1970 quick question
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 18
From: '71 XLCH / '74 XLH
Are you sure that motor is a '70 ?
There is so much on that motor that appears to be '71 or newer (including the Texas notch
rocker boxes), I'd suggest another check of the motor s/n is in order.
What are the last 2 characters of your motor s/n ? It should look something like --> 3AxxxxxH_
The "H_" will confirm the year, one way or the other.
There is so much on that motor that appears to be '71 or newer (including the Texas notch
rocker boxes), I'd suggest another check of the motor s/n is in order.What are the last 2 characters of your motor s/n ? It should look something like --> 3AxxxxxH_
The "H_" will confirm the year, one way or the other.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
Are you sure that motor is a '70 ?
There is so much on that motor that appears to be '71 or newer (including the Texas notch rocker boxes), I'd suggest another check of the motor s/n is in order.
What are the last 2 characters of your motor s/n ? It should look something like --> 3AxxxxxH_
The "H_" will confirm the year, one way or the other.
There is so much on that motor that appears to be '71 or newer (including the Texas notch
rocker boxes), I'd suggest another check of the motor s/n is in order.What are the last 2 characters of your motor s/n ? It should look something like --> 3AxxxxxH_
The "H_" will confirm the year, one way or the other.
The serial number starts with 3A (which is either an XL or XLH) or it starts with 4A (which is an XLCH)
Next, the number has 5 digits. These 5 digits are 10,000 or higher for an XL or XLH (not an XLCH)
In the case of an XLCH you may find the 5 digit number may contain a 'delta mark' as one of the digits.
Following the 5 digits you will have the letter 'H'. This designates the manufacturer which is of course Harley Davidson.
Redundent? Yes, but that is what the letter 'H' stands for.
This last digit will be a zero or a 9. or something in between.
A 'zero' denotes the year 1970.
'1; = 1971, '2'= 1972, '3'= 1973 etc.
A '9' denotes the year 1979.
This is the coding breakdown for a Sportster engine serial number for the years 1970 through 1979.
Before 1970 and after 1980 different numbering systems were used.
pg
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
I reread your post and what you said is correct.
I just misread it. Sorry.
pg
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 121
Likes: 1
I have a 1970 that I bought new, that is not a 1970 front end either, 1970 still had the "boots" just like earlier sportsters. The seat is an after market one or a different year one. there were two seats available in 1970, neither one looked like that one. 1970 was the firs year that year that the XLCH and XLH used the same primary cover, the tin cover went away in 1969. 1970 had the ugliest chainguard that I have ever seen on a sportster (changed mine) that is not it. I think that you have a mixture of parts and someone used the 1970 frame to license it, that would have worked here in Virginia a few years ago. I will have to go look, but I think that my gas shut off is on the other side of the gas tank on a 1970. There was one for sale on CL here very much like yours, I sent the person an email telling them that it was not a 1970, only part of one.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 18
From: '71 XLCH / '74 XLH
again no prob PG. Apology not needed, but thank you for stating you just mis-read my post. We are on the same page.
Regards, Doc71
Regards, Doc71
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