harleyKmodel

There's a 1968 XLCH on Craigslist that has stars at the front and rear of the serial number. I think there was a recent posting about a similar bike (or maybe it was about this bike?) Did we ever come to a conclusion about the stars? This is a pretty nice looking bike.



I noticed Dave Carleton's 1968 XLCH in our Gallery section has the Trim Strips on the oil tank. These were available in 1968 and 1969, perhaps later too. Dave - were these an accessory, or did all bikes comes with them?

Dave,

The oil tank trim is a 68 accessory. I don't know if it will fit on a 70 and later CH oil tank. The 69 air cleaner trim along with a matching generator trim was 69 accessory.

The stars on the cases probably were a factory replacement produced in 70 and later, when the star became part of the VIN. Also, the alignment of the 68 and XL are such that they look like they were individual stamps. Many of us believe that the factory used a two font single strike stamp for both the year and the model designation, in our case XL. This is not always correct as the museum 57 bike looks like individual strikes on all of the VIN letters and numbers.

Here was the other bike referenced with stars in the vin number. It was a Mecum auction bike:

1957 Sportster XL - 57XL1905 - with stars in the vin Number??? Special Construction *** Sold $ 19,250. ***
https://www.mecum.com/lots/LV0119-36365 ... sportster/

The 68 cases with the stars are factory replacement cases, which were issued by the factory some time after 1970.

Good info Kirk. I appreciate the scads of K frames, parts I purchased from you in the 90s. Jerry now owns the early early 52K one with the welded square rear fender mount lugs and screw in seat post retainers. The Mecum bike, Nice looking bike. I see someone used 50s Ford or Chrysler style Door Lock Key Switch Covers. 40s and 50s Chevy ones are identical to K XL except where spring attaches. Repops have screws, Original has tabs...Available from Chevy Truck restoration companies. Erik