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Hi all, I picked up a pair of tanks cheap and I'm trying to narrow down what year/model they may have come from.
I'm trying to teach myself about body/paint work so I got these to strip down and restore (at least cosmetically for display if nothing more).
I know they have the common 61-62 badging mounts, but since those are widely available these days on eBay I assume any tank could have them. I'm thinking one can identify them by the inside molding but I just don't know what is what.
I went with the Pepper Red from that era just for s & g's.
Any thoughts on this are appreciated!
the side I'm already painting Side I have only filled with vinegar for derusting (hence the spilling).
Definitely not 61/62 tanks. They didn't have a petcock on FLH style tanks until 1966.
Bottom right OEM tanks up until 1966; threaded for cad plated style tube fitting
Top left side OEM tanks 65 and earlier. Pics a little fuzzy but they were still using the on/off/reserve rod that went through the top of the gas tank. That style of petcock was first used on Shovel-era bikes and I do not recall the year/s (thinking 1966), but at some point the petcock was actullay mounted on the bottom of the right tank.
Last edited by panz4ever; Mar 13, 2019 at 02:31 PM.
whats that threaded hole on top used for. my 80 shovel has slip on hose fittings underneath
LOL Petcock... fuel shutoff really.
the earlier ones yet had Shutoff on one side and Manual oiler [oil pump] on the other...as the other tank was oil....
I still have the left tank from my '51...shifter gate, shutoff and Badge... All that's left of the poor old Thing... I was unkind to it many ... many years ago...Yep "Sinner"
Bob, I can't tell if your tanks are H-D or AM but you'll notice the 'fuel valve' is female as opposed to male.
At least two types of female fuel valves were used for Shovelhead style tanks. H-D introduced the first one for 1975 models. The second one was apparently introduced for 1981 models according to part numbers in my H-D catalogs. However, I can't tell if your fuel valve is the 75 style or the 81 style and I don't know if yours is H-D or AM.
Can you post photos of the front fuel outlets on your tanks please because there was a change to them around 1980-1981. Thanks.
Eric
Bob, I can't tell if your tanks are H-D or AM but you'll notice the 'fuel valve' is female as opposed to male.
At least two types of female fuel valves were used for Shovelhead style tanks. H-D introduced the first one for 1975 models. The second one was apparently introduced for 1981 models according to part numbers in my H-D catalogs. However, I can't tell if your fuel valve is the 75 style or the 81 style and I don't know if yours is H-D or AM.
Can you post photos of the front fuel outlets on your tanks please because there was a change to them around 1980-1981. Thanks.
Eric
I can take better pics when I get home but maybe these are telling enough (btw that's a blocking pin sticking out in the first pic). These lower outlets look just like the ones on my 99 FXD tank.
What I have in the shop... my own original 1951 Left side tank... shutoff on top of tank.. shifter gate and all ... shows the Inside contour of the pre 1974 Tanks that I have.. these pre 1974 tanks have an Inny petcock ie Female pipe threaded... for the Earliest petcock.
this Petcock is on the 1973 fatbobs... Not on the 1974 FX. which has the Outside straight threaded bung!..
the early Tanks also had straight fitting for the Crossover... til 1979 apparently... because the 1979 FXS 1200 has straight, while a 1980 FXS has Bent... and... all the tanks around here post 1979 are bent at the Crossover...
Finally... those "stick on" tank badge attachment are a Fairly recent... aftermarket thing... all original Harley Badges [with the exception of certain limited or Collectors type models] have the badge mounts Built into the tank... ie relieved and tabs for the Screws...etc.
While there are Aftermarket tanks here... I do Not consider them relevant...
HTH
Last edited by Racepres; Mar 14, 2019 at 09:58 AM.
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Tank model/year question
