Tweet
I am trying to accurately pin down the year that a change was made to a frame part of a big twin HD. The part is the stiffener brace that runs from the rear engine mount/ seat post to the rear trans mount. There was a change made sometime before or on 1940 to the end of this 2 piece , pressed plate that wrapped around the seat post. I know from my research to date that prior to1940 the two top fingers of this bracket were straight in their profile. I think it must be around 1939 or 1940 it changed to a tapered profile. I have worked on two 1940 frames recently. One early ,one late and both have the tapered tangs. I have attached a picture of the change. The part in question is directly below the hilite arrows.
-
-
Sorry the picture wont stick. It is 108 KB 640 x 480 The pop up screen says it's to big for this forum. This is the lowest setting on my camera. -
FRAMEMAKER,Just put the pic in paint and make it smaller so you can post it,I had the same problem and after proper sizing np! Good Luck if you ned help just shout!Comment
-
OK I hope the picture sticks this time. If it does ....can anyone accurately tell me when it happened. "See my original post above". Thanks to Paul Edwards for the size restriction info.
Regards SteveComment
-
My 39EL frame, VIN just under 2000, is of the early type.Comment
-
Thanks Koanes. If your bike is under 2000 VIN, that would make it an early bike??. I do not intend to offend you by the next question but, would like to make my information as refutable as possible.
Do you know if your bike is still in original / as it was shipped from the factory condition?.
Thanks in advance
SteveComment
-
Thanks Steve- I'll buzz Carl and Matt. Danny Lim?
Wish Bruce Lindsay had email...
Someones got a couple 40s laying around -I'm certain. We'll get some sort of general survey going here hopefully. Give me a little time to rattle a few cages.Comment
-
Thanks.
If Koanes bike can be verified then it would seem that the change was made during 1939. I have worked on a couple of early 1940 frames of late "one is still here in the workshop" and they both have the tapered tangs. I identified these 2 frames as early 1940 because they still have the EL top engine mount.
Regards SteveComment
-
My 39 has a rich history as it was raced as a TT machine in the late 40's, but aside from the transmission having been changed to the better shifting 40-later trans everything else was as it left the factory. Of course the fenders were bobbed and a racing exhaust was mounted.Comment
-
Hi Koanes
Thanks for starting the information. Your bike sounds interesting.
Would be good to verify this fact from a couple more early 39's. Any one got a middle or late 39 that was put together by the factory? . It can be easily seen with out removing any part by looking past the oil pump. It is on the top side of the upper cross brace
SteveComment
-
I know a couple of guys w/ 39s who have email so I'll get them to read this tread via that link middle bottom of thread "send this page to someone".
Hey Koanes- a photo would be nice after a warm up like that.Comment
-
There are a few pictures of the 39 here: http://groups.msn.com/amklyde/bobbers.msnw?albumlist=2 I rode this bike hard for ten yrs and everything started to wear out so I took it apart. The only things I changed were oil, tires and chains. And I did change the tailite from the old crocker style to a repop tombstone after the second time I was pulled over for a dim tailite. (Is that alchohol I smell on your breath?). Of course those were the days before a BAC of .008 was a felony, punishible by torture, imprisonment and possibly hanging. I intended to restore my trusty ride and have collected the parts to do so, but I think I will just bolt it back together with fresh mechanicals and ride it.Comment
-
Koanes
Looks like a toolbox bracket on the left side. Your bike might of started life as a police or escort bike.
SteveComment
-
39 knuck frame
here is another 39 frame . I hope this helps solve the mystery.Comment
-
Something wrong w/ Palmers attachment. So I'll get it sent to me and repost.
Nice ride Koanes. I really like period mod. But 39s are truely a thing of beauty.
Tough call.Comment
Comment