Start numbers for H-DŽ serial numbers (SNs)

[Rubone]

Hi Eric,
This is a copy of a document I recently acquired with specifications for the '51 model year 74" models. This is page two showing the engine numbers start at 1000. I also have one for the '54 model "G" with the same info, 1000. 1951 production number start.jpg

[Speeding Big Twin]

Thanks Duffey.

Cheers Mark.

Robbie, thanks for that document. Is it possible to read what these Xs were typed over? Could it be 1950? I’m wondering if they used the same document for more than one year and updated it in the applicable areas when necessary?
Eric

[jim d]

I have a Sportster from the 60s even number year serial number 2000.

[Steve Slocombe]

Dear Eric, I'm interested but all your postings come up Content Not Viewable in Your Region. Do you have an alternative format?

[Speeding Big Twin]

I have a Sportster from the 60s even number year serial number 2000.

Thanks Jim. Even though HarleyŽ SNs for 1960s models complied with the E-O code there may have been at least one difference between start numbers for the SportsterŽ and Big Twin during that period and it may have happened with an odd model year: 1965. SNs for 1965 Big Twins began at 1001 as I mentioned above but SNs for 1965 SportstersŽ may have started at 1002 although I do not know why and I have not seen supporting evidence from the factory.

For even years in the 1960s the start numbers for the SportsterŽ and Big Twin may have been the same as each other. And if that is true then it would suggest that your bike may be a 60, 64, 66 or 68, as opposed to a 62, because the lowest SN for a 62 SportsterŽ may have been 2001 like it was for a 62 Big Twin.
Eric

[Speeding Big Twin]

Dear Eric, I'm interested but all your postings come up Content Not Viewable in Your Region. Do you have an alternative format?

I’m using a hosting site for the photos and/or images I post here, the idea being that everyone should be able to see them regardless of whether they are logged into the forum or not because I know in the past that a few people have had trouble viewing photos even when they are logged in. The hosting site is imgur.com and it hasn’t presented a problem yet so I don’t know why the content is not viewable in the UK. I don’t know what alternative format I could use. Do you have any suggestions? And have you tried contacting your ISP?
Eric

[exeric]

Thanks for posting that gem of a document, Robbie.

[Rubone]

Thanks Duffey.

Cheers Mark.

Robbie, thanks for that document. Is it possible to read what these Xs were typed over? Could it be 1950? I’m wondering if they used the same document for more than one year and updated it in the applicable areas when necessary?
Eric

In bright light it does appear to be 1950 Eric. Interestingly on another page of the document it looks like '48 and '49 are listed. The folder they were in is age appropriate and the blackout and revision as well as the poor copy speaks of period mimeograph.

[Speeding Big Twin]

Thanks Robbie.
Eric

[KNUCK]

Papers like this are priceless. Thanks for all you do.

[HarleyCreation]

This has long been a pet peeve of mine. It's amazing how many otherwise talented H-D enthusiasts, including some of the best museums, get this critical detail wrong. Thanks for posting this key documentation.

[Chris Haynes]

[FONT=Arial]Another model year where there has been confusion is 1954. In 1977 the owner of 54KH1001 received a written reply from H-DŽ saying their records showed that his motorcycle was ‘the first one produced in 1954 of the KH series.’

You have to remember that all bikes in the same series share the same group of serial numbers. So there could be a 54K1000 or 54KHRM1000, or 54KHK1000. So 54KH1001 could actually be the first KH produced that year.

[Rubone]

You have to remember that all bikes in the same series share the same group of serial numbers. So there could be a 54K1000 or 54KHRM1000, or 54KHK1000. So 54KH1001 could actually be the first KH produced that year.

Actually probably not a KHK at that number since it was a later release, but we get your point.

[Speeding Big Twin]

This has long been a pet peeve of mine. It's amazing how many otherwise talented H-D enthusiasts, including some of the best museums, get this critical detail wrong. Thanks for posting this key documentation.

Cheers Herb. You and I have discussed start numbers several times over the years and on occasion we’ve even run into the same opponent(s).

Do you have any literature you could add to this thread? If so it would be much appreciated. For obvious reasons two model layout sheets that I’m chasing in particular are for 1956 and 57.

Another interesting layout sheet to see posted would be for 1925 because not only does it mention start number 1000 for motors and frames but it also says crankcase numbers (BNs) begin at 1000 (25-1000). Thanks.
Eric

[Speeding Big Twin]

You have to remember that all bikes in the same series share the same group of serial numbers. So there could be a 54K1000 or 54KHRM1000, or 54KHK1000. So 54KH1001 could actually be the first KH produced that year.

I have to remember? In my posts I mentioned more than once about what happened with SNs for each engine family and the same point is clearly made in documentation above.



The 1977 letter from H-DŽ refers to 54KH1001 as: ‘the first one produced in 1954 of the KH series.’
And at times the letter has been used to suggest that 1954 SNs for that engine family (KH, KR etc) began at 1001. But what did the letter mean by KH series? Was there a series of 54KHs? I don’t think so. I think for 1954 there was a K-series (KH, KR etc) but I do not think there was a series of 1954 KHs.

The lowest SN for a 54KH could have been 1001 but SNs for the 1954 K-series started at 1000. And again when I say K-series I’m referring to all the different models in that engine family.
Eric