Engine Serial Numbers Question
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,161
Likes: 2,568
From: CT/FL
AFAIK, all the 3-wheelers came standard with tiller steering, the steering wheel was an option.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 695
Likes: 394
From: Western Australia
Thanks for the photo. I wonder if any of those others or other folks will tell us what they decided about it. And if any of them comment on it Id like them to tell us exactly what their opinions are based on, at least as far as the A, 6, 4 and H are concerned. And Id also like them to tell us exactly where their info is from.
I notice SB 648 mentions 3D 10000 H3 to (thru?) 3D 12607 H3. I have photos of thirteen 1973 Shovelhead engine VINs inside that range. One example has a question mark hanging over it but the other twelve appear consistent with factory stamping.
I also have photos of five 1973 Shovelhead frame VINs inside that range. One example is inconclusive but the other four appear consistent with factory stamping.
Eric
I notice SB 648 mentions 3D 10000 H3 to (thru?) 3D 12607 H3. I have photos of thirteen 1973 Shovelhead engine VINs inside that range. One example has a question mark hanging over it but the other twelve appear consistent with factory stamping.
I also have photos of five 1973 Shovelhead frame VINs inside that range. One example is inconclusive but the other four appear consistent with factory stamping.
Eric
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 68
Likes: 28
From: Hickory, NC
One piece of information I am finding is that during early 73', the 4C60000H3 that rolled off the York line was the first of what was called the "York Block Numbers". This reference is referring to the block numbers of 60000 and greater being used at York, while all of the other numbers of 10000 to 59999 rolled off the Milwaukee line. The 60000 block started at York on Feb 15th, 1973, while the earlier block numbers (59999 and earlier) rolled off the Milwaukee line as or later than August 1973. It should be probable that there may be several different stamping tool sets between the different model lines as they roll down their separate lines. However, consecutive stamps on the same model using different style stamps (I think in our case, the letter "H") is by all means questionable.
I am also hearing stories of the transition from mating engines to frames, on what came first...the chicken or the egg. I am hearing that the frames were stamped first, in this case the frames of the 73' FL, FLH and FX being the same...whichever employee finished an engine first received the stamp order for either the a 1A, 2A, or 2C using the same sequence set of 10000 to xxxxx using one of several stamp sets apparently assigned to the employee. However, this has been said to only be for those three models, and all other models used their own 10000 to xxxxx number set...except maybe the XL/XLCH models. Those two may have also used the same sequence set of numbers as well.
Anyhow, the VIN spread sheet has once again been narrowed back down until further data is recorded. The service bulletins helped a lot although they created more questions. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...#gid=409706053
I am also hearing stories of the transition from mating engines to frames, on what came first...the chicken or the egg. I am hearing that the frames were stamped first, in this case the frames of the 73' FL, FLH and FX being the same...whichever employee finished an engine first received the stamp order for either the a 1A, 2A, or 2C using the same sequence set of 10000 to xxxxx using one of several stamp sets apparently assigned to the employee. However, this has been said to only be for those three models, and all other models used their own 10000 to xxxxx number set...except maybe the XL/XLCH models. Those two may have also used the same sequence set of numbers as well.
Anyhow, the VIN spread sheet has once again been narrowed back down until further data is recorded. The service bulletins helped a lot although they created more questions. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...#gid=409706053
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2025
Posts: 68
Likes: 28
From: Hickory, NC
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: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,822
Likes: 7,457
From: OH
[QUOTE=Bryan Austin;22217546]Is this one of the 28 or 29 1973 XLs for the US Army?/QUOTE]
Steel tube front end with a drum brake indicates earleier
Steel tube front end with a drum brake indicates earleier
Last edited by eighteight; Feb 13, 2026 at 09:08 AM.