tanks
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Stellar HDF Member
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From: australia
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Joined: Oct 2025
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From: Wiesbaden /Germany
As far as I remember, all 5-gallon FLH tanks up to and including the 1984 model year were equipped with the typical "bayonet" fuel caps, both fuel caps were different and not interchangeable.
I had both of my fuel caps engraved with the typical "Classic" lettering by a hand engraver who happened to have a small stall at a local festival.
It was very well done back then; the old gentleman usually engraved beer glasses by hand with a small diamond disc.
The original HD fuel caps were made of stainless steel.
The engraving turned out very well, I still have an old photo of it somewhere...
Mike
I had both of my fuel caps engraved with the typical "Classic" lettering by a hand engraver who happened to have a small stall at a local festival.
It was very well done back then; the old gentleman usually engraved beer glasses by hand with a small diamond disc.
The original HD fuel caps were made of stainless steel.
The engraving turned out very well, I still have an old photo of it somewhere...
Mike
Last edited by Mike1956G; Nov 10, 2025 at 10:03 AM.
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Stellar HDF Member
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From: australia
good man
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I will Venture that Not many Aftermarket outfits went thru the Bother to relieve (contour) the backside..If they did...they were generally a Quality piece.. I will try to remember to study harder when up to other farm.. til then...I would Not loose too much sleep over the Quality of your Tanks..
Edit; For Mike56G, The bayonet fillers (caps) were enough different side to side that the caps were Unlikely to fit ...unless sloppy indeed.. the Left, Non Vented, being a Shallow Bayonet...and the right, vented, cap having deeper reach to the bayonet end..
Last edited by Racepres; Nov 10, 2025 at 02:22 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 400
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From: Wiesbaden /Germany
There's no need to philosophize about it for long; the 1979 Harleys were AMF products.
Just like the FLH-80 Classic. Retail price in Germany at the time: 17,900,- German Mark, a lot of money.
The workmanship back then was very questionable, the paintwork was okay, but the fairing, panniers and top case were painted terribly. Nobody would accept something like that today.
I complained about this to the German importer at the time, but received no response.
On the other hand, the motorcycle carried us across the whole of Europe multiple times, from the North Cape to North Africa, and did so repeatedly without a single breakdown.
A faulty ignition coil caused a breakdown, but we had a replacement with us.
The old Goodyear tires were indestructible, terrible in wet weather, but probably good for about 50,000 kilometers.
The FLH was the ultimate long-distance motorcycle, and it's no coincidence that I bought a second one used many years later.
Mike
Just like the FLH-80 Classic. Retail price in Germany at the time: 17,900,- German Mark, a lot of money.
The workmanship back then was very questionable, the paintwork was okay, but the fairing, panniers and top case were painted terribly. Nobody would accept something like that today.
I complained about this to the German importer at the time, but received no response.
On the other hand, the motorcycle carried us across the whole of Europe multiple times, from the North Cape to North Africa, and did so repeatedly without a single breakdown.
A faulty ignition coil caused a breakdown, but we had a replacement with us.
The old Goodyear tires were indestructible, terrible in wet weather, but probably good for about 50,000 kilometers.
The FLH was the ultimate long-distance motorcycle, and it's no coincidence that I bought a second one used many years later.
Mike
