Panhead VIN help...FLP???

[Kessig4x4]

Looked at a 1957 Pan for sale today. However it had a VIN that said FLP on the engine case. He told me it was an old police bike but I can't find anything to back this up as being a real VIN. Anyone have any more insight on this? Also the numbers look rather neat, but that may just be me overthinking it now. Seems like they're typically misaligned with one another Thanks

[HD48FL]

The only P you'd find in a VIN is on a '49 with a springer:

https://www.hydra-glide.net/kb/inf_panhead_facts.php

http://www.ridingvintage.com/2012/11...bers-1936.html


That's one red flag.


What are the belly numbers and what is stamped on each case half where the rear motor mount bolts go?

[Kessig4x4]

The picture of the belly numbers didn't come out so I can read it. They both where matching and started with 157.... I did not look at the number by the motor mount. I was going to go back to buy it until I couldn't find information on the P in the VIN. Having a hard time finding a pan that is what the owner says it is

[HD48FL]

Any other pics of the vin?

Does the vin on the title match the vin number you're showing in the picture?

Find out what is stamped by the rear motor mount bolt holes. 7's would indicate an FL model and H's would indicate a FLH model.

Either way though, that vin is sketchy in my opinion. The only model that had a P was the '49, and the P was stamped after the vin.

[Kessig4x4]

Here's the only other 2 pictures I have I would have to go back to get more information. I suppose if the title and Vin match it is what it is but I can't see myself spending that kind of money if they're not real harley numbers. Thanks for the input and help

[Scott McKelvey]

Based on your first picture/post, i'll say 99.9% that's not a stock 57 number pad. Also the 3's and 7 aren't correct font. That's not to say that there's an illegitimate reason it looks the way it does, but who can say at this point.. So you just have to ask yourself if 1)your moral is too worry about potential historical improprieties, and 2) if the price is right and you are willing to risk depreciation on future resale or confiscation.

[FredoTwoWheels]

Does it have a title matching the numbers? What state are you in? In CA I would hard pass, but somewhere a bit more relaxed I would take it with title, at a lower price of course.

[Speeding Big Twin]

Welcome to the forum. I agree the SN doesn’t look consistent with factory stamping. I’ve heard stories before about some Panhead SNs having P to indicate police and my photo collection contains a few examples similar to that one but they appear fake.

Also for a 57 Pan I’d expect the 3s to have a vertical serif at top left but those 3s appear to be sans serif.
Same thing applied to 7s for 1957 and normally I’d expect a vertical serif at top left.

Here’s a 57 FLH for comparison of some characters. Notice the serif on the 7 and 3. Also notice the 5 is different.
Eric