65 FLH King of the Highway fit and finish

[Chris Haynes]

Agree on that for sure! Assuming you mean 1965 though?

Yes, 1965.

[rbenash]

Palmer's book does not give detail on either the 1936 or the 1964. To cover those two correctly would require another book.

Agree on that for sure! Assuming you mean 1965 though?

[Chris Haynes]

Very frustrating that Palmer doesn't go into detail on a lot of things about the 65, and his Appendix that covers various finishes completely omits the 65.

And of course, some things just aren't visible, or it's impossible to tell parkerized from painted in a black and white photo.

But somebody on here knows the correct finishes, I'm sure.

Palmer's book does not give detail on either the 1936 or the 1964. To cover those two correctly would require another book.

[bmh]

I'm pretty sure that the pinch bolts on top as well as the mounting bolts and cups underneath were all cadmium plate. the pinch bolts can't be seen when assembeled as they are under the aluminum cover and you really gotta look to see the bolts underneath.

[JSB55]

Aaarrrgggh... then I've got lots of old paint to remove, and parkerizing is clearly in my future.

At least I can now figure out which finish goes where, based on the body of the bolt, assuming the former owner didn't swap very many out.

Thanks again, Chris and Ray.

[Chris Haynes]

Nuts and bolts were always plated or Parkerized, never painted

[rbenash]

I think it might be OK if you wanted to parkerize those parts after you removed the paint. Others with more experience with judging and what's allowed might know better. Otherwise yeah I would leave the paint off.

[JSB55]

I had picked up the idea that some were painted based on previous posts in this thread. And of course, nearly every fastener on mine had gotten hit with intentional paint or overspray when the previous own did his "touch ups".

So judging from your photo, the pinch bolts are cad, and the very large nut that holds the steering stem/triple tree together must have been natural finish, since yours is rusted.

All of those on mine had been painted black, so I guess it's time for the paint remover.

Thanks once again for everyone's help and patience.

[rbenash]

Very frustrating that Palmer doesn't go into detail on a lot of things about the 65, and his Appendix that covers various finishes completely omits the 65.

And of course, some things just aren't visible, or it's impossible to tell parkerized from painted in a black and white photo.

But somebody on here knows the correct finishes, I'm sure.

To many folks the 65 is a first year shovelhead

AFA parkerized or painted, in those photos I would venture to guess you would be safe to assume parkerized not painted black. Cadmium not painted silver would be typical. HD just didn't typically paint bolts. If there are any painted bolts from the factory back then, there would only have been a couple. I really don't think there were any that were painted.

[JSB55]

Very frustrating that Palmer doesn't go into detail on a lot of things about the 65, and his Appendix that covers various finishes completely omits the 65.

And of course, some things just aren't visible, or it's impossible to tell parkerized from painted in a black and white photo.

But somebody on here knows the correct finishes, I'm sure.

[rbenash]

Here's mine (cadmium):



Side view:

[JSB55]

Thanks, Ray.

Palmer mentions that the 61-64 riser studs should be cad, but doesn't mention the pinch bolts. Plus he says nothing about 65.

Mine are cad, with a partially scuffed off coat of black paint, so I don't know if they were factory painted, or "touched up" by the former owner.

They do have the "CP" markings, so they must be the original, or at least correct, fasteners.

[rbenash]

Those bolts were parkerized if I'm thinking of the right ones. Others will keep me honest though.

I don't recall any bolts being painted. All of the hardware would have been mostly cadmium or parkerized.

You really should consider picking up a copy of this book if you haven't already. It's not going to have any specific section on the 65 Pan, but pretty much everything is covered up to 1964. It's an excellent reference, probably the best single book out there.

http://www.themotorbookstore.com/howtoresyour.html

[JSB55]

Arrrggghhh ... I'm starting to feel like a real dunce.

The former owner of this bike was, I know, quite liberal with spray cans of touchup paint, so I can't tell which fasteners came from the factory with the heads painted black, and which got "touched up" along the way. All have the paint partially scratched off, so it could go either way.

Seems like anything that bolts a black part to the frame would use a black fastener, but that might be too logical, and what do I know...

Right now, I'm dealing with the handlebar clamp. Are the bolts that attach it from underneath supposed to be black? And also the two on top that pinch the clamp?

Thinking ahead, I will shortly have the same question about the brackets for the rear brake pedal/master cylinder and the one for the foot shifter apparatus, as well as the exhaust brackets. Black or cad bolts?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can enlighten me.

[JSB55]

I picked it for its uniqueness and collectibility based on the many firsts and lasts, but all these other little quirks are definitely a trip. You guys have been a wealth of information, and what started as a "fix it and ride it" project is quickly becoming an obsession to get it all correct, mainly because of all the additioinal detailed information I've gotten here on the forum.