My husband is working with my brother in law to fix up the bike.
Help - Ironhead 1972 frame decode / lookup
Thread Starter
|
Stage III
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: lewisville tx
Help - Ironhead 1972 frame decode / lookup
I'm trying to help my husband and brother decode a Ironhead project they have. We have decoded the case number but not sure about the frame. What does the frame number mean and how do you decode it? It's 5 numbers a dash and then 2 more numbers. Finding what the case number meant was simple but not the frame. Obviously I have no idea what I'm talking about but trying to help my family with their project. They are pretty positive it's a 1972. Thanks in advance for any help!
Baker
Baker
Thread Starter
|
Stage III
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: lewisville tx
72 xl's didnt have frame vin's they where registered to the left engine case, the number stamped on the frame may be either a DMV issued number or a part number of an after market manufacturer
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 695
Likes: 394
From: Western Australia
I'm trying to help my husband and brother decode a Ironhead project they have. We have decoded the case number but not sure about the frame. What does the frame number mean and how do you decode it? It's 5 numbers a dash and then 2 more numbers. Finding what the case number meant was simple but not the frame. Obviously I have no idea what I'm talking about but trying to help my family with their project. They are pretty positive it's a 1972. Thanks in advance for any help!
Baker
Baker
Five numbers, a dash and then two more numbers doesnt sound like a frame number to me. Instead it sounds like a forging number for some part of the frame in particular. The last two numbers sometimes, but not always, indicate the first model year a particular frame section was used. And sometimes a forging number was used for several years so it does not necessarily indicate the model year of the frame concerned. What are the numbers and where are they located? Can you post a photo please.
Ironhead (Sportster) frames for 19701980 models originally had a VIN stamped on the right-hand side of the steering head and that VIN consisted of nine characters. If it was a 1972 model frame the VIN would be in a format similar to the following example: 3A+++++H2. The first two characters indicate the model and the next five characters represent sequential production. H is the decade code for 19701979. (J was the decade code for 1980.) The last character being 2 indicates a 1972 model.
What year is the engine? If the engine is a 1972 model then it would have a VIN in the same format as a 1972 model frame. For 1972 model Sportsters the engine VIN was originally stamped on the right-hand crankcase.
Eric
Trending Topics
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
that would be a casting number for which ever part you got it from on the frame. there might be several of them numbers around the frame. for motor mounts,neck,brackets.. the -?? number gives you an idea of the year.its not exact, it is the year that casting was designed so say it says -74, you know it isnt rite for a 1972. 1970 and up should have a vin # stamped on the frame by the neck, that is what the title vin is from. they only used the engine# for the vin till 1969, earlier models had no frame numbers. you cant take a newer motor,after 70 and use an older frame with no number because the title wouldn't actually match anything. usually that means the frame doesn't actually go to that bike for whatever reason and someone ground the numbers off thinking it goes by pre 1970 rules with the engine number.
Last edited by j1mmy; Aug 9, 2013 at 11:54 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
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
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,478
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Pictures would help. If it is a 1972 HD frame the numbers will be in the same format as the 1972 engine numbers. The frame VIN will be located on the steering head or close by; I can't remember exactly. The frame numbers are what the bike is titled with starting with the 1970 model year. Generally, the engine and frame numbers must match, tho 1979 was a special case, LOL. And while it isn't unusual to find a bike with a diff VIN on the engine than the frame due to someone replacing the engine, the title goes with the frame, and you'd better have something to show you're in legal possession of the engine.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post