Early Harley WL valve spring covers

[Jerry Wieland]

Can anybody id and give the vintage of these early WL, DL or RL or possibly B or C single valve spring covers.

Thanks Jerry

[Johnny]

The cover on the left is #174-31 and has 6 flats (1931 to 1952 - 45" twins).
The cover in the middle is #174-30A and has 8 flats (1930 - 45" twins only).
The cover on the right is #174-26 and has 8 flats (1926 to 1934 - singles, 1929 - 45" twins).

That's according the the spare parts books; however, part #174-30A has shown up on unrestored 1929 DL models, so who knows exactly when it was first used.

[Jerry Wieland]

Johnny Just the guy I was hoping to chime in. Do you think that 174-31 (the one on the left) actually goes to 52. It still has the little lip on the bottom that most later 45 covers do not.

Thanks Jerry

[Johnny]

Jerry,
Actually, lower valve cover #174-31 originally had 8 flats, a small lip at the bottom and was used from 1931 to 1937.
According to Bruce Palmer's book, the cover with 8 flats and no lip was used from 1938 to mid-1943, and the cover with six flats and no lip was used from late 1943 to 1973.