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I can't help you with your VIN or anything technical at all, but architect is one of our best and will get you as far as anyone here can. Other than that ..... man, that is a BEAUTIFUL BIKE!
I have the old documents of registration. No engine # was shown. There was only the frame # 114654 that is stamped (probably from Italian authorities since from what I've understood no frame # was stamped by HD at that time) in the position showed in the picture.
First registration in Italy is reported to be in 1952 but at those times the data were not "very accurate".
In Italy this R circled has no mean and authorities do not have a clue of what it is.
I'm not quite sure where to find the markings on the steering head. Can you please be more clear (a picture will help)?
Tomorrow I'll go to the mechanic where the bike is so I can eventually make pictures of the marks.
Yes, that frame number is NOT factory, added the same time the VIN was put on the motor. I would take that to my local DMV and see what they want me to do. Now I nothing about Italian DMV, but you basically have proof of ownership with a verifiable number. It is going to be to them to make a decision how to proceed.
When I bought my bike there was not title, the two previous owners had not had the bike registered since at least the early 1970's. I went to DMV with what I had which was a Bill of Sale, pictures of the bike and pictures of the VIN #. They then wanted a rubbing of the VIN # and a DMV form that had to be filled out by previous owner stating how long he had owned the motorcycle.
After that and a 60 day waiting period, they sent me a transferable Registration, which is NYS talk for a title for an antique vehicle.
I think your next stop should be DMV to start asking questions, good luck.
I agree L 2 indicates casting in Dec 42. The date code is consistent with the BNs which suggest a 43 model and the engine may have been a surplus item originally destined for use as a replacement for a WLA or WLC. But when the engine arrived in Italy I do not know. Casting number 112-392 was used for 1939 thru 1973/74 even though there were a few changes to the casting during that period. Notice the lone 2 stamped higher up the case but I dont know what it means and my best guess is that it was done by an inspector. Do I see a lone 4 stamped on the flat surface just above the date code? If so it too may have been stamped by an inspector.
As you suggested the frame number may be from Italian authorities. But without an engine number on that document I couldnt say if that engine was in that frame when the bike was first registered in 1952 and I couldnt say if that engine was in that frame when that document was signed in 1964. And we still dont know for certain who stamped 6175 and the Rs or when any of those markings were applied to the engine. Has the former owner got any more info on the history of the bike?
For markings on the steering head please look on the opposite side to where your frame number is.
For markings on the axle clips heres where to look on the left clip. Markings may also be found outside the R-H axle clip.
Any markings on top of the frame?
In the trans case I dont see an oil filler plug but maybe its where the bike is? (Im curious about the length of the filler plug.) On the trans case under the spout for the filler plug you may find casting number 121-41 and a casting date code.
Front brake looks like a Big Twin style but it was also used for WLCs.
Eric
I agree L 2 indicates casting in Dec 42. The date code is consistent with the BNs which suggest a 43 model and the engine may have been a surplus item originally destined for use as a replacement for a WLA or WLC. But when the engine arrived in Italy I do not know. Casting number 112-392 was used for 1939 thru 1973/74 even though there were a few changes to the casting during that period. Notice the lone 2 stamped higher up the case but I dont know what it means and my best guess is that it was done by an inspector. Do I see a lone 4 stamped on the flat surface just above the date code? If so it too may have been stamped by an inspector.
As you suggested the frame number may be from Italian authorities. But without an engine number on that document I couldnt say if that engine was in that frame when the bike was first registered in 1952 and I couldnt say if that engine was in that frame when that document was signed in 1964. And we still dont know for certain who stamped 6175 and the Rs or when any of those markings were applied to the engine. Has the former owner got any more info on the history of the bike?
For markings on the steering head please look on the opposite side to where your frame number is.
For markings on the axle clips heres where to look on the left clip. Markings may also be found outside the R-H axle clip.
Any markings on top of the frame?
In the trans case I dont see an oil filler plug but maybe its where the bike is? (Im curious about the length of the filler plug.) On the trans case under the spout for the filler plug you may find casting number 121-41 and a casting date code.
Front brake looks like a Big Twin style but it was also used for WLCs.
Eric
Hi here the marking on axle clip. What are they telling?
Not all die number will be in his charts for a variety of reasons so you have to use your judgement. One of my axle clips on my 48 has a die number that falls into a gap in Palmers numbers. In your case looking at the die number range for the left clip I would guess yours is in the 41 or 42 model year. Check out the other die numbers on your frame and compare to the chart, that will narrow down the year.
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