Harley 32E details

[MMasa]

When did the scallop towards the front (gear end) of the body of 32E's start? It looks like it started out as a shallow machined radius and then evolved into a cast in feature. Any approximate years as to when these changes happened?
Thanks
Mark Masa

[Sargehere]

The relief I think you're talking about was necessitated by the design of the front exhaust valve cover on the UL, beginning in 1937. The "flat," cut into one place on the gear end.

[Steve Slocombe]

The 1937/8 ULs used the VL valve covers with the new 1/4" higher top section, so I've always reckoned the generator cutout started in 1939 when the tool for the new style valve covers had to clear the generator to get at the front cover. However, I see the 1941 accessory catalog still shows the two VL valve cover wrenches in the tool kits for all 1937-41 Big Twins.

[vph-d]

I'm thinking 1939, because of the new style covers on the big side valves.
VPH-D