pans, did not come out until late 65. That said, the judges will likely accept this cover because it can be classified as an accessory and, therefore, not judgeable. That doesn't make it correct, just acceptable to have or have not.

I read the thread from a ways back about the member who was dinged for not having the cover or the M/C cover. This is simply an incorrect call by the judge. Fortunately, 1/4 point does not make or break a machine.

It is possible to get a deduction for not having a kick spring cover if the bike is outfitted with the King of the Highway package. This cover was part of the option and, while an accessory per se, I always make a note, at least, to let the owner know of the omission.

Stay upright.

[INLINE4NUT]

Chris thats funny mine cover camre rapped in a paperbag material sealed from the factory with a sticky HD orange and white paper !

[Chris Haynes]

Chris,
I noticed when I took my ribbed cover off and just had the top cover on the battery, there was about 1/8" clearance on each side at the cover and also at the battery box. I measured another big battery I had and it was the same size as this one. Do you think the orginal batteries were slightly larger at the top and bottom. In the picture it kind of looks like the center area where the logo is might be slightly smaller.

That is just the way the top covers were made.

[Underdoggie]

1965 had a cover on top of the battery but no cover on the sides. Just a big black battery hangin' out. The -65 part number battery cover did not appear untill the fall of 1965 and the 1966 models were in production then. Motorcycle Goodies made a smooth aftermarket chrome cover that was used on a lot of 1965 models.

Chris,
I noticed when I took my ribbed cover off and just had the top cover on the battery, there was about 1/8" clearance on each side at the cover and also at the battery box. I measured another big battery I had and it was the same size as this one. Do you think the orginal batteries were slightly larger at the top and bottom. In the picture it kind of looks like the center area where the logo is might be slightly smaller.

[Chris Haynes]

1965 had a cover on top of the battery but no cover on the sides. Just a big black battery hangin' out. The -65 part number battery cover did not appear untill the fall of 1965 and the 1966 models were in production then. Motorcycle Goodies made a smooth aftermarket chrome cover that was used on a lot of 1965 models.

[flat-happy]

i thought the 65 was 1 year only because of the over head oiler banjo bolt?

[jwl]

Slow down Chris, take a deep breath. I beleive he's talking about the battery cover, not the timing gear cover.

[Chris Haynes]

SomeEarly 65s did have the side cover in chrome and it was NOT ribbed mine with 1500 original had this one and after much research found thats the way it should be the ribbed one was 66.

There is no chrome timing gear cover listed on the 1965 Order Blank. It in not in the Accessory Catalogue either. It is not mentioned in the 1965 Sales Brochure. What research did you find that said "thats the way it should be"
The 1965-1969 models all shared the same smooth timing gear cover.

[INLINE4NUT]

SomeEarly 65s did have the side cover in chrome and it was NOT ribbed mine with 1500 original had this one and after much research found thats the way it should be the ribbed one was 66.

[rbenash]

Oh, wait never mind - I don't think you would be docked for chrome pipes/exhaust on a 65 FLH unless it was a restoration. So, sounds like they didn't take off any points for the mufflers either then.

[Underdoggie]

The pipes down from the heads are mostly blue, the rest does not look as good in person as in the pictures. Especially out in the sun, you can really see the battery acid damage and even after you polish them up they dont look like the chrome you see now. These were all on the bike when I first saw it, thats all I know. I am going to try and focus on finding out more about the fourteen years the orginal owner had it.

[rbenash]

Thanks couldn't remember if yours was original or repainted, etc. Did they bump you for the chrome on the exhaust or the mufflers? Or is your exhaust painted, can't really tell from the pics too well.

[Underdoggie]

UD - thanks for that info!! And congrats on that 98.25 too! Judged as a restoration or original?

It was in as an original, Engine has never been apart, orginal paint, all that, I did have to take the tranny out when I got ita s my buddy the second owner ran the chain too tight and took out the brass bushing on the main drive gear. It would really leave its mark on the ground everywhere you went. It still does not leak today, Here is a picture of it in 1989 with my wife on it, Notice the battery cover and master cyl. cover on it, I put those on when I first got it.

And here it is at the old camp site in Davenport last weekend. I did take that sheepskin off for the judging. Notice no battery cover, starter cover or master cyl. cover.

[rbenash]

UD - thanks for that info!! And congrats on that 98.25 too! Judged as a restoration or original?

[Underdoggie]

Do you take what Greg Fields says as documentation? To me if there is no factory documentation it doesn't exist.

I just looked at my August 1964 Enthusiast, the New model Announcement. There is no information about The King Of The Highway Group in it.

The information about the King Of The Highway Group in "The Legend Begins" does mention a chrome battery cover. Not a ribbed cover but a chrome cover. However it does not specify which cover top or side. It is listed as part number 66370-65. Looking in the 1965 parts book I find 66370-65 listed as the top cover.

So the bottom line here is that the 1965 Panheads had a painted battery cover unless it had the King Of The Highway Group. Then it had a chrome top cover. The chrome top cover could also be ordered seperately as optional equipment.

There was no side cover offered for a 1965, painted, chromed, or ribbed.

Chris,
I was at Davenport with my 65FL, It was my first AMCA event and I have to say I was impressed by everything and am really glad I joined. I felt my score was pretty impressive at 98.25. I took your comments to heart about the battery cover. I took my ribbed cover off and actually got a 1/4 point deduction for not having it on the bike, I also had a 1/4 point deduction each for not having a master cyl. cover and a starter spring cover. It did kind of confuse me a little as the first time I ever saw this bike at the original owners house it it did not have those three covers on it and also the factory photos dont show them but I guess I am still learning.
I think I'm going to go to two or three meets next year. If they are all as much fun as Davenport I might not be able to take it. I may have to drink more beer to stay relaxed or something.
Underdoggie