Second go around serial number issues 69 sporty's

[takehikes]

Just looked at the second 69 Sporty in two weeks that is registered as a 69 but the engine serial number makes it a 70. Once I understand but twice in two weeks with two different bikes?

Is there some way these can really be 69's somehow? Strikes me as awful strange. This one by the way has had same owner for 20 plus years. so if there were title games played it was a long time ago.

A little help from you guys that are real whiz at this would be appreciated.

[M.O.Ther]

The title games may have been played in 1969. There was a time when some dealers would title bikes in the year they were sold, rather than the model year of the bike. I have a low number 1957 Triumph that's always been titled as a 1956. Although it was more common when bikes sat on the showroom floor for the bike to be titled a year or so after the true model year of the bike. The Govt. made them stop doing this eventually 'cause people were paying for the latest models and getting leftovers. Is this second '70 a low numbered one? (Because '70 was an even numbered year, the serial numbers started around 2000.)

Because this is an error, the DMV will fix it, if you present documentation. If they're legit, those bikes could be retitled as a 1970. I know that in your case, Takeshikes, you're looking for a real '69, so that's not much help to you.

[Monte03]

Originally Posted by takehikes

Just looked at the second 69 Sporty in two weeks that is registered as a 69 but the engine serial number makes it a 70. Once I understand but twice in two weeks with two different bikes?

Is there some way these can really be 69's somehow? Strikes me as awful strange. This one by the way has had same owner for 20 plus years. so if there were title games played it was a long time ago.

A little help from you guys that are real whiz at this would be appreciated.

if it is not on the Left Motor Case above the timming hole like this:
69XLCH1234 or 69XLCH12345 (5 digit version) or 69XLH1234,
I'd walk away, 69 numbers were on the left case only

[HD48FL]

Originally Posted by Monte03

if it is not on the Left Motor Case above the timming hole like this:
69XLCH1234 or 69XLCH12345 (5 digit version) or 69XLH1234,
I'd walk away, 69 numbers were on the left case only

Yeah definately too much confusion between '69 (engine numbers) and '70 (frame numbers) to play games with.

[rockett]

I guess it depends on where you live. Here in Texas, no one would care, much less ever notice. All you have to do is get it inspected, the inspecting dude writes the vin (off of the frame only) on the green sheet, and you go register it. Good stuff. (helps if you know the guy inspecting it, too.)

[takehikes]

Numbers on case are 3A18009HO which makes it a 70 but just like the other one I saw recently it's registered as a 69.

Also neither one had frame numbers as is correct for a 69.

Both had magnetos too which should make them pre-70.

Pretty odd to have two of them like this. I am REALLY tempted on this one as its so nice and runs very good.

[HD48FL]

Originally Posted by rockett

I guess it depends on where you live. Here in Texas, no one would care, much less ever notice. All you have to do is get it inspected, the inspecting dude writes the vin (off of the frame only) on the green sheet, and you go register it. Good stuff. (helps if you know the guy inspecting it, too.)

If it's a '69 or earlier Harley wouldn't they look for the engine number as their would be no frame number on an original machine?

[rockett]

Originally Posted by HD48FL

If it's a '69 or earlier Harley wouldn't they look for the engine number as their would be no frame number on an original machine?

Not around here. They'll just check the neck and be done with it. And that's ONLY if it's an out of state bike. If it's an in-state bike, they don't even check the VIN. You just bring in the title and a transfer sheet, and walk out with plates.

The only thing that matters here, is that your neck matches your title, and that only matters if you're in trouble for something, or you're buying an out of state bike.

I've had a bike with a mismatched engine/frame. Even got the case/neck checked once when pulled over for speeding. The officer just said 'oh, blew up the original motor?' 'yep' 'Alright. Bike's not stolen, slow down and be safe'

This is BFE Texas, though.

I'm sure Cali is way different. I hear they can smoke weed, but can't have double edged knives or buy guns whenever they want. *shudder*

[Larry T]

Originally Posted by rockett

Not around here. They'll just check the neck and be done with it. And that's ONLY if it's an out of state bike. If it's an in-state bike, they don't even check the VIN. You just bring in the title and a transfer sheet, and walk out with plates.

The only thing that matters here, is that your neck matches your title, and that only matters if you're in trouble for something, or you're buying an out of state bike.

I've had a bike with a mismatched engine/frame. Even got the case/neck checked once when pulled over for speeding. The officer just said 'oh, blew up the original motor?' 'yep' 'Alright. Bike's not stolen, slow down and be safe'

This is BFE Texas, though.

I'm sure Cali is way different. I hear they can smoke weed, but can't have double edged knives or buy guns whenever they want. *shudder*

Maybe in your part of Texas, but up here they've come in and checked neck numbers/engine numbers/transmission numbers/fork numbers on every bike I had in the shop.
Larry T

[takehikes]

Just wish I could get this bike as it's perfect for what I want to do with it but I damn sure don't need title issues.

So anyone with a 69 or older Sporty in NorCal that wants to get rid of it PM me. Assuming your title and serial match up eh?

[rockett]

Originally Posted by Larry T

Maybe in your part of Texas, but up here they've come in and checked neck numbers/engine numbers/transmission numbers/fork numbers on every bike I had in the shop.
Larry T

Who did you piss off? And yeah... I live in rural east-texas. Kinda the armpit of the US.

[Larry T]

Originally Posted by rockett

Who did you piss off? And yeah... I live in rural east-texas. Kinda the armpit of the US.

Nobody. Every once in a while the Texas DPS Theft Division swings through and checks all of the body shops and scooter shops in the area.

And I live in a town with a population of 10,000, so it's not exactly a metropolitan area either.
Larry T

[rockett]

Ah. Understood. Must be a shop thing. I've never gotten harassed. Good to know, though, as I sorta run a little shop down here. Just me myself and I, and a few side jobs.

[thefrenchowl]

The 70 cases are unique, one year only, so should be easy to spot them...

Patrick

[HD48FL]

Originally Posted by rockett

Not around here. They'll just check the neck and be done with it.

The only thing that matters here, is that your neck matches your title.

This is BFE Texas, though.

What about '69 and earlier Harley's, they don't have neck numbers? There is only an engine number and that's what's used for the vin.

[HD48FL]

Originally Posted by takehikes

Numbers on case are 3A18009HO which makes it a 70 but just like the other one I saw recently it's registered as a 69.

Also neither one had frame numbers as is correct for a 69.

I am REALLY tempted on this one as its so nice and runs very good.

Find yourself a bike that has a vin that matches the year, etc.

There is some funny stuff going on there. I suspect that both of those bikes were '69's because there are no frame numbers. At some point the engine was replaced with a '70 engine.

Does that 3A18009H0 number appear as the vin on the title? If so, then it would seem like I just mentioned, someone used that '70 engine, not sure how in the hell it got titled as a '69 though? There could also be a frame out there with 3A18009H0 as well, something else to think about.

[takehikes]

exactly my fear...I buy it and then someday up pops a frame with same serial number.
Starting to really piss me off I'll tell you. both of them I looked at were sweet and I would have bought on the spot but my antenna said don't do it.

[HD48FL]

Originally Posted by takehikes

exactly my fear...I buy it and then someday up pops a frame with same serial number.
Starting to really piss me off I'll tell you. both of them I looked at were sweet and I would have bought on the spot but my antenna said don't do it.

Have patience, the right bike is out there!

[takehikes]

I already have one a 73 but want an earlier model...just being greedy!

[HD48FL]

Originally Posted by takehikes

I already have one a 73 but want an earlier model...just being greedy!

One is never enough!