1965 Panhead Book Project

[vph-d]

The 62A grips were available in several colors other than black or white. However, I think these were 'over the counter' parts department sales, rather than an option on a new bike order form. I'm sure that if a customer wanted blue grips on his new 65, a dealer would have installed them prior to sale.
VPH-D

[upsrod]

Also in blue, white and black!...http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-HARLEY-D...7fdc9d&vxp=mtr

[jorrow]

I have never seen the new grips for that year in anything but black or white.

[vph-d]

The white grips are what I'm seeing on the few factory photo I've found...
VPH-D

[upsrod]

Could be right, don't see them listed in F-1 after 1961 although the colored grips were still available after! I have seen an original 20 K Hi-Fi blue '65 with blue grips and many with white.

[upsrod]

Colored grips were part of the F-1 Chrome Finish Group that I think started in '58...usually match the bike main color. Could probably be ordered in any grip color available.

[vph-d]

I thought that the color matched grips went out earlier than 65.
VPH-D

[upsrod]

I would say originally your bike would have blue plastic grips.

[vph-d]

I bought an OP 65 recently. What is the consensus about grip color? The 3 factory 65 photos I've found show white grips. The photo I've found most often is a right side 3/4 front view showing a guy on the bike, and girl behind the front fender. My bike is configured like the machine in this photo, which looks like a King of the Highway package, but lacks the rear safety guards.
VPH-D

[my first pan]

I've posted to threads in the past on '65. My resto is complete you can see various postings, etc. It's all pretty much covered. There will never be a book on '65 IMHO They are a biatch. And if you want to do one right you need to first understand how original yours is, not a simple task - really. Otherwise just fix it up and get it running. There are so many first/last/mid year changes that you really need to spend a LOT of time on a '65 resto. PM me to talk further. This is old ground. '65 is a great year to have - unless you are trying to get one back to original. It's a long hard road to get them right.

Thanks Ray, I will take you up on offer to talk with you about my 65, I don't want a nut and bolt correct 65 but just a great looking Period correct Bike that runs well and looks like it did in say 67 or 68 just a couple of years old, I have been down the road with my 71 Corvette LT1 car with people nit picking the 95% original car to death, not going to do this with the Pan. Also I'm going to Ride it I live in NJ and have Great roads to drive on....Thanks For your Help....Frank

[rbenash]

I've posted to threads in the past on '65. My resto is complete you can see various postings, etc. It's all pretty much covered. There will never be a book on '65 IMHO They are a biatch. And if you want to do one right you need to first understand how original yours is, not a simple task - really. Otherwise just fix it up and get it running. There are so many first/last/mid year changes that you really need to spend a LOT of time on a '65 resto. PM me to talk further. This is old ground. '65 is a great year to have - unless you are trying to get one back to original. It's a long hard road to get them right.

[my first pan]

Maybe We all could chip in and start Our Own section on here with helpful hints and 65 pan facts to help each other out, have some photos and share info....I'm sure there are Very smart people who would help out.

[Rubone]

sidecar man here looking forward to 65 pan book to help me keep my bike correct. thank you.

Don't hold your breath, the book seems to have died quietly or is on indefinite hold....
A book like that is a huge undertaking and life tends to get in the way of best intentions. There has been no response from the prospective author in years. So only direct contact could answer the big question.

[sidecar man]

sidecar man here looking forward to 65 pan book to help me keep my bike correct. thank you.

[rbenash]

On another note we all pretty much know about the Guide T3 12V Motorcycle headlamp with the big Triangle/T3 in the center and "motorcycle" along the bottom. I still have one on mine but going to pull it off and use a replacement and save it for show.

But - on the 12v spots, was there something special there? I know the fluting disappears on the 12V but wasn't sure if there was any other special markings on the clear bulbs. I've had some '65 owners tell me there are some lettering or something but they have never been able to show me as they didn't have them on their bikes.

I think headlamp and spot lamps are considered normal wear items. Anyone have the current skinny on that? I figure closest possible repro should suffice. Don't know since
I have original headlamp and what I believe (and was never challenged in judging) are the original spots. I've never been challenged on points during judging on the spots.