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I agree that 5 digits after "WL" is too many numbers. A bunch of WLA unstamped cases still floating around, probably more by you. People seemed obligated to introduce their own numbers!?!?
I saw a set at a meet last month, claiming to be 1940 WLD, but the numbers where way too neat. Then I look at the casting number and it was 1945, the seller claimed ignorance. It happens, maybe your seller really doesn't know any better, maybe he is a thief. Hard to say, some of these shenanigans with numbers happened before we were born. Good luck, post pics for more help.
I have a WLA that was sold by the army in 1951 in Jacksonville Fl. It was a basket, but I had a title. It was a USA title, so when I rebuilt the engine, I had that USA title # stamped into the cases. It starts 51 USA xxx. So I guess it got sold as a 1951.
Do some Google Image research on VIN #'s, those do NOT look like the correct font for the factory. There is also a website with a complete library of known good numbers for comparisons. I would walk away from that VIN, good luck.
How about this 1942 WL?
Seems like the last digit is kinda crammed in there. Would appreciate your opinion as this bike is for sale locally.
That is the second version Ive seen of that serial number.
The first version, which appeared authentic, I saved photos of a while ago. And I also saved photos of the belly numbers.
But as for the photo of that second version, I agree with Architect and the characters are not consistent with factory stamping for a 42WLA. Notice the 4s are sans serif and have an open back. For 42WLAs, at that stage of numbering, the 4s usually had a closed top and a serif across the base. (Later in 42WLA numbering the 4 changed to opentop with serif across the base.)
Notice the 2s are sans serif. They normally had a vertical serif at bottom right.
The letter used as W is wrong and it looks like M upside down.
Notice the 3 is sans serif. Normally it had a vertical serif at top left.
Notice the 9 and 6 are a round-back style. Normally for 42WLAs the 9/6 had a straight back.
Just out of curiosity, what are the belly numbers?
Eric
The case numbers are definitely incorrect. I enlarged the the first picture and you can plainly see the last 6 is overstamped on top of a 9. And, of course, the fonts are incorrect. And the upside down M really looks ridiculous.
As for belly numbers, here they are. Not sure the fonts on them are correct either.
Speeding BigTwin - are you saying that you have seen, or photographed, a set of numbers identical to these? I'd sure like to see them. If you don't want to share the photo, just confirm for me. This bike in question has a legit title.
I am taking this example at face value.....if the money is right, just buy it and have some fun with it.
Appreciate the comments.
I have a photo of an authentic-looking version of that SN and I can email it to you if you wish. I sent you my address via PM. The BNs are 43-25+++A and they appear authentic so I could send you a picture of them in full as well. Why is the letter A at the end of the BNs? I do not know for certain but in this instance I dont think its a concern and I have many other examples of it with BNs that appear factory-stamped.
Re the BNs you posted, they look like 43-6749? Some characters arent clear but I cant see anything wrong at this stage. Decade 4 is probably sans serif and Id expect it to have an open back. That type of 4 was used in the BN decade position for 194146. The 3 probably has a flat top and no serif. The 4 and 3 are often done with a tandem stamp and line up neatly with each other.
I dont see a dash or hyphen in the R-H BN but I dont think its a concern and its not the first time its been missing for 1943.
Sequence 6/9 is the round-back style Id expect for 1943 BNs. (H-D used more than one type of round-back 6/9 in BNs over the years.)
The 7 looks normal for 1943 and it was also used in BN sequence portions for several other years. Notice it is sans serif and also notice the style of back.
Open-top 4 is normal in the BN sequence portion for 1943. Notice the serif across the base.
Eric
Speeding Big Twin is our resident expert, but I will take a swing.
First, as this thread started, too many numbers. Should only be four digits after the WLA.
Then comparing the characters to the font on my legit '46, the 4 and W are not an exact match. The top left of the 4 has a little too much curve and the W seems a little tall. The bottom line of the 1 also looks long.
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