Correct Carb Please Advise

[Fred]

The Engine # For my 49 Pan is 49FL7267 The horn
mounts are flattened but not rounded. I assume
this makes it a late 49???? What is the correct carb
M-36 or M45
If the bike were judged what would one look for to be sure
I have a M 45 it did not come on the bike when I got it several
years ago it had a74B which is wrong. you mentioned the
cast manifold how can I ID what I have
This is a copy of the same question
on hydra-glide forum
Things like this really bug me
Does someone have a pan with a simular
serial# that they know is original
BTW the manifold "is" cast iron

[T. Cotten]

Sorry for this late reply.

Your castiron manifold will undoubtedly receive rebukes from AMCA judges, no matter what reality may have been. Documentation is, to say the least, so rare that anything of question might be dismissed by "experts".

If I were forced to draw the line, it would be hard to discredit either an M36 or an M45.

Only a judge with a personal agenda would declare either way, without bold and credible references to support the decision.

From my experience, I must point out that M36s far outnumber the M45s. If you have a 'late' one, display it with pride.

And above all, punish it severely with many, many miles of service.


...Cotten