The oddball Har-Dav Serial Number thread!

[Chris Haynes]

There are two bikes with the same number?

[c.o.]

Courtesy of Slojo......

[HarleyCreation]

I've got a drive side crankcase half that has the number 6003 DG and a belly number of 6003 DG.
I'm having trouble getting a clear enough digital photo but as soon as I do get some good ones I will post them.
Is this of interest and what you want?

I missed this post. Sorry.

Try your camera's macro feature. That helps get sharp closeups. Try not to use the flash either. Taking good serial number photos is something of an art.

I love looking at old Harley serial numbers. They're almost mystical when you consider that every one of them has a unique story behind it from the time the parts were still hot from machining in the Harley factory to when the "bus" was finally parked for the last time. ("Bus" is another Uncle Frank or Hapism I believe.)

6003-DG should be a chain-drive single from either a 1914 model 10B or 10C (two-speed). It is a good example of the earlier numbering system without the model year in the serial number. And when motor and belly numbers still matched.

Thanks

[HarleyCreation]

Here is the vin. ...bill

That's a very cool under-1000 number. A little blurry tho. If your camera has a macro setting you can get close up and still be in focus. It's good to see those antique Harley numbers and letters crisp and sharp!

[23JDCA 808]

I'd love to have a good clear photo of the serial number on 23-JDCA-808. It's a great example of an honest under "1000" number. Thanks!

Here is the vin. ...bill

[HarleyCreation]

Yep!

I have heard that numbers less than 1000 were for special applications. My 23JDCA 808 came with a hub on the output for a propeller; the fellow's father had planned to use it on a pusher ice boat. The engine had been run, so the hub may have been added at some point. There have been kits available to do this in the past. ...bill

You're right and those "special applications" were usually race or special fast motors.

1923 JDCA ("CA") motor numbering started with number "500" so you do have a special motor there.

But how does it differ from a "A" (JDA) motor???? That's what I'd like to know!

However, the motor model letters that Glaser posted were normal motors and numbers for those began with 1000; or at least should have!

I'd love to have a good clear photo of the serial number on 23-JDCA-808. It's a great example of an honest under "1000" number.

Thanks!

[23JDCA 808]

Here is the hub. 4 5/8" wide by 3 3/16" high. Brazed with six propeller mounting holes. ...bill

[23JDCA 808]

My engine had the propeller hub mounted directly to the crankshaft. Here is what a land-based unit would look like. Pilot is sitting in the propwash here. ...bill

http://www.roadandtrack.com/special_feature/wind-wagon

[Sargehere]

I have heard that numbers less than 1000 were for special applications. My 23JDCA 808 came with a hub on the output for a propeller; the fellow's father had planned to use it on a pusher ice boat. The engine had been run, so the hub may have been added at some point. There have been kits available to do this in the past. ...bill

You're referring to the light homebuilt airplane reduction gear kits, for both Henderson Fours and popular v-twins. About 2:1 gearboxes that bolted to the output sides of the engines. They were sold in "Popular Mechanics" and such magazines in the '20s and '30s. Those magnificent men in their flying machines! No doubt, many more were dreamed of, planned, and even started construction, than took to the sky in those days.
Doc Patt used to bring a Henderson motor with gearbox and propellor to National Meets. It was mounted on a stand and Doc tied it to a stout tree, and started it up!
No guard or anything on the propellor, just intelligent, self-reliant men standing around watching. Couldn't get away with that in today's litigious society. What a demo! I miss Doc; a colorful character and a veritable fount of historical information.

[23JDCA 808]

28jdl930 -- If that means "JDL" and not 28-JD-1930 (is the "l" an L or a 1?), again we run into problems. Factory numbers for JDL stamped motors started with "1000." There should not be any in the "900s." Could this motor be "28-JD-1930?"

29jda998 -- Problems here too. For 1929 no "JDA" stamped motors are listed. We have to go back to 1923 to find motors stamped "JDA" ("A" motor). And again, motor numbers in 1929 started at "1000." There shouldn't have been any in the "900s."

Are these numbers possibly spurious ones? Restamps? Blank cases stamped by Friis-Hansen or somebody else in Europe? Something that Harley did special for Europe? Whatever they are, they are flying beneath Harley's normal engine numbering radar system. Interesting problem.

I have heard that numbers less than 1000 were for special applications. My 23JDCA 808 came with a hub on the output for a propeller; the fellow's father had planned to use it on a pusher ice boat. The engine had been run, so the hub may have been added at some point. There have been kits available to do this in the past. ...bill

[Tommo]

I've got a drive side crankcase half that has the number 6003 DG and a belly number of 6003 DG.
I'm having trouble getting a clear enough digital photo but as soon as I do get some good ones I will post them.
Is this of interest and what you want?

[HarleyCreation]

Herbert, he may not be showing the last digits of these case numbers, indicated with an asterisk, so that what you are reading as 900 could be 9000?

Thanks.

That would explain the deviant numbers.

Glaser, did you not provide the full number? Do they all contain one more digit as Lonnie suggested?

[Lonnie]

Herbert, he may not be showing the last digits of these case numbers, indicated with an asterisk, so that what you are reading as 900 could be 9000?

[HarleyCreation]

If you find these numbers when you are looking,plese let me know
19R1432*
28jdl930*
29jda998*

No offense, but according to Factory data none of these three numbers conform to standard practice.

Were they stamped in Denmark or maybe some sort of weird one-offs?????

19R1432 -- There are no "R" stamped motor numbers listed for 1919.

28jdl930 -- If that means "JDL" and not 28-JD-1930 (is the "l" an L or a 1?), again we run into problems. Factory numbers for JDL stamped motors started with "1000." There should not be any in the "900s." Could this motor be "28-JD-1930?"

29jda998 -- Problems here too. For 1929 no "JDA" stamped motors are listed. We have to go back to 1923 to find motors stamped "JDA" ("A" motor). And again, motor numbers in 1929 started at "1000." There shouldn't have been any in the "900s."

Are these numbers possibly spurious ones? Restamps? Blank cases stamped by Friis-Hansen or somebody else in Europe? Something that Harley did special for Europe? Whatever they are, they are flying beneath Harley's normal engine numbering radar system. Interesting problem.

[glaser 31]

here is 2 that I have, 1 have the number : U9 555
and the other one has : K4 690
you can see them here

http://s814.photobucket.com/albums/zz69/glaser31/?action=view&current=BILD0017.jpg&newest=1

http://s814.photobucket.com/albums/zz69/glaser31/?action=view&current=BILD0019.jpg&newest=1