1912 Harley twin

[Ian Biddle]

Can anyone tell me please; what is the meaning of the letter B suffix following the four digits on a 1912 twin motor? Eg 1234B. Thanks

[talbot-2]

Can anyone tell me please; what is the meaning of the letter B suffix following the four digits on a 1912 twin motor? Eg 1234B. Thanks

The "B" denotes the year of the motorcycle, i.e., 1912. 1911 had an "A" following the number. "C", 1913, etc.

[Ian Biddle]

Thanks for that, easy when you know. My next question is; How come my original paint 1913 9B has the suffix D? Made in December maybe?

[Ian Biddle]

I was getting worried so I googled it and from the America on the Move site: http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthem...bject_304.html

"Harley-Davidson model 9-B motorcycle, from the Smithsonian Collection; The museum's 1913 Harley-Davidson, bearing engine number 4336-D and known as the Model 9-B."

So thats another 1913 9B with a D suffix. I don't feel so bad now. Is the comment valid then that a B suffix means 1912, C is 1913 and D is 1914? I know its not an exact science.

[duffeycycles]

single-chain drive-28"-magneto-4.34H.P.3-5/16 bore

[duffeycycles]

data.jpgsingle chain is key

[Ian Biddle]

Excellent link, thank you Mr Duffey. So the B confirms 1912 but doesn't help with model designation and C is only one of several 1913 suffixes. And it confirms that the D suffix on a 9B is correct for '13.

Thanks I appreciate you taking the trouble. I'll try and find that Egan publication now.

Cheers, Ian