what is the best way to find information on a motorcycle and its history?

[steve pan pizza]

My1961Harley-Davidson Tank Shift FL has lots of stories and photos over the years, but what are some of best ways to try and authenticate this bike? It is believed to be a police bike. I look forward to hearing from any ideas.

[sprglde]

I have title and reg history requests pending with the Ohio bmv that my insurance agent submitted for me to validate my Ohio cop bike history also. They did it for valuation for insuring. Certain businesses can request that info but we can't, it's considered private and protected.

[Chris Haynes]

If it was a Police model it would have some Police only parts on it. Such as fan cooled generator and high output battery box and oil tank. Police bikes in CA for this era had ne steering damper and the top nut on the fork stel had two tapped holes in it for a stainless cover. Most Police bikes had no tank emblems. A different stud for the bottom left shock mount for siren mounting. Sometimes an extra switch on the handlebars for pursuit lamps. Often Police opted for FL models instead of FLH. There should be tell tale signs.