Any ideas? I bought the bike because I like the looks, and I understand it's a Frankenstein. I did a search and can't find anywhere that addresses this VIN format. I know it should have a year in front of the FLA, but it doesn't and I can't figure that out. The PO says it is a 1952, but the trumpet horn tells me 1954. Any thoughts?

Left side case

Left side case

 

it could be a Florida DMV appointed vin number,..... someone here from Florida can probably shed some light on it,.. but thats my guess, it IS NOT, a factory number....

 

The vin pad has been filed down and a new number stamped in its place. The sharp edges around the pad are the giveaway as that pad should be just cast then stamped.

The belly numbers will tell you the year, might have 152-xxxx. X being the sequence number and both halves will (should) have matching numbers.

 

Here's an unaltered vin pad.

Not sure if you want input on the rest of the bike and the builder's choice of parts?

 

Welcome to the forum. I agree with Pete in that it could be a Florida number and I’ve seen a few other engines stamped with that format. What does the paperwork say? And try contacting Florida DMV.

Also look for a plate on the frame. For example this one has assigned ID number FLA 3++++.







Why did the PO say 1952? There were at least two left cases for 52. Yours isn’t an early-52 case but it doesn’t seem to look like a later-52 version either. At this stage I’ll guess the left case may be 55 or later? Can you post a photo of the belly number please. Thanks.

As for the R-H case it appears to be somewhere from about mid-52 to 62 inclusive. I can’t see a strap around the generator but that doesn’t mean much. If there is provision for a strap then the R-H case may be somewhere from about mid-52 to 57 inclusive, if the case is H-D. If no provision for a strap the case may be somewhere from 58 to 62 inclusive. A photo of the belly number may tell us more.
Eric

 

Hey Eric,
It’d be interesting to know about the vin beginning with FLA. I saw a Panhead here in Oregon that had a vin like that. I assumed it was bogus because I had never seen one like that before.

 

I have photos of FLA+++++ stamped on four other engines and apparently the letters represent Florida. But the best indication so far seems to be the frame plate I posted above.

Re the PO saying 1952, it’s possible he was referring to the BNs but I’d like to see them because I’m still guessing the left case may be 55 or later?

Or perhaps the PO was referring to the frame? Maybe the PO thought the frame was 52? The paperwork may reveal the model year the bike is registered as.
Eric

 

Thanks Eric.

 

The OP hasn't been back on since the day he started the thread. Got the bad news and left?

 

Maybe. We’ve seen it happen before although I’ve never understood it. We were asked if we had any ideas and thoughts so we provided a few but more info is required to determine what model year the bike is. Sometimes however our requests for further info don’t get a response and that is something I’ve never understood.

On the other hand, some OPs can’t post the required info straight away but they do later on and perhaps that will happen on this occasion.
Eric