K-Model belly numbers

[thefrenchowl]

Yes you can have 52 FL 1256 and 52 K 1256, but you can't have 52 FL 1256 alongside 52 FLH 1256 (or 53 K 1255 alongside 53 KK 1255)...

[hennesse]

for e.g. in 1952 is it possible to have a K-Model 1121 and a Panhead 1121 and say a Hummer or Servicar 1121 ? - K would be 52K 1121 and Bigtwin (I think) would be 52FL 1121 and so on. Cheers Hayley

Yes. There was a 52 K 1121, a 52 (E or EL) 1121, a 52 (F or FL) 1121, a 52 (WL or WLA) 1121, a 52 G 1121, and a 52 S 1121. The numbering followed the major model group.

Your extra 1050 belly number remains a mystery!

[hayleyl]

Excellent, thank you all for the responses, much appreciated. Kind regards Hayley. - keep them ol' dogs barkin'.

[EKHKHK56]

I think Pat is more right? Belly numbers are only for Engine and in sequence made so there would be no 53K with same belly numbers as a 53KK. The Letter designations came last when the serial number of the Motorcycle is stamped on the case. That`s how I think it goes??? Erik

[Hammie13]

I may be wrong,but my restorer buddies all tell me the belly #'s are there so the motor assemblers know that the cases and cam bushings have been align honed. If a case had a flaw,they pulled it and fixed it if possible,and if not they matched it with another case. I've heard of mis-matched belly #'s from the factory due to this. I have an old KHK motor that was bought from H.D. with no #'s on the pad,it was registered in ARKansas with a state motor vehicle tax # in place of a V.I.N. as it was used as a hillclimber and never intended for the street. The belly#'s match the #'s on the V.I.N. pad. I'm not sure if the cases were bought bare or were replacements,but it just goes to show that Murphy's Law was in effect at H.D.

[JerrryR]

Ok how about this for a theory. First being a 52K the first year of the K motor the VIN and belly numbers should be relatively close. I would be suspicious of a 52K 1121 VIN with a 1750 something belly number. Having said that I do understand that circumstances at the factory sometimes caused anomalies to occur. I have also been told by very reliable sources that the factory did record ViN and belly number combinations to assist with law enforcement investigations. Finally lets keep in mind that consistency does not appear to be one of Harleys strong suits. What if what we have here are simply a set of dealer replacement cases with the 1750 something belly numbers used for a blown 52K 1121 motor that had originally 1050 belly numbers. What if then the Harley Dealership that did the work stamped the 1050 on the VIN side acter the 1750 something to indicate for law enforcement that the motor was legitimate and not bogus. Who is to say how every dealership delt with replacement cases. Just a theory what do you think.
JerryR

[hayleyl]

A very sound theory too. I would imagine that a great deal of K series cases were replaced, just about every set I've ever seen have been repaired or like mine have more cracks than the Grand Canyon. Your guess is as good as anyone's. I've seen Shovel cases with what looks to be early belly numbers, yet later build going by the VIN pad and visa versa. Just another one of HDs mysteries I guess. Cheers Hayley.

[JerrryR]

Harley changed the stamps they were using occasionally. If the theory that I proposed in the last post were true that your cases are replacement cases with factory stamped belly numbers and a dealer stamped VIN along with the addition 1050 added after the belly number on the left side case you may find two different fonts in use. I doubt the dealers ran out and bought new stamps every time the factory changed fonts. Can you see a difference. Pictures would be helpfull. Take care. JerryR

[EKHKHK56]

I noticed prior to around 1952 K the engine stamp fonts were definitely old style, like WL, and like US Army used in WW2 inventory stamps, with a `modern` font coming out by 1952 K. Any Ks 52 and newer with old dealer stamps were replacement cases, new or used, stamped with what most dealers had at the time, the pre 52 style. Have seen many...Jerry makes a good point, early Vin number Ks should have relatively early belly numbers, and so forth. Erik