Can anyone tell me if the gas tank on the 85th anniversary FXRS is numbered in anyway to match it to the bike. I recently bought this bike and I love it but the tank has a sizeable dent in it and some other minor dings and scratches. I found a good used tank at a local shop for $125 but I want to make sure that replacing the tank won't diminish the value...I'm kind of a stickler for authenticity and plan to have the tank repainted in the correct scheme with the anniversary tank emblems from Ebay but before I did, I wanted some advice.

Thanks

 

Hello and welcome to the forum...

 

Hi from the UK and welcome to HDF and the Evo world.

That bike was made in 1988, when Harley was making only around 50k bikes a year and an Anniversary version was indeed limited in numbers. Whereas in 2003 most if not all models made carried Centenary colours etc, only a small number of a few models were 85th. Your bike may well be numbered, from what I can make out there were around 850 made.

By all means buy that other tank to get you on the road, while you decide what to do with the original one.

 

When you flip your original tank over, there should/may be a date code or inspection signature to identify the tank at least belonging to that year of bike. I doubt there is a partial vin on it, just have your painter be aware of what id may be under the tank. Congrats on the bike, post a pic up when ya get a chance.

 

Thanks for the replies. I will check for the date/inspection signature. There were, as mentioned, only 850 models of my bike produced and mine is numbered 152/850. That's why I want to be careful to keep it as original as possible. It has had some engine mods and other upgrades done by the previous owner but I was provided with all of the original parts in the purchase. I'll get some pictures up here as soon as I can.

Thanks again.

 

Of course, once the tank is repainted, even to factory specs, it's no longer original.