65 pan 5 gal or 3.5 gal tanks??

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vipersniper
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1965 Panhead

65 pan 5 gal or 3.5 gal tanks??

#1

Post by vipersniper »

I bought a 65 Pan awhile ago to do a best retore I can as it was converted to chopper at one time and back on to a swingarm aftermarket frame. I purchased a OEM used 65 frame so all is good there but as I start to transfer parts and reinstall to the other frame I am looking at the tanks and thought are these 3.5s or 5's? Hmm.., I have had many bikes in the past but been out of it for 10 years, I know this 65 pan should have 5 gallon tanks how can I tell for sure as I have nothing to compare it to I think they are 3.5's and why would they be on this bike as they have no tank shifter either, are they 64 as they have the correct emblem mounted?
thanks guys
VS
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Re: 65 pan 5 gal or 3.5 gal tanks??

#2

Post by blewcrab »

you would have no doubt if your tanks are 5 gal. the filler necks are centered on the tank halves... on a 3gal they are on the outside edge of tank halves..I hope that makes sense.... good luck
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Re: 65 pan 5 gal or 3.5 gal tanks??

#3

Post by RUBONE »

Fill either side up with any kind of liquid and see how much it holds.
5 gallon tanks tend to have a much squarer profile across the front than 3.5s.
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Re: 65 pan 5 gal or 3.5 gal tanks??

#4

Post by Cotten »

Welcome Vipersniper!

The big "Turnpike" tanks are too ugly to miss, as they are nearly triangular as you view them from the seat..

If yours resemble 3½ tanks at all, please look inside the left to see if there are two cylindrical mounts for the shift gate bolts, as often in modern times, the bottom bracket was cut away, and the mounts "bondo'd" over.

Either way, it is only a matter of pleaseing AMCA judges, or pleaseing yourself in the meantime.

....Cotten
vipersniper
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Re: 65 pan 5 gal or 3.5 gal tanks??

#5

Post by vipersniper »

Thanks Guys it looks like they are 3.5 tanks as they are narrow, filler holes close to the edge, not triangle shape so all tilts towards 3,5.
thankyou for the help
VS
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Re: 65 pan 5 gal or 3.5 gal tanks??

#6

Post by rmcrh »

Do not forget aftermarket tanks that are approx 4 gallons
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Re: 65 pan 5 gal or 3.5 gal tanks??

#7

Post by Cotten »

rmcrh wrote:Do not forget aftermarket tanks that are approx 4 gallons
And ugly too!

But maybe that's just mine:
SUGLEFT.jpg
Somehow, they deserve affection anyway.

....Cotten
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vipersniper
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Re: 65 pan 5 gal or 3.5 gal tanks??

#8

Post by vipersniper »

Well,
Looks like I will be on the hunt for a decent 5 gallon original set, if anyone has any available please let me know.
thankyou
VS
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Re: 65 pan 5 gal or 3.5 gal tanks??

#9

Post by Badassbrutus »

I could be wrong here but did not all 65,s come with 3.5 gal tanks mine did...
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Re: 65 pan 5 gal or 3.5 gal tanks??

#10

Post by Cotten »

Badassbrutus!

My '65s had 3½ tanks too, but they were tank-shift police issues.
The vast majority had the unique first-year 5 gallon tanks, with the old style of fuel petcock with the shut-off on top.

....Cotten
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Re: 65 pan 5 gal or 3.5 gal tanks??

#11

Post by Badassbrutus »

Cotten
Thanks for clearing that up for me ,I guess the only stupid question is the one never asked.
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Re: 65 pan 5 gal or 3.5 gal tanks??

#12

Post by Bosheff »

65's were the only 5 gallon tanks to come with the old style petcock. 3 1/2 gallon tanks were also avaliable in 1965....bosheff
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Re: 65 pan 5 gal or 3.5 gal tanks??

#13

Post by Cotten »

Bosheff wrote:65's were the only 5 gallon tanks to come with the old style petcock. 3 1/2 gallon tanks were also avaliable in 1965....bosheff
Bosheff!

The 3½ tanks were produced for '66 as well, and perhaps later for all I know.
I have never compared the early '70s "Night Train" tanks for conformity, but the petcock, and its position, certainly changed twice for '66, as well as the addition of a top crossover vent, etc.

...Cotten
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Re: 65 pan 5 gal or 3.5 gal tanks??

#14

Post by Bosheff »

66's were a 1 year run with the petcock on the high side (right side). These were available in both 3 1/2 an 5 gallon versions. These are pretty rare these days. The problem with 1966 tanks as anyone that has even run them will tell you, is that all the fuel runs to the low side (left tank), when the motorcycle is resting on the kick stand. If yer lettin the motorcycle warm up while resting on the kick stand, the possibility exists of running out of gas if the fuel level is low, even though there may be gas in the left tank. This condition is magnified if you are running an extended front end, as the petcock was located to the front of the tank so as not to interfer with the carb. Also, 1966 was the 1st year of the new design petcock which the Big Twin used til 1973 or 1974. Sportsters used the new design petcock before the Big Twin....bosheff
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Re: 65 pan 5 gal or 3.5 gal tanks??

#15

Post by Cotten »

Bosheff!

Somehow they figured out the problem,
and moved it to the left tank during the later '66 production year.

....Cotten
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