Spring fork forging numbers

[Slojo]

Does anyone have the spring fork forging number farthest to the right understood as to what year a spring fork is correctly used on which year H.D.springers?

I have seen numbers 3 to 19 with three distinct different spring fork forgings used on the forks that I have just compared. 1937 is the year that concerns me currently, would the number 3 or 4 be proper on a 37?

Joe

[46EL]

I just looked at a very original 39 basketcase and the front leg has a 9 all the way to the right. I'm sure the 9 probably does not correspond with the 9 in 39? Thinking 36's had 1 or 2 and a 48 Springer I recently sold had a 20 it seems about right? I could be wrong though?? 46EL

[oldsouthmcy]

Joe,

At this time it appears that #2 was used for late-1936 through late-1937. #3 appears to have come in very late 1937 and was used into 1939. #4 was used from 1939 into 1940 with #5 being used late 1940 & maybe very-early 1941. Both #1 & #5 were short lived forgings. With as few #1s used (the average forging stamp life appears to be around 12500 forgings), #1 forging stamps may have broken before their time or the #1 forging was defective. #5 was short lived because of a design chage appearing on the #6, a notch on the number side.

#20 is the highest number.

Bruce

[46EL]

Joe,

At this time it appears that #2 was used for late-1936 through late-1937. #3 appears to have come in very late 1937 and was used into 1939. #4 was used from 1939 into 1940 with #5 being used late 1940 & maybe very-early 1941. Both #1 & #5 were short lived forgings. With as few #1s used (the average forging stamp life appears to be around 12500 forgings), #1 forging stamps may have broken before their time or the #1 forging was defective. #5 was short lived because of a design chage appearing on the #6, a notch on the number side.

#20 is the highest number.

Bruce

Bruce- I think you are right. After cleaning my glasses and some of the crud off the 39 Front Leg it does not have a 9 it is a 4.
I also noticed I have a brazed inline with outside grease fittings with inside bosses and that front leg reads a
nice clean crisp 6 and has the notch you mention. That one came with a 41 to?? earlier type brazed frame I recently got.
I also just noticed the 46EL basket i'm trying to throw together has an offset with a #3 front leg which is definately incorrect.
I'm wondering what a mid year 46 would have being somewhat close in age to the 1948 #20?? Something in the mid teens I suspect? 46EL

[exeric]

I posted this awhile back, hoping to identify shape to year. I understand the last number refers to forging dies and the shapes will have subtle changes. Are there other shapes besides these?

[Matt McManus]

My 41EL199X has a 6 on the front leg and my 48EL702X has a 19 both are original bikes not pieced together. I think a 37 would have a 2 or maybe a 3 if it has a late VIN.

[koanes]

The 37 fork I have that was on an original chassis has #2, I have another 37 fork that has #4 and still uses the early tubes that have the sharper radius at the at the flat pressed into the back of the tube. Just had a look at my original 39EL fork and it is #4.

[Slojo]

Thank you all for the information.

The AMCA forum had me locked out from posting for a few days. Gary the web master resolved the issue, thank you Gary.

Now, I have a number 3, 4 and 7 front spring fork and would like a number 2 for a current project now underway, anyone interested?

Joe

[Schorsch]

#3 front fork

Hi Joe , search a front fork with # 3 !!! Do you have one available for sell ? Georg
AMCA # 2781 email me to: schorsch.lutzenberger@t-online.de

[Slojo]

Just returned from a trip to Jefferson PA, the last AMCA meet of the year. I examined a front spring fork with a number two (2) embossed on the forging. This fork was a VL fork without the holes and bosses for the ride control mounting. I took a couple of photos on my cell phone but don't think the resolution is good enough for displaying on this site.

Joe

[Bills48UL]

I recently bought a offset springer with the casting number XC-15A on the rigid leg could anybody help me with identifying the year?

[exeric]

I recently bought a offset springer with the casting number XC-15A on the rigid leg could anybody help me with identifying the year?

Are you sure that number is on the rigid leg, and if so, where? I say that because I have an offset with a 15 on the spring fork. That spring fork forging also has the notch to clear the steering damper detent on the rigid fork. Regardless of all that stuff, it is my understanding that an offset rigid with a 15 on the spring fork is circa mid 1946 and a later. Also, the rigid fork should not have a lock hole in the neck stem.

[Chris Haynes]

I recently bought a offset springer with the casting number XC-15A on the rigid leg could anybody help me with identifying the year?

What part of a rigid fork is cast?

[oldsouthmcy]

Bill is referring to the spring rod ball perch forging on the rigid leg. Its forging number can be seen on the underside of the forging. I have not looked at this forging's number too much since there are so many other details which point out the year.

Bill, The main way to date offset fork rigid legs is by looking at the neck stem, the one with a steering head lock hole in the neck stem is 1948 and the one without is mid-1946 through 1947.

There may be an early/late 48 off-set rigid leg. I will try to take a look through things today and get back with everyone on that.

Below is a photo of the forging number and hallmark from a 1948 fork.

1948 off-set (7).jpg1948 off-set (8).jpg

[T. Cotten]

Folks,

Can anyone tell me if the hallmarks on forks stand for "Great Lakes Forge", or "Giddings&Lewis"?

Thanks in advance as always,

....Cotten