Can anyone ID this ???

 

its not part of any OEM factory markings one would find on a 45 frame

like a home built trailer some one at some point might have used that as an ID number for motor vehicle

its also sloppy two different sizes on the 4 and its gobbled in the center as well as I think the S is 1/2 stamped

 

Yeah its a mess huh.... thats why im wondering if anyone knows what the hell it is...

 

I agree with John, either it was done by some municipality in lieu of a VIN # or a previous owner did it to identify his bike. Did not come from Milwaukee like that. Good luck.

 

IIRC the MoCo never put VIN stampings on frames before 1970, and only stamped necks from 1970 and newer. There were some pieces with casing numbers, but not stamped.

 

The MoCo did stamp pre 70 frames with a number. My 64 was registered in California with both frame and engine. The factory frame number on my pan consist of one letter, followed by 4 numbers. And they did this through the 60's.

When I moved to Nevada and transferred my pan, The DMV would only use the neck numbers and would not include the engine numbers at all. I was not happy

I did confirm this 30 years ago when I contacted the MoCo research dept when I started my restoration, and they even sent me a copy of the original order for my bike, Back in the day when you could order your bike from the factory and fly out get a free tour and ride your new motorcycle home after it was built.

 

I also agree with John & Architect. Someone may have used their initials, license number, etc., to ID their bike.
As for panhead frames, however, there were no stamps from the factory except 1 letter and 1 numeral stamped on the top motor mount bracket that denoted the time of manufacture. For instance, the '64 mentioned above might have had 'B4' stamped, meaning the frame was made in February 1964. The only VIN number is the one stamped on the engine boss.
So I agree with you Hal64. I'd have been upset with the DMV also.

 

There are a bunch from 62 on that have a stamped number on a pad on neck.
From panhead registry site

I assume the ID you found is on the left side of the neck? And I also assume the characters are small, maybe 1/8"? H-D at times refers to that extra ID as additional original component identifying numbers but they have also been called anti-theft numbers or supplemental identifying numbers by one person or another.

The 1962 models were the first to receive that form of extra ID. NB: Palmer's restoration book says 1963 was the first year but that is incorrect and I contacted him about that some time ago. Palmer now agrees that 1962 was the first year for the additional ID.

Having 62 as the last two characters of your frame ID is purely coincidental and does not mean it is a 1962 model frame. However, it could be a 62 model frame because A was apparently one of two letters used for that model year. And the A was again used on some, but not all, parts for 1963 models.

The letter was usually followed by either three or four numbers and you may find similar ID on the forward face of the trans case between the starter cover and the frame seat post tube, as well as on the outside of the left fork stop on the lower triple clamp. However, it is unlikely that all three sets of ID will match each other completely even if all three sets are original to the bike. Apparently that is normal Harley procedure.

In some instances, not all three parts original to the one bike have the same letter's for example, one forum member has a 63 Pan and all his numbers were confirmed in writing in a letter by Pete Simet from H-D Customer Service. I have read the letter. The frame had B1+++ and the lower triple clamp had B2+++ but the trans case had A7+++.

If you're interested in checking your numbers further you could contact Pete at H-D on 414-343-4056. You'll need to tell him your engine serial number, your belly numbers and the three sets of additional ID characters. And Pete may ask for a clear photo of your serial number. He may then be able to check Harley records and tell you if all the numbers are original to the bike. But if for example the frame isn't original to the engine he'll just say no, it isn't; he won't tell you the ID for the frame that was originally mated with that engine. But if he's able to confirm all the numbers are original to the bike then he may send you a letter stating that to be so. Pete may also be able to tell you the date your bike was manufactured.

And I've sent you a PM with some other Panhead info.
Eric
Top
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62FL6562, with frame id. of A5217
62FL2897 has frame #A3254
62FLH4230 with frame number A3762

 

I stand corrected on the frame ID # (Palmer calls it an "anti-theft number") for '62 & later and it's cool that HD can verify the frame number to it's corresponding motor number. But the VIN# is still the number stamped on the motor boss. Unfortunately, a lot of DMV people don't get it.

The number I was referring to is the frame Production Date number, which are 2 large, 1/4", digits stamped on the right hand side of the top motor mount bracket. The '59 in my sig pic is stamped 9G, so it was made in July, 1959. I'd say there's a good chance this frame was originally used for a 1960 model. My '57 frame is 7A - January, 1957. That coding was used '52-'64.

Looking for your PM but haven't seen it yet.