Finding History on Your Pan

Information about the identification and numbering of frame, motor belly, transmission and other parts
outlaw
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1952 FL
1953 FL-SOLD
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Re: Finding History on Your Pan

#16

Post by outlaw »

RUBONE wrote:If it says 52 FLH it is a typo in the register, or the owner has a re-stamped engine number. You are correct, the FLH appeared in the '55 model year.
thank you. re-stamped legal?? would you get a registration from dmv saying 52 FLHxxxx ?
El Hombre
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Re: Finding History on Your Pan

#17

Post by El Hombre »

This is a really interesting text. If records are not available for earleir bikes, does anyone know if the Forces keep records of the 45's? For example, if my WLC could be traced through the Canadian Army etc?

Cheers,
Rod
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Re: Finding History on Your Pan

#18

Post by Speeding Big Twin »

Rod, I don’t own a copy of Bruce Palmer’s 1932–52 military book but I do have some info from it. Bruce provided Canadian National Defense (CND) registration numbers issued to some 42WLCs. (I see from some of your other posts that yours is a 42.) If you’re contacting the Canadian military then maybe the CND reg numbers will help.

According to page 147, CND 42WLCs were procured under contract Can-58 and built in accordance with Canadian Military Pattern. (Can-58 also covered Canada’s 42ELCs.) According to page 148, the first batch of 42WLCs had motor numbers in the 42xxx1000 to 42xxx4800 range. These were issued CND reg numbers 41-1-2200 to 41-1-6200. The second batch of 42WLCs had motor numbers in the 42xxx10000 to 42xxx25000 range. These were issued CND reg numbers 42-1-100 to 42-1-8000.

NB: the two motor number ranges do not consist completely of WLCs as there were other models of Flathead 45 V-twins included due to them all belonging to the same engine family as each other. That’s why Bruce used xxx in the model designator position.

Another thing to note is that some of Bruce’s info may be in dispute because I know of a 42WLC engine that is way outside the two motor number ranges I posted from his book. I have a clear photo of that particular 42WLC motor number and all nine characters are the usual types for a 42WLC. And I can see nothing wrong with the number boss either. I emailed Bruce about it some time ago but received no reply.
Eric
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Re: Finding History on Your Pan

#19

Post by El Hombre »

Hi Eric,
Thanks for providing the information. My engine falls into the latter half of the group. I can see that if there were other models included, the engine number would not necessarily correspond to a chronological sequence. 42xxx10000 to 42xxx25000 = 15000 engines, whilst CND Reg no's 42-1-100 to 42-1-8000= 7990 reg no's. A difference of 7100 (hope I got this right!). Unless, the CND models consisted of a single batch, which I'm guessing is unlikely.
Nevertheless, the fact that there may be historical records is very encouraging! I am expecting a copy of Bruce's book to arrive in the next few days, so I'll have a look at the info you pointed out.
Cheers,
Rod
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