Need help ID'ing and valuation...45 transmission

[oldbikesrcool]

My dad's cousin (would that be my 2nd uncle?) passed away and left my 2nd cousin with some 45 pieces and parts. Among the parts is a 3-speed transmission with reverse that was rebuilt and waiting to be installed in one of his project builds. He's trying to identify it for valuation purposes and to hopefully not get railroaded on an asking price. I'm more familiar with later XL stuff and therefore not able to provide him an even ballpark figure for it. Would anyone be kind enough to take a gander and offer a possible year of manufacture and reasonable pricing range?
(Pics attached).
Thanks in advance!
-Galen

[Paps]

That is a Big Twin transmission, not a 45. Paps

[pete reeves]

Galen.
It’s a big twin transmission probably 1941.The 3 speed would be worth less than a 4 speed, I have seen good 3 speeds sell between $500 & $900 although I have seen them advertised for a lot more.

Pete reeves 860

[Chris Haynes]

I have seen 3&R transmissions go for $1,500.00 or more on eBay.

[oldbikesrcool]

Ah, I see. Its a big twin tranny then. Thanks for effort ya' all.
Do the numbers help to identify anything? What are obvious things that identify it as a '41, etc?
-Galen

[1776J]

Ah, I see. Its a big twin tranny then. Thanks for effort ya' all.
Do the numbers help to identify anything? What are obvious things that identify it as a '41, etc?
-Galen

3 bolt mounting instead of two,.... that's one thing to look for. I believe 3 bolts came out in 1940 or 1941.

[Paps]

The cast in data plate in pic two says it is a 41 and manufactured in the month of December, L being December, 1 being 1941.

[Chris Haynes]

The cast in data plate in pic two says it is a 41 and manufactured in the month of December, L being December, 1 being 1941.

L is November as the letter i was skipped.

[Jerry Wieland]

I'd bet my next paycheck it is December of 51. Down pointed shift lever and later kick arm. Easy to tell however. 1941 would still have the bronze insert for the 5th bolt and 1951 would have steel plus the leftside where the shift arm is will have the bosses for the screws flattened.

Jerry

[oldbikesrcool]

Thanks all.
So, it could be either a late year '41 or '51 with one of the main differences being downward or upward shift lever? By the way, which is the 5th bolt you're referring to regarding bronze or steel insert?
-Galen

[Chris Haynes]

The number codes had changed by 1951. A November 1951 case would be marked L 51. Also note that it has both Knucklehead type kicker cover and transmission lid, not
Panhead.

[Jerry Wieland]

Galen If you tip the tranny on its' top and look at the bottom there is a raised boss on the kicker end. There will be a steel or bronze 3/8" threaded insert in it.

Jerry

[Paps]

OOPS My sight is going fast. I seem to have lost an I.

[bmh]

I've seen the same two or three people lugging around the same three speed trannies to meets for the past three or four years with the same asking prices of $1800-$2000. Judging by the lack of a sale I would say those prices are too much. What I don't understand is why the owners of these pieces won't see it that way. Some people . Another thing to look for Galen is if the tranny left the factory as a three speed with reverse there should be an "R" stamped in the shift cover.

[oldbikesrcool]

Thanks most kindly all, -
I'll relay this thread in it's entirety to my kin.
This forum has an exceptional wealth of knowledge...long may it endure!
-Galen