Panhead VIN#/Belly# Question

Information about the identification and numbering of frame, motor belly, transmission and other parts
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kevock1950
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Panhead VIN#/Belly# Question

#1

Post by kevock1950 »

Should the belly#s and VIN#s numeral font/style be matching????

For instance, if an engine case belly# has a "6" with a curved back, but the VIN# has a "6" with a straight back, is this legit?

The belly#s on the case I'm looking at match the year of the VIN, and the VIN#s seem legit, but I just noticed this difference...should I be alarmed by the difference in numeral font/style between the two? was this common?

Any info would be helpful.

Thanks.
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Re: Panhead VIN#/Belly# Question

#2

Post by Bigincher »

This is a question best answered by someone who has made a study of HD stamps, VINs, date codes, and a lot more; Speeding Big Twin.
Of course, Robbie will know the answer too. :D
kevock1950
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Re: Panhead VIN#/Belly# Question

#3

Post by kevock1950 »

Are they both on thisa forum? If not, where best to contact?
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Re: Panhead VIN#/Belly# Question

#4

Post by Bigincher »

Yes they are both active members here. Also on CAIMAG. Speeding Big Twin is in Australia, so his hours in the forum are different.
Be patient, and you'll get good definitive answers.
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Re: Panhead VIN#/Belly# Question

#5

Post by 1950Panhead »

Should the belly#s and VIN#s numeral font/style be matching????
No, they were different stamps.
For instance, if an engine case belly# has a "6" with a curved back, but the VIN# has a "6" with a straight back, is this legit?
This is normal for many years, there are exceptions.
What year? Then we can tell you what is normal.
Jerry
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Re: Panhead VIN#/Belly# Question

#6

Post by kevock1950 »

1965.

Also, did '65 cases have some kind of brass breather pipe coming out of the case between the oil pump and the case? Didn't the 1965s, and all earlier Pans for that matter, typically have a primary breather pipe that also had an integral case bolt???
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Re: Panhead VIN#/Belly# Question

#7

Post by Panacea »

http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/bboard ... ok-Project" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; There is a thread about the 65 on the AMCA forum, there are a couple pics of the case breather fitting discussed...Mike
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Re: Panhead VIN#/Belly# Question

#8

Post by UPSROD »

In the picture on post #82...the threaded hole on the back of the case accepts a pipe that turns 90 degrees and points to the ground!
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Re: Panhead VIN#/Belly# Question

#9

Post by RUBONE »

Code: Select all

 Didn't the 1965s, and all earlier Pans for that matter, typically have a primary breather pipe that also had an integral case bolt???
All '36-'64 Big twins had breathers exiting into the primary. From '65 up that was changed to atmospheric exit.
As for the earlier VIN question, as Jerry said they do not match. In fact many early '60s VINs have more than two styles of six. I have seen numbers with a different six in the year, the serial number string, and the belly number, for a total of three different sixes.
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Re: Panhead VIN#/Belly# Question

#10

Post by kevock1950 »

That is great info...and thanks for the link to the AMCA forum...super helpful.

Now, for the last "askhole" question...and perhaps a foolish one, but...

Can anyone recommend the best database/source/reference to verify if the VIN# is legit and clean? NCIB/NICB, whatever it is, is of no help...anyone have any additional sources or recommendations to assure that what Im buying is legit?
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Re: Panhead VIN#/Belly# Question

#11

Post by Speeding Big Twin »

Sometimes a character in a BN can be the same style as, or at least similar to, a character in the accompanying VIN. But often they are different.
For a 1965 model Panhead, I’d expect to see a round-back 6 in the decade position of the BN and if there are 6s in the sequence portion then I’d expect them to be a round-back style as well.

In a 1965 Panhead VIN I’d expect a straight-back 6 in the decade position and the back is usually vertical. If there are 6s in the sequence portion of the VIN then I’d expect them to also be a straight-back style but they may not be exactly the same as the 6 in the decade position.

The sequence portion of the VIN should comply with the 1960–69 even-odd code and if you’re not sure how that works we can tell you. (The E-O code does not apply to the BN.)

If the VIN is FL then there may be a sans serif 7 stamped on top of the case near the hole for the rear engine mounting bolt. If the VIN is FLH then there may be a sans serif capital H stamped there.

But even if you think the case now appears to check out okay, we really need clear pictures of everything to see if the markings look authentic. If you’re concerned about revealing the full VIN and/or the full BN then you could cover a few characters.
Eric
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Re: Panhead VIN#/Belly# Question

#12

Post by Bigincher »

kevock1950 wrote:........Can anyone recommend the best database/source/reference to verify if the VIN# is legit and clean?
Yes. You are already there.
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Re: Panhead VIN#/Belly# Question

#13

Post by kevock1950 »

It is an FL motor...can you specify exactly where on the rear motor mount area I would see this sans serif "7"????

As in which hole? Cam side motor mount hole? Primary side mm hole?

I will try to post a pic of the VIN# boss....
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Re: Panhead VIN#/Belly# Question

#14

Post by kevock1950 »

See pic....
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Re: Panhead VIN#/Belly# Question

#15

Post by Speeding Big Twin »

kevock1950 wrote:See pic....
You posted a picture? I don't see it.

The photo below shows where to look for the 7 that I mentioned.
Eric
7s_zps83273a6d.jpg
7s_zps83273a6d.jpg (125.46 KiB) Viewed 3531 times
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