1917 harley serial number

[joe]

hello to all does anybody know how to read the serial number on older harleys? i do know that 17 is the year and T is for a magneto motor but what about the other numbers to say is it a early or late probuction? the serial is 17T16004 thanks for any help joe j.:confused:

[HarleyCreation]

Originally posted by joe
hello to all does anybody know how to read the serial number on older harleys? i do know that 17 is the year and T is for a magneto motor but what about the other numbers to say is it a early or late probuction? the serial is 17T16004 thanks for any help joe j.:confused:

You're confused because the factory numbering system during these years was CONFUSING.

Total production of all models together (mag. and generator) is given as 18,522 by H-D in "The Legend Begins," so "16004" would appear to be a high number -- late production. They appear to have combined all models together to get that high a number, although the layout sheet says that generator twins had a L17T motor number and the singles a 17S motor number while the mag twins had a 17T number like yours. Sidecar machines had "S" at the end of their number. Not sure all these actually appear on the crankcase, only what this gen-u-whine 1917 sheet says.

Serial numbers started at 1000 (not 1001) until the mid-1950s. Racer numbers started with 100 or 500.

[joe]

hello and thank you for your help. joe:)