engine question number vin
Thread Starter
|
Stage IV
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: buenos aires
engine question number vin
hi everybody, im from argentina, sorry for my very very bad english, I will try to explain my question the best I can... I have an ironhead engine with this number vin 61xlch1603 and i want to know what it mean this number, I try to find but I can´t do it, if someone can help me, couse I have to buy the parts and I don´t know what year is and thats stuffs... if someone understand me and can tell me I will be glad, thanxs very much!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 1,362
From: Aurora, CO
That chart is for 70 and newer. A 61 would use the older pattern. That pattern is first 2 number = year, next 2-4 letters = model designation and last 4 numbers is production sequence. So, 61XLCH1603 is 1961 XLCH Sportster, sequence 1603.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,980
Likes: 6,108
From: Florida
No; the "H1" code only applies to big twins made after the conversion to the cone motor in '70. You have a '61.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Stage IV
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: buenos aires
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 695
Likes: 394
From: Western Australia
quito, welcome to the forum. Your English is fine but the engine is not a 1961 model.
The area you indicated with a red oval wasn’t part of the case casting prior to 1967 models. It was added for some, but not all, 1967 Sportsters to accommodate an electric starter. However, it was not there for the XLCH, only for the XLH.
But your left case is even later than 1967. Notice in your above photo that I placed a blue arrow pointing to casting number 24534-72 which wasn’t used until 1972 models.
Also notice the orange arrow pointing to a casting date code. I can’t be sure what that date code says but the first number indicates the month the case was cast—for example, 1 would indicate January. The last two numbers indicate the year the case was cast. What are the numbers on that date code? They look like 3/73 and if so then that would indicate the case was cast in March 1973.
Stamped on the bottom (underneath) of each case half you may find crankcase production numbers and they may be formatted similar to the following example: 773-1234. Can you please let us know what numbers you find under the cases and then I’ll explain exactly what they indicate.
And can you post a photo of the right-hand case because that may also help with identification. Thanks.
Eric
Last edited by Speeding Big Twin; Aug 13, 2015 at 07:42 AM.