1917 harley serial number

[joe]

hello to all does anybody know how to read the serial number on older harleys? i do know that 17 is the year and T is for a magneto motor but what about the other numbers to say is it a early or late probuction? the serial is 17T16004 thanks for any help joe j.

[HarleyCreation]

Re: 1917 harley serial number

Originally posted by joe
hello to all does anybody know how to read the serial number on older harleys? i do know that 17 is the year and T is for a magneto motor but what about the other numbers to say is it a early or late probuction? the serial is 17T16004 thanks for any help joe j.

You're confused because the factory numbering system during these years was CONFUSING.

Total production of all models together (mag. and generator) is given as 18,522 by H-D in "The Legend Begins," so "16004" would appear to be a high number -- late production. They appear to have combined all models together to get that high a number, although the layout sheet says that generator twins had a L17T motor number and the singles a 17S motor number while the mag twins had a 17T number like yours. Sidecar machines had "S" at the end of their number. Not sure all these actually appear on the crankcase, only what this gen-u-whine 1917 sheet says.

Serial numbers started at 1000 (not 1001) until the mid-1950s. Racer numbers started with 100 or 500.

[joe]

1917 serial number

hello and thank you for your help. joe