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How do you i.d. a jd frame as far as year and motor twin or single?
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Cool frame numbers....
1927 and earlier frames are marked with the year and production/serial number. That goes back to at least 1917. They only made a "JD" (pocket-valve) single until 1918 and the frame was the same for both singles and twins I do believe.Originally posted by toddjg4036 View Post -
Not all frames were stamped with numbers like the motors were. Some used tags attached to the frame in front of the seat post hole; these tags get lost.Bill Gilbert in OregonComment
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Do you know which model years those were? Or were tag numbers done differently than on a model year basis?Originally posted by 23JDCA 808 View PostComment
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Are the 61 inch j models the same frame as jd ?Comment
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I would like to see a picture of the numbers is front of the seat post. The only ones I have ever seen were on the rear side of the seat post and on the flat bar that is solder to the top frame tube. Most of the flat bar's have come off due to the solder coming loose.I have owned two 1917 HD frame that had the numbers on them. I have one now. I have owned many J, JD frames and not any had numbers on them.If it was easyer to put pictures on here I would but it' a pain, now.Comment
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Here is the number on my 1927.
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Yes, but we'd have to check every year to be certain. Are you interested any given year? We can consult the Oracle...Originally posted by toddjg4036 View PostComment
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What model years did they solder on the bar/tag with the number? That would be good to know. Does the 1917 frame have a stamped number or soldered-on bar number?Originally posted by marsh1915hd View Post
Thanks!Comment
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Both 17's have the number stamped into the soldered on flat bar. Yes, it would be good to know what model years they stamped the number on the tank strip. All the J-JD frames that I have owned had the number strip gone or rusted away. were not put on very good. Thanks for the picture Chris but I was thinking 1924 and back. I do have a 1926 frame with numbers just like your. I have two 1930 frames with no numbers.Comment
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toddjg to try and answer your question briefly is difficult but here's some pointers that may help.
As far as singles go it depends what ones you're talking about, the ones that finished in 1918 or the ones that started in 1926.
Twins, 1924 and earlier had "LOOP" style frames and 1925 and later the "Cast Shoe" under the motor. Of the cast shoe type frame there are 3 basic variations and these differences were discussed extensively somewhere on this forum at an earlier time.
As far as I'm aware all J's and JD's used the same frame but at different stages JD's used different forks to those fitted to J's. Once again this was discussed at length on this site.
The 1926 and later single and 750cc twin frame is lighter in construction to the big twin frame and the easiest way to tell is the smaller head stem hole for the front forks. 7/8 of an inch head stem on the single frame and 1 1/8 for the J /JD frame.
Please note this is just the basics to try and help you ID a frame and if you need more detailed info I would hope someone more computor savvy than me can direct you to the previous discussions that occured on this forum on this topic.Peter Thomson, a.k.a. Tommo
A.M.C.A. # 2777
Palmerston North, New Zealand.Comment
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Sounds like the early ones then had the soldered-on number plate and the later ones stamped on the frame. From my data it doesn't look like the 1930 models had frame numbers.Originally posted by marsh1915hd View PostComment
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Herb
The strip is the soldered on tank support rail that loop frames had. This is another issue that was discussed at length sometime in the past.
I've seen numbers stamped on that rail as early as 1916 and when repairing a 1919 frame the numbers were found when cleaning the solder off the main frame tube.
It seems sometimes the numbers were stamped on before the tank rail was soldered on and some were on the tank rail after it had been soldered on. I've never seen any with numbers on both the frame tube and tank rail.
It's a shame that I never bothered to photograph any of these details but at the time I didn't think it was important.
Numbers on big twins always seem to be found on the top frame tube between the seat post tube and the front seat mount bracket. Flat Twins are stamped on the machined face of the motor mount casting and some but not all 1926 on singles have the numbers stamped into the right side of the seat post casting. Some WLA/WLC Harleys also have numbers stamped on the right side of the seat post casting but nobody seems to know exactly what they mean. They may be order numbers,delivery destination, who knows what but generally you only find them once the paint is cleared off. I'm pretty sure they are not a frame number.Peter Thomson, a.k.a. Tommo
A.M.C.A. # 2777
Palmerston North, New Zealand.Comment
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Tommo:
Many thanks. I'm taking notes. It's tough to sort out the various numbering issues without a few tons of old parts on hand. I don't have an early loop frame to consult.
It would help to see a photo of the soldered-on tank support with a frame number on it.
Sounds like '16s may have had frame numbers but Harley doesn't mention that in what I have -- but does mention frame numbers for 1917 thru '27.Comment
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