harleyKmodel

There is a on going, sort of, question on the XL Forum as to when the odd/even numbering started. This Forum has it as 60 but there are two sources on the XL Forum showing 62. Just curious.
George

Yes, we've seen several websites which incorrectly report that the odd/even serial number scheme started in 1962. But one person publishes an error on a website, and then 100 people blindly copy that error onto other websites.

The reason we say that the odd/even numbering started in 1960 is that we have real data to support our assertion.

1) Records from harleyKmodel's serial number / belly number database - we only have two from 1960:
60 XLH 4562
60 XLH 4838

1960 production was 2795 according to The Legend Begins. If the odd/even DID NOT start in 1960, the last bike produced would have been 2795 + 1000 =~ 60 XLH 3795. This is far below 60 XLH 4562 and 60 XLH 4838

Not many 1960 Sportsters have survived. Take a look in the Gallery section at Dr. Dicks 1960 XLCH. We'd expect it to have an even thousand in the serial number, and so it does - 60 XLCH 2086.


2) Records from the Harley Hummer Club's membership roster for 1960
60 BT 2008
60 BT 2028
60 BT 2080
60 BT 2159
60 BT 2165
60 BT 2262
60 BT 2264
60 BT 2273
60 BT 2286
60 BT 2287
60 BT 2357
60 BT 2376
60 BT 2383
60 BT 2408
60 BT 2435
60 BT 2488
60 BT 2488
60 BT 2533
60 BT 2608
60 BT 4074
60 BT 4074
60 BT 4074
60 BT 4080
60 BT 4087
60 BT 4090
60 BT 4118
60 BT 4129
60 BT 4140
60 BT 4211
60 BT 4262
60 BT 4272
60 BT 4344
60 BT 4418
60 BT 4433
60 BT 4436
60 BT 4534
60 BT 4548
60 BT 4626
60 BT 4783
60 BT 4791
60 BT 4924
60 BT 4998
60 BT 4999
60 BT 6048
60 BT 6144
60 BT 6235
60 BT 6278
60 BT 6433
60 BTU 2444
60 BTU 2624
60 BTU 4146
60 BTU 4150
60 BTU 4151
60 BTU 6009

Note that they all have even thousands - 2, 4, 6 since 1960 was an even year.


3) Records from the Harley Hummer Club's membership roster for 1961
61 BT 1284
61 BT 1312
61 BT 1334
61 BT 1353
61 BT 1359
61 BT 1362
61 BT 1368
61 BT 1379
61 BT 1392
61 BT 1455
61 BT 1484
61 BT 1600
61 BT 1600
61 BT 1600
61 BT 1667
61 BT 1696
61 BT 1739
61 BT 1741
61 BT 1786
61 BT 1800
61 BT 1863
61 BT 1903
61 BT 1979
61 BT 3063
61 BT 3067
61 BT 3096
61 BT 3145
61 BT 3154
61 BT 3180
61 BT 3183
61 BT 3194
61 BT 3211
61 BT 3262
61 BT 3295
61 BT 3299
61 BT 3390
61 BT 3433
61 BT 3438
61 BT 3438
61 BT 3439
61 BT 3508
61 BT 3521
61 BT 3541
61 BT 3569
61 BT 3583
61 BTU 1015
61 BTU 1523
61 BTU 1635
61 BTU 1915
61 BTU 1955
61 BTU 3018
61 BTU 3170

Note that they all have odd thousands - 1 and 3 - since 1961 was an odd year.


4) Bruce Palmer's book How To Restore Your Harley Davidson says so on page 8 (2nd edition)


Dave

Thanks Dave. You have satisfied my curiosity.
George

Thanks Dave,

nothing else can be argued!!!

Patrick

hennesse wrote:Yes, we've seen several websites which incorrectly report that the odd/even serial number scheme started in 1962. But one person publishes an error on a website, and then 100 people blindly copy that error onto other websites.

The reason we say that the odd/even numbering started in 1960 is that we have real data to support our assertion.

Dave, your response is the reason I still hang around and participate in this forum. There is so much misinformed garbage being spread around Internet forums and facebook groups that is purely based on how people "remember it, what people "heard", and incomplete information.

EVIDENCE is what this is all about. Evidence leads you to the truth. Evidence is why this forum (and the OSKRG) is the best around.

-Magneto Sportster

+1 It's why I no longer post on the xl site, let alone the bad taste left in my mouth by the admins.

Not sure if I'm doing this right but here goes. Trying to figure out what year my bike is. Case # is 50S288115, same number stamped on RH side of steering neck. Search for decode VIN would lead one to believe its a 1950, but i thought sportster started 58. Any help?

Several problems with that number.

50S is a 1950 125 two stroke lightweight model.
288115 is not a number within the realm of H-D production.
Numbers were not stamped on the frames until the 1970 production year.

Sportsters started in 1957.

What kind of bike are you talking about?

It is a HD Sportster, (looks and smells like one anyway) not sure of the history on it. I will upload some photos. Thanks for the help. Just want to be sure of things before I hand over any money.

These are certainly NOT factory numbers. My best guess is that it is a state DMV-assigned number. In many states, if the factory serial numbers have been damaged or removed, or the bike has been determined to be "homemade" (after close scrutiny by the state police), the DMV will assign a number, and often, a special plate that you bolt to the frame with the number on it. The certificate of title will have the same number, and some designation showing that it is a DMV-assigned identification number.

However, I've never seen a state-assigned serial number STAMPED in the engine and frame.

It also could be a number that somebody just made up. I would check the title carefully to see if the serial number matches. Personally, I'd want to have the state police look at it, and the title, in person to see if it is legitimate. I'd suggest that to the seller. If he balks, you should walk.

The engine is a 1967 or later - the left case (at least) has the provision for electric start. The belly numbers on the bottom of the cases (best to use a mirror to see them) will tell you what year the motor is - unless they have been altered too. (See "numbers" in the technical section of this website)

My opinion is that this bike is a pile of mismatched parts of various years intermixed with custom chopper parts, and very dubious legitimacy.