I recently picked up a 57' Pan that my uncle owned,been sitting for 20+ years. I have a title that says 57' but after tear down I located #'s on the frame(which I was told there weren't any) which tell me it is a 48' E. As soon as I get this thing back together in a couple weeks I have to produce it to the DMV to verify because the bike has an out of state title. The bike also has a tag from the state it was titled in on the down tubes which says 57". I think I may be better off filling for lost title on the 48' #'s on the frame then I have a first year pan and a title that match's the #'s? My uncle always was a ******,could talk the pope out of his funny looking hat but how did he got them to tag the frame is beyond me. OR do I leave well enough alone and just push it through and let them go off the existing tag on the down tube? Whats are you guys thinking on this or if anyone has gone through this what did you learn? Thanks

 

First question; is it a wishbone frame or a straight-leg frame?

Second, are you sure the frame number is a serial number and not a "part number"? Part numbers until recently were a 5 digit number followed by a dash and a two digit number (for year first used) then sometimes an alpha character denoting the revision level. is the "48E" in the frame number at the beginning of the number string, or at the end, following a dash?

If the "48E" is at the beginning, it would imply a serial number (although I've never seen a frame serial number from that era). If the "48E" is at the end of a number string, it would be the part number of the frame (XXXXX-48E: meaning 1948 style frame-"E" (5th) revision).

 

As above, big difference between '48 (wishbone) and '57 straight leg. I seem to recall pre-1970 the engine number was the titled one. My '41 Knuck and '49 Pan are that way. If you have a clean title for the engine and the frame doesn't have numbers on someones hot list you are probably OK. Only a small percentage of 65 year old engines are in their original frame anyway. You can check all of the numbers with a call to the local PD. I mostly do that whenever I buy something old.

 

I don't believe my 1948 Panhead had a frame number on it's wishbone frame. When I registered it in 1975 in California, it had last been registered in 1962 in North Dakota, the California highway patrol office had to inspect it, and then they put a little serial number tag on the frame down tube before they'd issue me a title and plates.

 

NICB will do free hot check on the VIN.
https://www.nicb.org/

 

Do some net research about which HP station you're going to have to take the bike too they all are not equal in how they handle things like the old bikes. Some will give it a knowledgeable look over and your good to go. Others where the inspector isn't as up or has " issues " can be a real ball buster up to impounding the bike. Seen that happen.

 

Me too.

 

Pre 70 are registered by motor number and nothing else. Out of state and funky frame number could get you nothing more than a Special Construction title (Blue Tag on motor and frame) in Kommie Kali.

You should seriously listen to Twizted re: where you go for the inspection.

 

Thank you all for the advice. I was thinking it could be a cast#. It starts with 48E then a dash and then 5 more numbers. I will definitely do my research on where I take it. The California dmv is the most dysfunctional systems I have ever seen. I was talking to someone today who also had their bike impounded. I hate the thought of these same people deciding the fate of any of my sleds. I'm not so sure I would be able to let them take anything. I will let you know how it went. Thanks again.