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OP is correct on the no numbers cases if purchased to replace new from HD back in the day. As described with just the stars and blank space for numbers.
Back in the 70's in Ca there was a company called STD. You could purchase blank cases from them with a manufacturers statement of origin. It was up to you to take it thru the process with the CHP and the DMV to get it stamped.
They would put a blue and silver aluminum tag on the case and stamp a number on it. Congrats, you now owned a Special Construction.
In my case, they attached the tag to a frame rail, bottom of left down tube, and stamped that.
It was interesting a couple of times when I got pulled over, but I had the paper trail in my old "biker wallet" to prove it was legit.
Back in the 70's in Ca there was a company called STD. You could purchase blank cases from them with a manufacturers statement of origin. It was up to you to take it thru the process with the CHP and the DMV to get it stamped.
They would put a blue and silver aluminum tag on the case and stamp a number on it. Congrats, you now owned a Special Construction.
In my case, they attached the tag to a frame rail, bottom of left down tube, and stamped that.
It was interesting a couple of times when I got pulled over, but I had the paper trail in my old "biker wallet" to prove it was legit.
CHP still issues blue VIN tags today. They usually go on recovered thefts that had their original VIN removed.
Not from HD you can't, but I bought a "blank" STD left side case for a panhead to fix an issue.
Originally Posted by nibroc
69 would be a shovel and not a panshovel
Technically that's correct, but back in the day, many called the pre-70 shovels pan-shovels, since they were on what were essentially panhead lower ends, including the generator.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Oct 12, 2017 at 12:20 AM.
CHP still issues blue VIN tags today. They usually go on recovered thefts that had their original VIN removed.
My 72 FL was worn out and threw the front rod, which then proceeded to grenade the case, almost taking my left ankle out before the racket stopped.
STD was the cheaper option.
Then after another 10 years the STD case cracked, I took it back to the company that was STD, now Tractenberg Engineering or something like that. The original owner saw the case that they had sold me years before and said it was one of the first sandcast cases they made and he would trade me it and 200 bucks for a new set of cases. He stamped the old CHP special construction number the new case.
Ask him to go to the DMV with you to sort all the issues out there. If the outcome weighs in your favor, great, if not, you walk and he's stuck with the mess.
I'm guessing he's not going to do that but hey, you never know.
Find another bike! This could be a nightmare to sort out..
This! For your 1st HD keep it simple. If it was me and I was you go find a low mile original Evo and start with that. $5K should easily see you with a really nice one at this time of year. Dont buy an FLT unless its a Road King. Target a late 90s Dyna. That way you will be able to ride more than wrench.
Last edited by panhead_pete; Oct 15, 2017 at 06:32 PM.
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