18's on a panhead

[exeric]

The knucklehead forum posed a very interesting fact. According to H-D parts books, 18" rims were available for big twin into the 1960's. Has anyone ever seen a panhead with factory supplied 18's. Better still, does anyone have a picture of a pan with 18's. I would really like to see that.

[Carl N. Olsen]

If you look closely at the parts books they were only available on the 45s into the later years. 18 inch rims were last offered on the big twins in 1946.

[exeric]

My 1957 Spare Parts book clearly states:

43004-35 rim (18")....35 to 52 W rear, 35 to 50 G rear, 41 to 57 G
front, 40 to 57-61", 74", & 80" front & rear.

The above rim was also supplied in chrome. I didn't believe it either, but there it is.

[Carl N. Olsen]

They were only available on the 45s from the factory after 46 though. I have run across this issue when judging a 1957 Panhead a few years ago. Just because you could get them in the parts book does not mean you can order them on a machine. Check out your various year model order blanks, you will not find an option for 18" rims for big twins after 1946.
Carl

[VPH-D]

The 18" rims do not show up in the order forms as an option, which would need to be selected, like handlebar styles.
VPH-D

[exeric]

I have a 1951 H-D order blank that never mentions the 18' rim for anything, even 45's. If you were to consider this order blank as gospel, then you could make the arguement that 500x16" rims were the only wheel available for any Harley Davidson motorcycle. Indian always argued against 500x16" tires, claiming safety issues and inferior handling. I wonder, if in that competitive climate of the 40's and 50's that H-D hedged their bets and made 18's available for all models. I understand your point though, and I am inclined to agree that the order blanks are the definitive tool for today's historian, and restorer.

[Tommo]

I've just ordered a 2007 ULTRA CLASSIC and because I'm a tall so-in-so and Harley seems to make all their bikes for people with ducks disease I've ordered mine with a Tallboy seat,Extended reach footboard kit and adjustable Passenger footboard kit.
None of the above items appear on the factory order blank but my bike will be leaving the factory with them fitted.
In 35 years time when my grandson takes Pop's bike to an antique bike show are the judges going to call him a liar when he says this bike is exactly as it left the factory.
My point here really is, who knows definitively that only bikes complying with the order blanks left the factory and if 18 inch rims were available, what was stopping someone from ordering them.
I think that if it can be proven that, as excric says, the bits were available ex factory then they should be quite legitimate fixtures today.
You guys seem to take this judging/originality thing a bit to seriously and while I'm the first one to point out non-stock items I'm also generally the first one to offer the correct part.
My 2 cents, Tommo.

[Bill Pedalino]

18" Rims

I agree with Tommo. As we all know, things not listed on the order forms (like 'custom' colors in certain years) were available from the factory over the years. I am told by guys evebn older than me, that if a customer was willing to wait longer there was certainly more flexability in what could be supplied from the factory. I would think that this would especially be true for an item that was already and still available as an over-the-counter item such as a wheel rim, chrome or black.

I also agree with Tommo's assertion concening judging. We all want accuracy - its essential in preserving the record of the fine machines we strive to restore. But come on guys - lets use some common sense here. Do we really want to penalize those who have worked so hard on points that are even minimally debatable??

My 1.5 cents.

Bill Pedalino