mystery 1965 tanks

[jorrow]

I bought these unusual tanks at Davenport that appeared as 1965 5 gallon but the more I looked at them they are a complete mystery. First they appear really old, and are VERY heavy. When I removed the original emblems, I noticed what appeared to be mounts that were possibly soldered on? When compared to my other 65 tanks the mounts are not in the same locale, so I'm thinking....aftermarket...but it gets wierder. Such as the bottom of the tanks that are very flat up to the point of where the pans clear the tanks. And the lower front left tank mount appears similar to a tank shift mount apparatus...not what you would see on put together aftermarket production tank...so i'm thinking ....maybe homemade...prototype?....who knows. Any help would be duly appreciated. jeff

[Jerry Wieland]

What you have there is a set of tanks that have been widened for more capacity. They are commonly called CHiP tanks because it was commonly done by the California Hiway patrol. I've seen them in 3 different configurations. Some like yours added about 2" on each side evenly. Some left the very back intact and spread open the front like a mouth and used taper shaped inserts. Sometimes only the right tank was done so as not to interfere with the shifting geometry. They are heavy because they are probably leaded and the added pieces are sometimes thicker metal.

They are most assuredly not 1965 5 gallon tanks. Maybe 63 to 65 handshift 3.5.

Jerry

[jurassic]

big tanks

looks kinda like those fat tanks dale walksler has on one of his bikes.3 1/2 gallon tanks that have been widened.once you strip em and blast em ,you'll know the whole story.cool tanks.

[jorrow]

Thanks guys, it all finally makes sense now. ....Jeff

[Chris Haynes]

Except for the fact that the CHP always used the 3 1/2 gallon tanks and not 5 gallon tanks. I have lived in CA for 62 of my 63 years and never saw a CHP bike with 5 gallon tanks. I had bought lots of used bikes from the CHP during the '60's and '70's.
Notice the 3 1/2's on this pre 1965 CHP bike.

[INLINE4NUT]

31/2 gallon tanks would not be unusuall
on a pre 65 now would it as the 5s where introduced in 65 ! And I can not believe they would change new 5 gallon tanks,or should I say cut and hack 5 gallonn tanks for more capacity!!! now I have had a 65 tankshift with sidecar that was orignal paint from the dealer that had 65 paint scheme and 31/2 gallonn tanks !
Chris thanks for the picture what a blast from the past!!!!

[Chris Haynes]

The tankshift was not available on the 1965 5 gallon tanks.

[bmh]

Was the up sweep exhaust tip dept issue?

[Chris Haynes]

Was the up sweep exhaust tip dept issue?

\

Not on these.

[jorrow]

INLINE4NUT, I would love to have a picture of the 65 sidecar bike you speak of, especially how they did the tank scheme on 3 1/2 gallon tanks as the emblems sit a lot lower than on 5 gallon tanks.

[vph-d]

Wouldn't the 3 1/2 hand shift tanks used in 65 just be 63/64 handshift tanks? I mean, what else would they be?
VPH-D

[INLINE4NUT]

I do believe this MC is still around if I can I will capture a few pics it was in a private collection sold to another friend and I have not seen the MC in better that 15 years,if possible Ill get the pics,I cud be wrong about the 31/2 gallon tanks...but dont think so they always stuck out in my mind,but Im getting old and with age WE all loose a little !

[Rubone]

In the late 60's and early 70's I saw several '65 models with hand shift and 3.5 gallon tanks. All were ex police bikes coming out of auctions and all were painted solid white so the paint scheme wasn't an issue. I have never seen a civilian model with that set-up but I would think a factory ordered sidecar rig could have had it. Lets find a picture guys.
Robbie

[Chris Haynes]

Simply look in a 1965 Parts Catalogue. There was no tank shift available for five gallon tanks in 1965.
All sidecar units with a three speed and reverse transnission came with 3 1/2 gallon tanks. The frame mounted tank shifter for the five gallon tanks appeared in 1966.

[jwl]

original paint 65 w/sidecar and 3 1/2 gal. tanks

I have an original paint 65 with sidecar and 3 1/2 gallon tanks and hand shift. I purchased it from the original owner and it has less than 6000 original miles on it. The bike and sidecar have been together from new. It has a 3 speed with reverse. The bike was purchased new in Lansing, MI. and was there until I brought it to ND close to 10 yrs ago. It is red and white. The paint scheme is nearly the same as the 5 gallon tanks but the emblem is in the bottom color not the top. I don't have a picture readily available or I would post it tonight. I'll try to get a photo posted later if anyone is interested and my wife has time to do it for me.