What came first?

[Lippy]

5051-15 Comparison.jpg
Here are a couple of drawings that I made of a 1915 to 1934 Harley-Davidson tail light. They, as well as 50 pages of new drawings, will be in a VL Parts Catalog that I'm working on. What I hope is that someone will know which style came first and when did the change begin. They are identical in construction except for the riveted on horizontal piece that the license plate attaches to. Thanks, Lippy

[exeric]

I believe this is the tail-light used by H-D from 1915 into circa '22.

tlb.jpg

[duffeycycles]

I think, 3 styles used 1915-1922 as Eric posted, 1923-1933 as you pictured on left only the bottom of the center should look like your right one, your right one is 1934-1938 tall box servicars & '34 singles...'34-'36 VL used a one piece bracket like '36-'38 BT

[Lippy]

I agree, that’s the same tail light on my brothers 22. But I mis-spoke in my previous text. Harley reused the 5051-15 number up to 1934. I just grabbed my 22 to 27 Spare parts catalog and it shows the above left tailing, with the number 5051-15. Used from 15 to 27. It’s hard to document the pre war motorcycles without have an unmodified original as you reference.

[Rubone]

Lippy,
If you need any parts book info I can look it up. I have most of the earlier ones too.
DCP_4752 (2).JPG

[Lippy]

Thanks for the generous offer. I have all of what you pictured. In fact I’ve scanned them all into my computer for easy access. As you know the quality of the pictures in Harley parts catalogs greatly diminished after the teen years. Those in that era were great!

[Steve Slocombe]

The 5051-15 was a back dated part number as later styles of tail light fitted earlier models as replacements. Check my JD book for references. It was used until 1933, as 1934 took the new pattern tail light for the faired-in Art Deco rear mudguard until 1938. The 1935 domed red tail light glass was also later given a back dated part number as it was intended to replace the earlier flat style.

[BigLakeBob]

I think, 3 styles used 1915-1922 as Eric posted, 1923-1933 as you pictured on left only the bottom of the center should look like your right one, your right one is 1934-1938 tall box servicars & '34 singles...'34-'36 VL used a one piece bracket like '36-'38 BT

Why only '34-'38 tall box servi cars, not small box? Did '38 servi cars not use the one piece bracket like BT? I have a '38 left fender and it has the 3 mounting holes not 2. Piecing together a '38 and trying to figure things out. Thanks.

[duffeycycles]

GD is tall box, GDT is tall box & towbar. My '38 GDT tail lights, both are '23-'33 style with a different license mount, one with optional brake light, one without. Also shown as replacement for '15-'33. Still using the 1915 part number in 1940 parts book. Yes '34-'38 small box did use the same tail light as other models '34-'38

img674.jpg 485764867_3998758127036683_5064331281001383840_n.jpg 485310067_3998758003703362_3840974711493765988_n.jpg 485153973_3998758160370013_5830188413753372522_n.jpg

[duffeycycles]

Bob, I think the tall box fenders have a different shape at the front where it meets the box.

[BigLakeBob]

image_52116.jpg image_52117.jpg This is my repop taillight from, (I believe Bud Hopkins?). Would this be correct for '38G short box? The curviture doesn't fit my fender exactly, maybe it just needs tweaked or was there a taillight for BT's and one for other models? Fender curviture the same for BT and servi's?

The fenders I bought seperately and the box was acquired seperately. Each side fender mounting holes line up to the box. Is there a way to tell if I have the correct fenders for a short box?

Sorry to hijack the thread. Thanks for any info!

Edit, just read Bruce's, should have before asking the fender question. I believe I have the correct fenders because of the valance to take up the space.

[Rubone]

Bob, I can't answer your question but the '39 up taillight is different radius back for Solo or Servi-Car use so earlier is likely as well.

[Lippy]

In my research on VL tail lights, I'm finding that a Stop Light in 1934 was a factory option when you ordered your motorcycle. If this option wasn't ordered did you receive the 5051-34 single filament version or perhaps the 5051-51?

Is my drawing and notation correct below. Number 2 drawing, then was never used on a VL?

Thanks to all, Lippy



Tail light in the 30s.jpg

[duffeycycles]

#2 is '34-'38 GD not '33-'38. They didn't offer the tall box before '34. Stoplights were an option in the US until 1939 when they became mandatory. They were not mandatory in all English speaking countries. If you look at my '38 GDT lights, one has a deeper bulb socket for the dual filament bulb. That option on the early style lights are not shown in the parts books. On '39-'46 lights show a part number for single filament & different number on dual filament & the same 2 options for the servicar with different profile. Another note is there was stamped letters on '23-'33 tailight brackets & no letters stamped on my '34-'38 GD brackets. The difference in shape of Solo lights vs shape of Servicar lights in '39 that Robbie mentioned was servicars lack of the fender flip. The fender shape was different on servicars at that point on the fenders. The lights were the same shape & part # on all twins except tall box servicar '34-'38.

[Lippy]

Thanks again to all. Here’s the stamped lettering for reference

IMG_0294.jpeg