This holds the rear portion of the gas tank basically in place. I too was surprised that it works as well as it does. Pic is from my 78 FXE.

 

real men shrug off such folly those are quality retention accompaniments

SEE POLITICAL CORECTNESS WoRKs EVEN THIS S-WAY

 

Translation = hillbilly

 

Maybe, but it saved HD a lot of money at the time. The frame was basicallyt the same used on FLH models. At some point in the AMF years HD went to its own frame for FX models.

Some of my riding friends consider me a hillbilly because I still pack around my tools when I ride and among the stuff is a small roll of duct tape. Have only needed it one time in all the years but one time justified it.

 

Spent some time getting the seat back on the bike. Seat T before painting



Seat hardware (still have to refinish a couple of pieces) and the saddle











Yes the seat is neither original nor correct for the bike. I know that and have the original (right down to the yellow date stamp on the underside) but it needs to be redone (Heather's Leathers appears to be the place to do it).

But there is a backstory to the seat.

The seat was given to me by my dad. He rode Harleys when he came home from WWll. By the time I came along (number 2 of what would be 6) mom did not want pop to ride anymore (she was a stay at home mom until my youngest sister was in high school). Bike was sold and he kept the seat. It was originally red (where the maroon is) and white with the black leather seat and all the jewels. He'd alway kept it on his garage wall. In what would be the last year of his life he takes it down and passes it on to me. I take it home and it goes on my garage wall. Asbestos cancer finally gets him in 1999. Per his wishes he is cremated. I ride my 65 down to Kingsburg CA to get the ashes. On the return trip home (always back roads of course) I stop in at three bars along the way. Take the ashes in put them on the bar and order a gin and tonic for him (his favorite drink) and a whiskey straight up for me (my favorite). Get him home and a couple weeks later we bury him next to my grandfather (WWl vet) at the National Cemetary in Daly City CA.

About 10 years ago I am in the middle of restoring my 49 EL and decide to have the seat redone. The paint is Maroon (HD color option for 1949 models). I send the saddle to Worsham Castle for refinish. I explain the story to Michael Paquette (the owner). Few months later the seat comes back to me. We had decided to reuse all the jewels and position them in the same manner as they were on the original. We'd also made the decision not the refinish any of the jewels, so where the finish and chrome is worn, it stays that way. One thing Micheal added (and to my joyous surprise)...it is a bit difficult to see due to poor lighting but under the maroon fringe trim on the back of the saddle he tooled this inscription,"1920 Alfred Joseph Newman 1999 ". I hadn't planned on putting this seat on the 65, but as I have got into this project, it really seems fitting since pop was the one who helped me find the bike in the first place and helped get it on the road way back when. And I can proudly say my pop still rides.

 

Awesome story and a fine last name

 

Wow!! What a great story. While I am sure he is always with you, you will always know he has your *** when your riding.

 

good on you dave

 

How's the engine coming along or are you waiting for a replacement 114" TWINKIE engine to arrive?

 

I spoke to him about that right after he melted it down for wheel chocks the drive way has a slight grade to it