'65 Triple Trees

[T. Cotten]

Are you sure about this, Rod?

It don't make much sense (as if we weren't talkin' '65s...)

Can you point to a purpose?
My un-notched tree ran great for a couple of decades with 3.5s on a '65 frame.
(Until a little old lady from Tiskilwa wiped me out from behind with a Chrysler....)

My two adjustables ain't notched either.

What else could be different to need notches?
The tanks were the same as '63-'64, by my reckoning.
Its gotta be big tanks, or some control sheath or wiring change?

If I had a memory, I would remember if the two '66s I did had them.
Somehow, notches are just too familiar.
(Doh! One of the '66s had 3.5s... I shoulda taken better notes a quarter of a century ago.)

....Cotten
PS: So, comparing the two different solo trees, it looks like an endmill operation.

But why?

[Zedder]

I need a set for 3.5 gallon tanks if anyone is selling!

[T. Cotten]

The '65 lower tree used with 5 gallon tanks would not have the notches in the stops....mine are welded up.

So notched stops are '65-only-3.5-only?

Uhoh.

....Cotten

[upsrod]

The '65 lower tree used with 5 gallon tanks would not have the notches in the stops....mine are welded up.

[Zedder]

Thanks 55tmm!

[55tmm]

Lower Tree
IMG_7772.jpg
Upper Tree
IMG_7774.jpg

[55tmm]

Zedder, I'll look and get back to you.

[Zedder]

Thanks 55tmm! Can you tell me what the casting numbers are for your upper and lower trees please?

[55tmm]

If it helps, here is a view of an original '65
IMG_8450.jpg

[Speeding Big Twin]

Hard to read the forging number under the top tree but it may be 56120-60? Can you confirm please. It may be a 60–64 top tree. It isn’t 65 because it hasn’t got a 5/16” threaded hole in the vicinity of the blue square in your photo below.




The 5/16” hole was for a horn bracket and I think the hole was there for 65–69 even though the horn was shifted from the top tree about later-68?

I’m not sure about the lower tree. In the red rectangle do I see some stamped characters? Perhaps a letter followed by three or four numbers? If so can you tell us the letter.
Eric

[Chips Place]

65TT-10.jpg

Or could this be lower 49 to 57??

I guess I am learning now?

Thanks,
Chip

[Chips Place]

65TT-6.jpg65TT-7.jpg65TT-8.jpg65TT-9.jpg

[Chips Place]

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.

Robbie,
Do you think these are for a '65 Pan?

65TT-1.jpg65TT-2.jpg65TT-3.jpg65TT-4.jpg65TT-6.jpg

[Rubone]

Chip, keep in mint that there are several variations of "swing arm" triple trees. The first still used the old style two piece risers. From '60 up they are used with the one piece riser and the nacelle. The differences are in the location for the terminal boards, horn mount, notches for tank styles, and padlock tabs. So not just any one will work, although most will if you are not going full on purist for your year.

[Chips Place]

Dave,
Any iea when it might be published? Or maybe I should say what year.

Chip