VIN number inspection information

Needing to find some form of printed document, H-D specification or H-D archive material that will give the details on the correct specification is there were never a VIN number stamped on the frame of a 1941 and later 45" solo frame.

I need to have this printed document to present to a state patrol inspection officer at the time of vehicle inspection.

This data is somewhere on the web but i am unable to find where ?? i have found some sites with peoples opinions and observations about this subject but cannot find a official H-D specification that lists no matching engine and frame vins till 1970.
any help you can give would be apprecicated.

[Pa]

Reference "Bruce Palmer's" How To Restore Your Harley Davidson Motorcycle". The book specifically states no vins on frames, just the engine. Pa

Some time ago there was a copy of a California hi-way patrol offiers manual that gave year make and model and vin number locations. Someone here posted a link to it.

If you want to use Palmer, the citation is on Page 7, Second Column, Second Full Paragraph:

"None of these motorcycles ever had a frame number. Only one piece lays claim to the overall ownership of the motorcycle, the left crankcase. Harley-Davidson did not begin numbering frames until the late-1960s and these did not match the motor number until a few years later."

Mark

[Pa]

Some time ago there was a copy of a California hi-way patrol offiers manual that gave year make and model and vin number locations. Someone here posted a link to it.

If I am not mistaken, I believe it was member Chris Haynes who made that link posting.

Thanks for the reply, i have the restore your H-D book.
I would sure like to find a link to get a copy of the CHP handbook page that gives H-D early frame info, if you guys know how o find it let me know.

Hey,

Why don't you go to the local HD dealer, and get them to write you a note to that effect on their letterhead. You might want to offer them $10-20 for the service, but I'm guessing that they would probably do it for you ...

Mark

Link to book on Chris' website. http://vintageamericanmotorcycles.com/d ... s+book.pdf. This is from his post " Don't get burnt with bad numbers" on 4-29-10.

Thats the one but i had forgoteen it was modifed....wonder if you could get the old CHP un-molested book now?

in the service bulletins i found:
service bulletin nbr 820 published on April 10, 1971 : Motorcycle Serial Numbers
1969 & earlier : located on the crankcase,
1970 thru 1980 : located on the engine crankcase & same as number on the frame steering head.
1981 & later ... : stamped on the frame steering head and on a label on the frame downtube.
plus an abbreviated VIN number on the crankcase.

service bulletin nbr 596 published on September 16, 1969 : New Numbering system - VIN
is probably the one you need but unfortenately i don't posses it.
sorry.
this should be the one to have.
JP

in the service bulletins i found:
service bulletin nbr 820 published on April 10, 1971 : Motorcycle Serial Numbers
1969 & earlier : located on the crankcase,
1970 thru 1980 : located on the engine crankcase & same as number on the frame steering head.
1981 & later ... : stamped on the frame steering head and on a label on the frame downtube.
plus an abbreviated VIN number on the crankcase.

service bulletin nbr 596 published on September 16, 1969 : New Numbering system - VIN
is probably the one you need but unfortenately i don't posses it.
sorry.
this should be the one to have.
JP

Maybe it's in here?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Shop-Dope-Servi ... re&vxp=mtr

I have it.
Robbie

[Pa]

Robbie...is that document in the shope dopes as well ?

Pa,
I don't know if it is. This is in a Service School book which is made up of Shop Dopes and the Service Bulletins that replaced them.
Robbie