45 Frame question

[SWit]

Working on a project bike. Engine is a 42 WLA . I'm building it as a custom for my first motorcycle project.
Question is the frame has coil mount blocks like a 48. I'm assuming the frame is a 48 or newer. I spent a good part of my day at Rhinebeck looking at 3 '42 WLA's and one 41 WLD. The wld was a very original bike.
So what can I look for to try to identify what year the frame really is? There's some numbers at the neck area. Are there any date codes on the frames?
I know about the coil blocks but are there any other changes I need to know about?
Thanks for any educated answers from those who know.

[Jerry Wieland]

The clutch cable bracket on the seatpost is 2 hole earlier and 3 hole later - I do not remember the exact split. There is also I believe a way to tell if it is WLA by the tabs near the top of the seatpost.

[Sargehere]

Basically, everything you're asking about is in "the bible" of what we're doing, here: "How to Restore Your Harley-Davidson," by Bruce Palmer III. But don't pay a jacked-up price for it (come sellers have no scruples at all) because it's currently under revision, and will come out again, "soon."

But the copies that are currently available cover A to Z most all you'll ever need to learn about how to identify the vintage of various parts, and what-goes-with-what. Best at this point might be to look over someone's shoulder who has a copy. Or keep asking questions, here. I don't have my own copy with me here, or I'd give you the skinny. Perhaps someone withh a copy handy will enlighten us.

[SWit]

The clutch cable bracket on the seatpost is 2 hole earlier and 3 hole later - I do not remember the exact split. There is also I believe a way to tell if it is WLA by the tabs near the top of the seatpost.

Thanks Jerry, Your answer was very helpful. I only see two holes on the clutch brkt . I also do have a tab at the top of the post.

[SWit]

Thanks for your info

[Rubone]

How high is the serial number on your WLA? The two hole clutch mount is correct. The small tab by the seat post is for the ground wire. There should be a bigger tab further back on the right side upper in front of the cross brace for the toolbox mounting plate. There are only extra tabs on the left for late production WLAs. What year are your belly numbers?
And does your frame have three mounting points for the gearbox? (lower casting should have a tab on the right side)