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I'm restoring an Harley WL (I do not know if is a WLA or other) here in Italy.
To make it road legal I do need to get the registration of the Italian Cars and Bikes Historical federation.
I've some hassles in proving the production year of the bike to them.
The belly numbers show 43 as production year but the engine shows a "non common number".
Belly #
Engine number is 4 digit with two circled R on the edges. Has anyone seen something like this? Someone told be that probably R stays for "replace" and that this probably tells that the engine part broke and was replaced. From this number is impossible for me to prove the exact model (if WL, WLC or WLA). Engine #
Is there anyone that can help me to prove the year of manufacture of this bike and the model?
Ciao! I can't help define what you have, but from what I've read, there were a lot of military surplus motors left over from WWII that didn't get a serial number on the left case. Maybe that's what yours started with. Since both your belly numbers match, I don't think it was a replacement case half, and not likely a factory replacement motor (they would have recreated the serial number I think). Here in the US, the state motor vehicle department would often assign an ID number if there was none. Perhaps something similar happened with your bike?
Take the primary chain cover off, the letter/number in the rectangle will give you casting date for the motor. Mine below is F 5, F = June, 5 = 1945. My bike is a civilian 1946 WL, so casting number makes sense. You number will likely be 1943/44 somewhat matching your belly numbers. But that unfortunately will only get you into the neighborhood, VIN # is the proof.
All of that said, it looks to me like a blank VIN pad that numbers where added to by some local authority, be it DMV, the Army etc. Add in you are in Italy, my guess would be surplus WLA motor that went into a frame after the war and not stamped by the US Army.
Welcome to the forum. In 1952 what was the bike registered as and what identification from the engine and/or frame was used to help with registration at that time? Did you receive any paperwork with the bike? What about the numberplate? Can it be used to find out what the bike was registered as in 1952 or at any later stage?
I cant see any sign of alteration to the serial number (SN) boss so I dont think it was originally stamped WL, WLA, WLC or G (Servi-Car) and instead the engine may have been a surplus item with no SN originally. As for 6175, it may have been made up by someone who stamped it themselves or it may have been state-assigned although Im not sure why it was applied in two different places with two different sets of stamps.
I dont recall seeing those Rs before but I dont think they mean replacement and its intriguing they are combined with an oval because that combination is similar to when an R is fully inside a circle to indicate a registered trade mark. Perhaps your Rs represent a certain region or locality? Have you asked the licensing authorities about the Rs?
The BNs look normal and all characters appear consistent with factory stamping. Notice the year 3 is sans serif while the sequence 3 is seriffed but that is to be expected. Judging by the BN Im guessing your left case may have been cast in late-42 or early-43 although not every case received its BN in the order it was produced. The casting date code should tell us more.
Originally the R-H case may have had a casting date code but it would have been inside the gear compartment and often it fell victim to the machining of the hole for the generator.
Regarding the frame, can you post photos of markings on the steering head and both axle clips. Thanks.
Eric
Yes, December 1942. This would lead us to believe it was cast to create a motor for a WLA. As stated, the VIN boss looks unmodified and therefore points to a Surplus or Crate motor, likely sent to Europe during the War. The motor never was installed in a bike, again likely until after the war.
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Engine number on HD 1943
