Needing help to identify a 1933 Flathead
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Stage IV
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4
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From: Central Kentucky
Needing help to identify a 1933 Flathead
I just recently stumbled across and now am hoping to purchase what the owner says is a 1933 Harley Flathead. He is in his 80s and said he has owned it since he was in his late 20s. I was able to take some pictures, but was so excited and caught of guard that it slipped my mind to even get any type of ID numbers off the engine. I was actually visiting the owner in hopes of getting parts for my 55 Buick convertible. I was able to get some picture and have one engine picture of the side the shifter is on and was able to see the last four numbers on the engine case. They are 1-160 with 0 being the number on the far right. I am not certain if there are any numbers to the left of the 1 either. I am excited to get this bike home whatever year it is, as you can tell. Any info as to what year/ model it might be, any potential issues visible in the pictures or warnings as to parts availability or other goods, bads, or uglies would be greatly appreciated. Does anyone know if the tank has the correct paint, for all the 33s I have seen have the eagle painted on the tank. And most importantly, what is it worth. Here are some pictures... Thanks in advance and ENJOY
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 692
Likes: 390
From: Western Australia
Welcome to the forum. The bike appears to be one of the R-series and they are a Flathead V-twin 45ci (750cc) made for 193236 but I've never owned one and I dont know a lot about them. This one appears to be either 32 or 33. If it was 3436 it would have a different type of rear mudguard and various other differences. For 1933 there are several types of Flathead 45s listed on Harleys model layout sheet: R; RE; REX; RL; RLE; RLEX; RLD; RLDE; RLDEX; RS; RES; RESX. However, the letter S which designated sidecar gearing wasnt stamped in as part of the engine serial number.
An example of the usual format for a 1933 R-series serial number is as follows: 33R1234. The first two numbers are the model year and the letter (or letters) designates the model. The remaining numbers, which should be 1000 or higher for a general production machine, represent sequential production.
You mentioned the last four numbers on the engine were 1-160 but Id ask that you clarify something, please. Is there really a hyphen (-) stamped between the two 1s? If you used the hyphen for security purposes instead of revealing a fifth number then something is wrong because 1933 production wasnt high and there shouldnt be five numbers in the sequence portion, only four.
Ive posted a photo of 33RLE1+++ below so you can compare the types of characters in it with what is stamped on that engine:
I dont know if the paint is correct. The standard style of graphics for 1933 included the Eagle Head transfer and a certain type of panel on the tanks but Harley also used to take special orders at times regarding paint so I cant be sure about the paintwork in the photos.
I dont know enough about the differences between a Schebler carb and an early Linkert carb to be able to tell which one it is but there may be some markings on it somewhere that identify it. The carb is missing its air intake (air scoop) so ask the guy if he has one for it. And ask if theres anything else to go with the bike. And is that a Corbin speedometer I see on the tank?
Regarding price, sorry but I cant be of any help with that.
Theres a good book you can buy that covers Flathead 45s for 192936 and it's called A Restoration Guide for 1929-1936 45" Twins. It's by Johnny Sells and you'll find it via Google. It's a good book and one of my mates has a copy and I read it some time ago. There's also a Harley parts catalog covering 1926-1939 (all models, including Big Twins) and I have that one. I think I bought it from Antique Cycle Supply so you could check Google for that company, too.
And Ill send you a PM soon about something else.
Eric
An example of the usual format for a 1933 R-series serial number is as follows: 33R1234. The first two numbers are the model year and the letter (or letters) designates the model. The remaining numbers, which should be 1000 or higher for a general production machine, represent sequential production.
You mentioned the last four numbers on the engine were 1-160 but Id ask that you clarify something, please. Is there really a hyphen (-) stamped between the two 1s? If you used the hyphen for security purposes instead of revealing a fifth number then something is wrong because 1933 production wasnt high and there shouldnt be five numbers in the sequence portion, only four.
Ive posted a photo of 33RLE1+++ below so you can compare the types of characters in it with what is stamped on that engine:
I dont know if the paint is correct. The standard style of graphics for 1933 included the Eagle Head transfer and a certain type of panel on the tanks but Harley also used to take special orders at times regarding paint so I cant be sure about the paintwork in the photos.
I dont know enough about the differences between a Schebler carb and an early Linkert carb to be able to tell which one it is but there may be some markings on it somewhere that identify it. The carb is missing its air intake (air scoop) so ask the guy if he has one for it. And ask if theres anything else to go with the bike. And is that a Corbin speedometer I see on the tank?
Regarding price, sorry but I cant be of any help with that.
Theres a good book you can buy that covers Flathead 45s for 192936 and it's called A Restoration Guide for 1929-1936 45" Twins. It's by Johnny Sells and you'll find it via Google. It's a good book and one of my mates has a copy and I read it some time ago. There's also a Harley parts catalog covering 1926-1939 (all models, including Big Twins) and I have that one. I think I bought it from Antique Cycle Supply so you could check Google for that company, too.
And Ill send you a PM soon about something else.
Eric
Stage II
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Netherlands
flathead 1933
Hello,
What a nice bike. I own a 1933 model RE. Including the original schebler dlx 87. The bike whas owned by one family from 1933 -1965. Yes, the tank-decal should be the eagle head type, this is no problem at all to get them on the side of the tank. I made a little mould to place them on the right place and the right sice. Most important is if the parts are of the year 1933. The gas tank has the correct fuel connection for a 1933 model. 1932 had a 90 degree connection. The gearbox seems to be the 1933 model. About the price. 1933 45 are rare. Some people change their 1932 model in a 1933 by putting the eagle heads decall on it so you must have the knowledge of details between a 1932 and 1933 model. Just like eric said buy the book of johnny sells, great guy and he has also a lot of parts for it. A few weeks a go a badly restored ( in my opinion ) 1933 - 45 , wich whas a 1932 - is sold here in the netherlands by a firm called yesterdays. ( look at the website ) asking price 15500 euro.
At least 20 points where incorrect on the bike. I should say - buy it as a 1933 is a good investment.
If you want more information mail - j.booy@quicknet.nl
regards,
jaap
What a nice bike. I own a 1933 model RE. Including the original schebler dlx 87. The bike whas owned by one family from 1933 -1965. Yes, the tank-decal should be the eagle head type, this is no problem at all to get them on the side of the tank. I made a little mould to place them on the right place and the right sice. Most important is if the parts are of the year 1933. The gas tank has the correct fuel connection for a 1933 model. 1932 had a 90 degree connection. The gearbox seems to be the 1933 model. About the price. 1933 45 are rare. Some people change their 1932 model in a 1933 by putting the eagle heads decall on it so you must have the knowledge of details between a 1932 and 1933 model. Just like eric said buy the book of johnny sells, great guy and he has also a lot of parts for it. A few weeks a go a badly restored ( in my opinion ) 1933 - 45 , wich whas a 1932 - is sold here in the netherlands by a firm called yesterdays. ( look at the website ) asking price 15500 euro.
At least 20 points where incorrect on the bike. I should say - buy it as a 1933 is a good investment.
If you want more information mail - j.booy@quicknet.nl
regards,
jaap
Stage II
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Netherlands
looking closer
some remarks on a closer look at the pictures.
Carb. air intake is missing
primairy cover is incorrect ( 36 or later ) iNSIDE COVERS ??
saddle incorrect - should be a half pan ( this one is a 34 and later )
battery box en lid is missing
sec.chaincover is missing
Iron head type rL ?? nice complete corbin
Most of the parts missing are available via e-bay or fx johnny sells .
jaap
Carb. air intake is missing
primairy cover is incorrect ( 36 or later ) iNSIDE COVERS ??
saddle incorrect - should be a half pan ( this one is a 34 and later )
battery box en lid is missing
sec.chaincover is missing
Iron head type rL ?? nice complete corbin
Most of the parts missing are available via e-bay or fx johnny sells .
jaap
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