Thanks for all the input. Seems to be fairly conclusive that the frame is a 1977 with the liklihood that the neck was replaced at some point in time. I did remeasure the rear blocks with the two holes mounted on the rear downtubes and they are 3/4" thick and 2-1/2" tall and 1" wide. With no VIN number it appears I'll have to get a assembly title to use it. Thanks again.

Mark

 

Cheers, Mark. And I was incorrect in saying at post #9 that the two-hole blocks are 1/2" thick. They are indeed 3/4" thick as you measured. Eric

 

flh80, I don't know why you'd make the gusset the SECOND thing to check for (after a VIN). At post #3 you mentioned the MoCo added the gusset in mid 68 and you also said: ‘But that's no guaranty it could have been added to an older frame also.’

In the case of a 65 or later H-D Big Twin 4-speed frame, the lack of a gusset only indicates up through early-68. And because a gusset could have been added anytime its presence doesn't necessarily tell us much.

The style of top engine mount is more likely to be a reliable indicator as are the types of lower rear castings. And certain other things.

Regarding the picture you posted, I realise you've used it as an example of the gusset but I hope you don't mean the gusset would be the SECOND thing to check for on that frame? The top mount indicates 1970 or later for a start. SEVERAL things about that frame indicate the numbers on the lower rear castings are likely to have the 73 suffix and I'm not just judging by the appearance of those two castings. And what about the plate near the top of the seat post tube? That plate indicates way later than even 1973. Et cetera. Eric

 

Your absolutely right, what I meat is on a "completed" bike when you just first walk up to it, I don't mean actually inspecting it. Those are the obvious things in the open to see at first glance. Its hard to see the top mount with everything in the way! You can usually tell gussets that have been added, the welds are not as good (not always a guarranty I know). Dealers at the time were adding them and not stripping the bikes down to do it and there are still a lot floating around that never got them..

 

Hy, i'm looking for an oem harley shovelhead flh frame, could you help me?
Thanks
taz

 

Sure looks to me like a later frame [Late '70's]
That is Not the gusset that the MoCo added...those are rear passenger foot peg mounts ...not used previous to about '77.

 

topic is 4 years old guys...

TAZ, sei nuovo, crea un topic apposta se ti servono info e cosa vuoi di preciso

 

speeding big twin is the man when it comes to IDing anything Harley

think about the rear part number with the dash 73 part numbers - it can not be a 67 unit those parts were not made until 1973 and NO one replaced them, those frames are cheaper then the work to replace the entire back half