65 FLH King of the Highway fit and finish

[JSB55]

Thanks, Chris

Seemed like it should be that way, but ya never know

[JSB55]

Maintenance Free Battery Retrofit?

Hi, Guys

Back again after a long winter of delays, and now reaching final assembly on my 65, which I intend as a daily rider while staying as true as I can to AMCA "restoration" guidelines.

I really would like to use a maintenance-free battery in this thing, mainly to prevent any acid spills ruining paint, chrome, tires, etc, even though it is not technically "correct".

I know it would require some minor modifications to terminals, and one or more shims inside the battery box, as the new batteries that most likely would work are somewhat thinner, even though about the same length and slightly less height as compared to the OEM battery for the 65.

My real question, however, is whether a newer maintenance-free battery would be safe for the rest of my electrical system. I've seen some guys on other boards saying that everything works great after the conversion, while others (including HD dealers who only want to sell the standard acid-type battery for this application) caution that the newer batteries will "burn up the electrical system" on a 65.

Any info appreciated, especially battery make and model that works, if others have done the conversion.

Thanks!

John

[panz4ever]

Got my sealed battery from Jireh. Same dimensions as OEM. Battery terminals as well so no need to modify parts. Just put it in and run it. Been in there for a year with no problems at all. And no acid leaks

[JSB55]

Thanks for the info. I had looked at those, but wasn't sure if they were sealed or standard.

Anybody else had experience with this?

[JSB55]

Thanks, "Panz" for the tip on the sealed battery from Jireh. Got one and it fits perfectly.

I'm also looking to reverse the Linkert M to a "pull" throttle. Anybody got a suggestion for a ready-made kit to do this, and/or a photo of how it's done?

Thanks again for all the tips and help over the past year. This forum has been a godsend for stuff like this.

John

UPDATE: never mind... found I had a handlebar sleeve whose spiral reversed what I had in there, and it solved the problem. Still, pushing on the lever with a flimsy cable to open the throttle is not my idea of great engineering *LOL*

[Jerry Wieland]

If you find a twist from a Bendix carburator era bike it will 'pull' the throttle open.

Jerry

[JSB55]

Thanks, Jerry. Just edited my original message, as I found I had a sleeve whose spiral was the reverse of what I had installed, and it solved the problem.

The cable still has to "push" on the throttle lever, which sometimes prevents it going to WFO due to the flimsiness of the cable itself, but at least the grip on the handlebar is now "pull" to open the throttle.

John

[JSB55]

mousetrap finishes

Palmer indicates that the large moustrap bracket (the one that clamps to the frame downtube) was natural finish thru '64, but I don't find reference to the flatter piece, and of course, Palmer does not cover '65.

My large bracket is natural finish, while the flatter piece appears to have once been cad. Are those the correct finishes for 65?

Thanks!

[Chris Haynes]

This is what the factory photo shows. Bracket is natural cast finish. Lever is Cadmium. U bolt is Parkerized. Spring is painted black.

[JSB55]

Info appreciated, Chris!

[JSB55]

wrong inner primary ???

Hi, Guys

The inner primary I have on my 65 FLH is a 60620-65, mated with an outer cover # 60510-65. However, when the Compensating Sprocket is installed, it's too "tall" to fit under the outer primary cover. A shovelhead outer cover with the raised area up front would fit just fine, but of course does not belong there.

The book actually calls for a 60617-65A inner primary, and the same cover as above. I'm wondering if the 60617 is slighter deeper at the sprocket end than the 3" depth of the 60620?

Or maybe I just have the Compensating Sprocket incorrectly assembled, but I doubt that, since even without the spring and with the outer nut fully tightened, it is still too tall to allow the outer cover to go on.

I opened up my 65 FL to see what was in there, and it's the same part #s as on the FLH, except that it has a standard sprocket rather than the compensating sprocket that is on the FLH.

Can somebody enlighten me, please???

Really trying to button this up by Monday.

Thanks in advance for the help, and for all past help.

John

[Rubone]

JSB55,
If the number you are quoting is cast into the primary cover, it is not a part number, merely a casting number which is different. Which engine shaft bearing spacer are you using, and which compensator sprocket? Post a picture if you can as that will help immensely. The compensator should be the same as all the '55 up, but NOT a '70 up style. you mention nut, but the outer fastener is a flat plate with four holes in it on the end of a threaded shaft. Is that what you have?
Robbie

[JSB55]

Thanks, Rub... not sure I can upload a photo, but updated info is as follows

The numbers I'm referring to are raised letters at about 11 oclock to the clutch sprocket, just about the nuts that mount to the trans, and are on the inside of the inner primary (i.e., visible when it is installed)

On the outer primary, the numbers are also raised, but much less noticeable than the large, raised numbers on the inner.

Not sure which spacer I have installed, but the measurement from outside edge of chain to primary gasket surface is uniform all along, and with the spacer installed, I also get measurements from the fiber surface of the clutch hub to the gasket surface and from the gasket surface to the shoulder on the outer sleeve that the engine sprocket mates to which match (i.e., chain is aligned).

I wouldn't know a late from early compensating sprocket ... mine is four pieces in total - the two pieces with "sharks teeth" that mate, the large spring, and the outer "nut" I mentioned above, which is actually a threaded sleeve with flat outer surface and the four holes in it, requiring the special tool for tightening.

Hope that helps clarify. IF I can find my USB cord to transfer a photo to computer, I will upload photos shortly.

Thanks for trying to help. This is kicking my butt.

John

[JSB55]

P.S. - this bike was full of wrong parts when I got it, so it wouldn't surprise me if the guy put in a 70s compensator.

[JSB55]

charging the digital camera battery... going to take a while for that

meanwhile, I found a partial part number "55A" stamped on what I called the outer of the two "shark tooth" pieces... the parts book lists it as a "sliding cam with shaft extension #40292-55A"