'65 Triple Trees

[drinner-okc]

Boy Chip, a 100 point 65 would really be a tough endeavor, and expensive. There were numerous running changes during 65 production. So-far there is no book that documents 65's as well as any other year. Several have been started upon, far as I know none made it to the publisher.
Before you start chasing rare expensive parts, chase down as much info about where your serial number fits into the changes.
This site, and the hydra-glide.com site have a wealth of info. Attend AMCA meets and Road Runs and talk to 65 owners & riders and find some near your number, and talk to them, ask if they know whats' correct in your serial number range.
There are four (4) 65's in our group and all have minor differences.
When your's done, maybe you can write the book !!

Dwight
drinner-okc

[Rubone]

The swingarm frame bottom tree has an oval shape (the boss you are asking about) where the stem is welded in offset, the rigid one has a circular boss with the stem centered. The "boss" was changed to allow for the height difference in the new swingarm frame and allow the same trail as was used on the rigid to help keep the handling similar. And there are far more than two versions of trees.
Adjustable trees have two piece lowers that can be set in a retracted or extended position for use with sidecars only. The tops of the legs have a pivot rather than a bolted through the tree cap.

For the theoretical "100 point" bike everything has to be correct as the bike was originally sold, so yes, the trees make a difference.

[Chips Place]

Just a little background here, I acquired a '65 basket case (swingarm frame) which appears to have the majority of its parts. But as most of you already know and I am learning, it doesn't mean the parts are correct for that year. And it appears to me the triple tree is falling into this category.

Now I have read the post on the triple trees which indicates there are two versions, one for the rigid frame and one for the swingarm frame. The picture depicts on one of the posts shows the two versions, the one on top being the swingarm version and the one on the bottom being the rigid version.

I am a little confused about the terminology of "boss". What are they referring too? Could it be the bottom portion of the stem that is sticking out from the lower trees plate, where the stem is either "welded" or "pressed" onto the bottom plate?

I looked at the pictures and it appears the rigid frame, bottom picture, the bottom of the stem has a donut end and a higher dimension. The swingarm stem looks like it is flatten out and not as high, the top picture.

What is the difference between the two and how would it affect each frame if the wrong tree was used on a frame? Or maybe it doesn't matter. I know from the background I have had in manufacturing, that certain parts can superseded others. For the better or worse some would say. Could this be the case?

Also "IF" I would want to take on the adventure of making this a 100 point bike, could the wrong version of the triple tree make a difference?

They also talk about an adjustable tree? What is meant by that. Are the fork tubes adjustable on the triple tree? (Maybe the way the tubes are positioned in the pinch portion of the lower trees?

I am looking at a triple tree to purchase, and it does have the correct casting number of -48 but it appears it is the what I call the donut bottom which is I think is for the rigid frame. So would this be wrong for the swingarm?

I hope this makes sense, if not let me know.

Thanks,
Chip