Panhead/Shovelhead Frame ID

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Dec 1, 2007 | 02:03 PM

68beep

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 386

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From: ND

Panhead/Shovelhead Frame ID

I have a freind who is trying to sell me a frame and we are trying to figure out what year it is. It has the round swingarm and one of the numbers on the frame is a J 5. Is there a site or any source to determine what year an early fame is? Thanks in advance.

Dec 1, 2007 | 07:07 PM

Hal64hd

Road Master

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 1,161

Likes: 39

From: LOST WAGES

RE: Panhead/Shovelhead Frame ID

try http://www.hydra-glide.net/

Dec 3, 2007 | 05:28 AM

Blue SOG

Road Warrior

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 1,741

Likes: 1

From: South Jersey

RE: Panhead/Shovelhead Frame ID

I can tell you that it's between '58 (first year of the swing-arm frame) and '72 (last year for the drum brake).

Dec 7, 2007 | 01:21 PM

panz4ever

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 7,495

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From: Santa Klaus County, Cali

RE: Panhead/Shovelhead Frame ID

My supposition would be that the frame was made in October (J) 65 (5)...if MoCo follows the same system for numbering frames like they did in such things as head, early trannys and the like. Can't be 55 since that was a rigid frame.