The oddball Har-Dav Serial Number thread!

[HarleyCreation]

Can we?

Can we get a peek at the belly number for "F-12339-H"?

That would help tell us if H-D routinely dropped the letter prefix on the belly number (as on Joe's "H" prefix motor) or maybe sometimes left it on. c1912-1914 Harleys are still mystery years regarding serial numbering.

Details like this will add to a more complete data base over time, possibly leading to a guidebook of sorts.

Thanks.

[HarleyCreation]

What about this One ?

Pete Reeves 860

Excellent "F" prefix & "H" suffix motor!

Can you also post the belly number too?

(I think we know this one.)

Thanks.

[pete reeves]

What about this One ?

Pete Reeves 860

[HarleyCreation]

Why drop letter on belly number?

After seeing a good closeup of the side numbers in conjunction with the belly numbers, they sure appear factory. I still am a little perplexed with the H prefix. The numbers must have been stamped on a Friday with the skewing, but I suppose anytime you enter in the human element, you enter in variables.

I agree that this "H" prefix motor is original and authentic and don't know what it means either. But it means something!

Notice how the "H" prefix was NOT included on the belly numbers, but only the suffix letter.

What was Harley's reasoning for dropping it like that?

Do you have or know of any other letter prefix engine in existence from this period? If so, did they drop the letter prefix from the belly number like on this "H-7762-H" motor?

[HarleyCreation]

I'm starting a new thread so not to clog Joe's Cannonball thread. But please feel free to post about any other vintage Harley-Davidson model or serial number you don't understand or can't figure out. Photos would be a BIG help.

RE: Joe's 1914 "H-7762-H" Twin motor

Joe, thanks much for posting pix of motor's belly numbers. Your motor has added to our knowledge about H-D numbering.

Joe said: "This 1914 engine case in question has not been modified. I was told that the H stood for fortruck, A three wheeler with two wheels and a basket or box of some sort in front (True or false I don't know)."

But I don't think it's a Harley "Truck" forecar motor and here's why:

Orig. H-D data notes state:

For 1914:
"Mod. 10-G (Truck forecar): Number followed by EH or H preceeded by T, Two speed forecar."

For 1915:
Mod. 11-G (Truck forecar): "T" prefix = "Truck w/Bosch mag.
Mod. 11-G (Truck forecar): "LT" prefix = "Truck w/Remy gen.

"T" and "LT" was the Truck prefix.

I don't know what the "H" prefix means. Only that I believe that it's original to that motor and meant something to Harley-D, so it's important to us too. Maybe in time we can figure it out. Sure hope so.