Wow

[exeric]

Is it only me or do these caps strike anyone else as less than authentic? The inside looks zink plated, I have never seen a Harley box that stated the item inside, they usually say genuine/logo/parts and accessories. I know they are making repops now with the eaton mark inside. Or maybe I am just a skeptic.

I thought they looked too new as well. Even unused Cad plating tends to get dull and powdery with age.

[gigolo258]

gas cap

I was at Oley about five years ago and bought a single 40 up footboard for $30, in the bottom of the same tub was a nice single long knurl tall cap,the guy says "oh you can have that for free".I gave it to my buddy Tommy that gives me stuff all the time.

[portagepan]

Honestly, prices like this have pretty much killed the joy of old bikes for people like me. I have one Panhead, and over the years I have enjoyed getting oem HD parts to keep it on the road and mostly original. Not to be judged, just for it to be what it is supposed to be. I didn't want a repop bike. I have no interest in them. But now, the prices are out of my reach for most original stuff, so my days of looking are pretty much over. I could use a tall cap for my left side '65 gas tank, but I hate to ask what one would go for. I have plenty of the short ones, that say Eaton on them. Oh well....
Mike

[upsrod]

Mike, your 65 takes the short one, first used in 65 and non vented.

[Sargehere]

Is it only me or do these caps strike anyone else as less than authentic? The inside looks zink plated, I have never seen a Harley box that stated the item inside, they usually say genuine/logo/parts and accessories. I know they are making repops now with the eaton mark inside. Or maybe I am just a skeptic.

I thought they looked too new as well. Even unused Cad plating tends to get dull and powdery with age.

Well, they look identical to the "short serrations" Eaton repop caps I bought from Old Dude a coupla years ago at Eustis. I think I gave him $75 for the pair. Same "flat topped" rivets, same color gasket, same simulation of the Eaton trademark, but no box; "indistinguishable." And the ones we're talking about don't look any older. Including the box for a real one is a nice touch, psychologically.

Hmm - how much of the $637.50 was for the box?

The seller started bidding at only $9.99, but claimed from the beginning that they're real. I'd score it: Box = $550; Caps = $87.77.

[rbenash]

Ahh, now we're getting somewhere. Getting to understand how much was paid for the box

[rbenash]

Guess this guy got ripped off. Just got one used cap and no box:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...vip=true&rt=nc

[Sargehere]

Guess this guy got ripped off. Just got one used cap and no box:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...vip=true&rt=nc

I think that's what the seller sez it is:







Note the "ledge" around the rim on top, unlike the repop. The rivets have no "flat" in their centers. And the apparent age. Unless, of course, it was artificially aged, but I don't think so. That, from this distance, at least, and the crappy photos, I would say that is probably a real '36-37 gascap. But no box!

[rbenash]

Yeah, I've been doing searches on completed auctions and seeing what you point out. Looks like someone got seriously ripped off.

[portagepan]

"Mike, your 65 takes the short one, first used in 65 and non vented." Rod, the right is short, the left is tall. First year, I think for that, used on the turnpike tanks. I have several "eaton" caps. I didn't know there were repops with the emblem on them! I think Chris Haynes mentioned one time that the later eatons were different. Maybe he will chime in. Also, one difference i see in mine, is the smooth area below the serrations is about 1/16" longer on some. The oldest looking ones, with some pitting on the latch bar inside the caps have taller rivets that stand a little proud, more rounded. None of the rivets on my caps have the flat top, but the finnish on some inside looks yellowish, possibly zinc?
Mike