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There's a gap like this pictured here but not as wide/prominent
^^^ Looks Correct based on a Fairly Dim Memory..
note: H-D did Not do "details" nor Hand Fitment...so...always look sloppy to my Eye...some bit of time to "custom fit" and the aesthetics can be improved...even with Bone Stock Stuff!!
But...Ill fitted is closer to "as Delivered"
I have read a couple of times that the gap between the tanks and dash was the way they came up until '82 or '83. At that time the factory came out with the rubber filler for that and looking at the parts book it looks like that may be the case.
That could be ... To the best of my knowledge ( my memory is not what it used to be ) my 1979 FXEF had the rubber under the gauge housing when I bought it ( used ) late 1981
This is one of the things I read about the rubber filler from a person that replied to me when I was asking about replacing the cracked one on my bike. I wonder what a knowledgeable AMCA judge would say. Does the AMCA have a book on the OEM specs, the judges must have something to follow.
A shot of how mine fits, looks better in person. About 1/6th inch gap where there is one, no custom fitting. Yeah, it is dusty. Looked at the rubber that cam off from the bike an it says "Mustang" in a couple of places on the bottom surface.
Keith, I would start by getting good factory pieces and see how they fit.
Just noticed today that the '80s were single-cable throttle, silver housing, and it looks like the '81 transitioned to dual-cable, black housing? (spending a LOT of time looking at photos, yes)
Over the weekend, I robbed passenger pegs, stock grips, and the turn signal relay from my Ironhead (which now fits in the holder in the headlight housing, unlike the round one that was bouncing around in there). I also realized that a previous owner installed an aftermarket module to convert the rear turn signals into brake/tail lights and installed red lenses. Looks like I'm looking for original one-wire turn signals to reinstall at some point in the future.
(yes, the frame is gross)
Correct dash, tachometer, sissy bar, and back rest pad all ordered and getting correct pegs/controls from someone in the FB group today. Pretty decent start, I'd say.
The 81 was single cable throttle also. Some guys went to the two cable because it was said to be safer. My 81 had a single cable.
I bought a dual cable when I bought the bike for that reason. Don't know if I feel safer.
Keith, I would start by getting good factory pieces and see how they fit.
Thanks, Ken - I did get factory pieces (the black dash and a correct black tank cover/bib), and while the tank cover fits the tank profile MUCH better, the gap below the dash is the same.
In fact, the fitment of the tank cover to the tanks is what made me reconsider my initial assumption that I had aftermarket tanks.
I think I'll run without the rubber and with a gap while we research this further. You guys are a great resource. I appreciate it.
Well, I decided to blow off work today and revisit the tank positioning. I started by removing the shims at the dash and resetting everything; now I'm not sure why it was shimmed up there in the first place. IIRC, the front mounts (upper and lower) aren't typically shimmed, only the rear ones?
Honestly, it doesn't look like they were needed.
I'm going to use stepped rubber washers to isolate and raise the tanks (centering the tank mount holes on the mounting bolts) - unless that's a bad idea for some reason. I figured the vibration isolation would be a longevity benefit on a shovelhead, and raising them would improve my dash gap...
I'll report back with the results (I'm also throwing back a few, so may not finish today)
Is that black wire a ground connected to the 2 hole dash mount ? That dash mount may be isolated by the rubber mount, is the plastic connector melted ? I wonder if rubber mounting the upper tank mounts will cause the other non rubber mounted mounts to break. I would think all or none.
Is that black wire a ground connected to the 2 hole dash mount ? That dash mount may be isolated by the rubber mount, is the plastic connector melted ? I wonder if rubber mounting the upper tank mounts will cause the other non rubber mounted mounts to break. I would think all or none.
It's just laying there - it's the last of previous bad wiring that I need to resolve (fixed two other issues already) - I'm guessing one of the wires in the factory dash plug has issues elsewhere on the bike necessitating the supplemental ground in question (it attaches to the mounting post on the speedometer, btw), just haven't tracked it down yet.
- and yep, the plan is to do all three mounts on each tank.
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