How to Measure Harley Shocks

The shock absorbers are the metal piston and spring mechanism on the back of this bike.

The simplest job you can do on a Harley is measure the shock absorbers. Depending on the year and model of your motorcycle, replacement shock absorbers can be found in lengths from about 11 inches to about 14 inches. Commonly, aftermarket shocks are sold in pairs that are described either as stock or as some measurement, up to 1 1/2 inches, "under" standard length. Standard length of the shocks on most recent Sportsters, for example, is 13.5 inches. So a 12.5-inch-long Sportster shock absorber would be sold as a "one under." Aftermarket manufacturers do not always agree with Harley-Davidson on how shocks should be measured; this is how Harley says to do it.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Steel ruler at least 18 inches long

• 1
  Shock absorbers connect the frame to the swingarm.

  Unload the motorcycle. Unload the saddlebags.

• 2

  Bounce the rear of the motorcycle up and down several times. Ensure the suspension is free and not binding.

• 3

  Measure the distance from the center of the upper shock bolt to the center of the lower shock bolt with a steel rule

How to Identify a Harley Davidson Motorcycle

A Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

Created in 1908 by childhood friends William Harley and Arthur Davidson, simple beginnings have given way to worldwide success. Through World Wars, the Great Depression and company reorganization, Harley-Davidson has withstood the test of time and continues to produce, market and sell some of the highest-quality motorcycles in the industry.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. • 1

     Look for the Harley-Davidson logo, which is a shield with the words "Motor" and "Cycles" on the top and bottom of the shield, respectively. Across the front of the shield in a thin rectangular box is the name "Harley-Davidson," written in all caps. Often accompanied by outstretched wings that originate from the middle of the shield, this logo is an unmistakable identifier that the motorcycle you see is a Harley-Davidson.

   • 2

     Listen for the engine sound. A Harley engine has two pistons connected to a crankshaft with a single pin. This engine arrangement creates a series of syncopated "pops" as the engine revolves, creating the hallmark Harley-Davidson sound. Audio of several types of Harleys' engines can be heard on the web (see Resource).

   • 3

     Find a Harley-Davidson dealership. There are over 800 Harley-Davidson dealerships in the United States. Click the "Dealer Locator" tab at the top of the Harley-Davidson webpage and input your zip code to find the location nearest you.

   • 4

     Visit a Harley dealership. Whether you are visiting to get more information, learning to ride a motorcycle or signing on the dotted line for a new one, visitors are encouraged to spend time looking around and asking questions. Spend time talking with salespeople and other enthusiasts, as they will likely be able to offer more advice on Harley identification.

How to Check Harley VIN Numbers

Check a Harley VIN by looking it up in a database.

Every Harley-Davidson motorcycle carries a unique vehicle identification number (VIN), which insurance companies and the Department of Motor Vehicles use to keep track of the motorcycles. A VIN is also used to track maintenance schedules, warranty claims, recalls and theft. For motorcycles built between the 1930s and 1969, the engine number serves as the VIN. For motorcycles built between 1970 and 1980, the numbers are located on the frame and the engine. Only the number on the frame is considered the legal VIN after 1969; there might be a different VIN on the engine if the engine was replaced. A VIN on a Harley made until 1980 can be of varying length. From 1981 onward, Harleys have 17-digit VIN numbers.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. • 1

     Locate the VIN on the Harley and write it down on a piece of paper.

   • 2

     Go to the Motoverse: Harley-Davidson VIN Decoder website (see Resources) if your Harley was built in 1981 or later. Type the 17-digit Harley VIN in the "Enter your Harley VIN number" box.

   • 3

     Click on "Go." The Motoverse VIN decoding service will generate a report that describes information carried by the motorcycle VIN, including model, engine type and the year it was manufactured.

   • 4

     Go to the Harley-Davidson Service Checkup website (see Resources). Type in your Harley's 17-digit VIN and its approximate mileage, and then click on "Get Checkup" to see maintenance plans for your motorcycle.

   • 5

     Call Harley Davidson at 414-343-4056 if your motorcycle was built before 1981. Provide your VIN to the customer service representative so he can look up information about your motorcycle.

About the Harley Davidson Logo

About the Harley Davidson Logo

The Harley-Davidson logo is world famous for the motorcycles to which it is attached, and the history that is associated with it. Since the inception of the company, the logo became the one symbol most intimately tied in with motorcycle sports, clubs,and sadly also biker gang notoriety.

1. History

   • W. Harley on the right

     The Harley-Davidson logo belongs to the Harley-Davidson Motor Company that is world famous for its motorcycles. It was founded in 1903 by William Harley and his childhood friend Arthur Davidson. His brothers, Walter Davidson and William Davidson, joined the two friends when the initial motorcycle failed to perform according to plan.

   First Logo Appearance

   • The first Harley-Davidson logo to appear in an ad campaign features the now world famous "Harley-Davidson Motor Cycles" emblem in red and green. It is a historic advertisement from the 1920s and suggests that the company sees itself as a global rather than national force in the manufacture and sale of motorcycles. Today the logo is only slightly changed and kept in orange and white, but it is otherwise virtually the same as the original logo design. You may see the 1920s ad at the online Harley-Davidson Museum exhibit. See the Resources section for a link.

   Logo Changes

   • Harley-Davidson began manufacturing conveyances other than just motorcycles in the 1960s. In order to prevent an adverse use of the well known company symbol--after all, slow golf carts were one of the transportation devices built--a new Harley-Davidson logo was designed in 1964. The Hogdom site (a link is provided in the resources section) suggests that this new logo only featured the words "Harley-Davidson" and omitted any reference to motorcycles. The logo was changed back toward the end of the 1980s when the company experienced a resurgence in popularity.

   Registered Trademark

   • Even as researchers find that the actual design history of the logo is hard to trace, it is a well known fact that the logo is licensed and as such may not be used without the express consent of the Harley-Davidson Company. The Dinesh site (a link is placed in the resources section) suggests that in the year 2004, the company earned $41 million just through logo licensing.

   Common Harley Davidson Logo Uses

   • Today the Harley-Davidson logo is found not only on motorcycles, but also on patches affixed to jackets, on belt buckles, and of course as the quintessential biker tattoo on a variety of body parts. MySpace layouts include Harley-Davidson inspired designs, and there are also motorcycle clubs that integrate the logo into their personal club symbol design.

How to Determine If a 1961 Harley Davidson Is a Police Bike

Harley Davidson pioneered the V-Twin style motorcycle engine in 1909.

Vintage Harley Davidson motorcycles are fantastic to ride and beautiful to look at, even in police black-and-white. In 1961, Harley Davidson motorcycles were the bike of choice for police departments all over the world. Harley Davidson Panhead bikes had been seen in police applications as far away as Korea in the early 1960s. A 1961 Harley that was once a police bike would make an interesting addition to any collector's arsenal and potentially be worth a lot of money.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Picture(s) of 1961 Harley Davidson police motorcycles

1. • 1

     Inspect your 1961 Harley Davidson motorcycle and see if there are any obvious signs that it was once a police vehicle. This could be anything from insignias on the body or wheel wells to colored lights on either side of the main headlight or on the back of the bike.

   • 2

     Compare your motorcycle to photographs of other 1961 Harley Davidson motorcycles that were police bikes. Compare the features common in the police bikes to those on your motorcycle to find similarities. This can be tricky, as the body styles for motorcycles made in 1961 by Harley Davidson were very similar, whether they were police bikes or not. Many police motorcycles in 1961 were either panhead or trike style.

   • 3

     Search your motorcycle's VIN in vehicle history databases to see if you can determine the line of ownership. If it was a police motorcycle, a state police department or other government body would be listed as a previous owner. Vehicle history reports can be found online through services such as Carfax or AutoCheck.

Tips & Warnings

• Be diligent in your search for information about your bike. The history of things can be hard to dig up sometimes, especially when a long period of time has passed since it happened.

• You may not be able to obtain the VIN on your motorcycle if it is in serious disrepair, i.e. rusted beyond recognition. In this case, obtaining a vehicle history report may be impossible.

How to Install a Harley Gas Tank Emblem

Transform your Harley with a dramatic gas tank emblem.

Attached with simple double-sided tape, motorcycle emblems on modern motorcycles are made from masking vinyl, decal vinyl or chrome-coated vinyl. Real metal emblems -- the ultimate gas tank accent -- have not been used since the early days of the Indian motorcycle. Hells Bells Customs creates one-of-a-kind 3-D metal tank sculptures that are integrated into the tank's construction, but these custom works of art need to be installed by Hells Bells.



For a simple do-it-yourself alternative, choose from a wide variety of vinyl or chrome-coated vinyl decals readily available online; transform your Harley into a one-of-kind in minutes. Depending upon the look you are trying to achieve and the size and theme of the emblem, it can be applied to the top side, right side or left side of the tank.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Clean cloth
• Cloth tape measure
• Crayon
• Adhesive glue, panel bond or double-sided tape

1. Preparation and Installation

   • 1

     Clean the area where the emblem will be placed. Apply rubbing alcohol to a clean cloth and wipe the area thoroughly. Continue when the area is dry to the touch.

   • 2

     Set the emblem in place. Measure for a perfectly centered fit. Draw an outline of the emblem with a crayon.

   • 3

     Proceed to step 4 if the emblem has an adhesive backing. Apply adhesive, double-sided tape or panel bond to the back side of the emblem. Apply adhesive or panel bond sparingly, ensuring the surface is covered. Cut double-sided tape to fit the decal, ensuring the tape is within the outside edges.

   • 4

     Place the emblem within the outline drawn on the gas tank. Press it firmly onto the gas tank making sure all the edges are flush with the gas tank. Smooth the emblem lightly with your fingers to ensure there are no bubbles or ripples. Continue to press firmly for a couple of minutes or more.

   • 5

     Apply rubbing alcohol to a clean cloth and remove the crayon outline and excess adhesive. Allow the adhesive to set for at least 24 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow the adhesive to cure completely before riding the motorcycle.

• Smooth the edges periodically throughout the curing process to ensure the emblem is sticking to the gas tank uniformly.

How to Decode Harley Cylinder Casting Numbers

You will find casting codes on various parts of your Harley.

Different numbers are stamped in different locations on your Harley Davidson motorcycle. The Vehicle Identification Number is on the swingarm frame and on the crankcase. Numbers are also stamped on the cylinder. Some might think this is the parts number, but the three-part number stands for the casting number. Casting numbers indicate when the part was cast or manufactured. This lets you know how old the part is. It is possible to have parts with different casting numbers.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. • 1

     Look closely at the casting numbers on your Harley cylinder; find a letter and two numbers. Note the two dashes. One comes after the letter, and one after the first number.

   • 2

     Determine where the letter falls in the alphabet. The letter "B" is the second letter of the alphabet. On a Harley that signifies February, the second month of the year. This is the month the Harley was manufactured.

   • 3

     Look at the first number. It indicates the day of the month the motorcycle was made. The second number indicates the year it was manufactured.