Handlebars

Speeding Big Twin
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Re: Handlebars

#16

Post by Speeding Big Twin »

You’re welcome and there’s no need to be sorry about anything. The additional ID is something I’ve been tracking for some time in an effort to determine what letter(s) applied to what model year(s). It’s mentioned in a few publications as far back as a CHP document published circa 1971 but it seems that although the police may have been supplied info by H-D, it was not checked by anybody in particular at the factory because some of it does not stand up to scrutiny.

And while we’re on the subject of additional ID, I’m wondering if it may be on your trans case because you mentioned in another thread that your trans was 1960. Is that because it has a 1960 date code? Some trans cases cast in 1960 weren’t used straight away and my own transmission is a good example because although it was cast in Oct 1960 (date code 10 60) it has additional ID indicating a 1962 model trans. And I know of one cast in August 1960 that also has additional ID for 1962. What’s the date code on your trans case? And have a look at the front of the case; if the ID is present it will be stamped up high and just below where the lid attaches.
Eric
fatfatboy
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Re: Handlebars

#17

Post by fatfatboy »

I checked the tranny and the only numbers I could find were underneath.

Image

There's the 6 59 in the raised area. Then the 1 E to the right of that with 12 1 underneath the raised area.

As you can tell I had to have the tranny welded because the buttom lug was busted off.
Panacea
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Re: Handlebars

#18

Post by Panacea »

The numbers you are looking for are on the front right side of the tranny case. Mine are upside down...
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Speeding Big Twin
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Re: Handlebars

#19

Post by Speeding Big Twin »

Date code 6 59 indicates the case was cast in June 1959 and the case may have been used as a 1960 model or a 1961 model. It’s probably unlikely it was used for 1962 so I wouldn’t expect it to have additional ID stamped on the front. But stranger things have happened. 8)

The best guess I and a few others have regarding the indented 1 E is that it may have been done by an inspector. Some cases have a lone 1, some have 2 E and some have a lone 2. For reasons unknown, E usually appears only on cases cast in later-1949 and later.

Indented 121 is part of casting number 121-35. It may have first appeared on trans cases for the 1936 prototype Knuckleheads that had 1935-stamped serial numbers on the engine. It was then used for trans cases for 1936–47 production Knuckleheads, 1937–48 Big Twin Flatheads and 1948–early-64 Panheads even though there were a few changes to the casting itself over the 1936--early-64 period. For later-64 Panheads the casting changed again but this time the casting number also changed, becoming 34703 64. For 1965 Panheads the casting changed once more and the casting number became 34703 65.
Eric
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Re: Handlebars

#20

Post by fatfatboy »

Speeding Big Twin wrote:Date code 6 59 indicates the case was cast in June 1959 and the case may have been used as a 1960 model or a 1961 model.

Eric
Thats adds up as the motor is a 1960. I believe the feller that I got the bike said the motor and tranny came together to him on another frame from another family member.
It was on a rigid frame in the 70's.
When he started the rebuild he ditched rigid and bought the frame I have now.

Unfortunately his body just got to old and a gal got in the way for him to get the project completed. It sat apart in his basement for 17 years.
fatfatboy
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Re: Handlebars

#21

Post by fatfatboy »

Can anyone please tell me when looking for bars how I can tell the difference between OEM bars and old repops?

Are OEM bars stamped with any numbers that would confirm they are OEM?

Thank you.
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