Chrome rims on 1949 Model S

Here's where to ask questions and get answers

Chrome rims on 1949 Model S

Postby bobscogin » Thu Sep 20, 2018 5:02 pm

Could a '49 Model S 125 have come from the factory with chrome rims, or were all painted?

Bob
bobscogin
 
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2018 7:40 pm

Re: Chrome rims on 1949 Model S

Postby Mutt » Thu Sep 20, 2018 5:14 pm

Yep, most 49 models left the Factory with chrome rims. See link

https://www.harleyhummerclub.org/member ... index.html
Mutt
 
Posts: 452
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2018 10:11 am

Re: Chrome rims on 1949 Model S

Postby Keith Hummer » Thu Sep 20, 2018 5:46 pm

I think your right Mutt. I believe chrome rims and handle bars were an option along with colors of paint. Black, red, ?
Keith Hummer
 
Posts: 33
Joined: Wed Jun 06, 2018 2:22 pm

Re: Chrome rims on 1949 Model S

Postby bobscogin » Thu Sep 20, 2018 6:08 pm

Mutt wrote:Yep, most 49 models left the Factory with chrome rims. See link

https://www.harleyhummerclub.org/member ... index.html

Thanks, Mutt. I'm going to look at a black '49 and a red '55 Hummer tomorrow and the '49 has chrome rims. Wasn't sure if that was correct.
bobscogin
 
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2018 7:40 pm

Re: Chrome rims on 1949 Model S

Postby bobscogin » Thu Sep 20, 2018 6:20 pm

IMG_1989.JPG
IMG_1989.JPG (476.65 KiB) Viewed 13323 times
Chrome handlebars too.
Bob
bobscogin
 
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2018 7:40 pm

Re: Chrome rims on 1949 Model S

Postby hennesse » Fri Sep 21, 2018 3:43 pm

The Short Answers

Chrome Rims - were an option on new bikes throughout the year.
Chrome Handlebars - were probably available as an Accessory from mid-model year 1949. They were only available on new bikes starting May 6, 1949.
Colors - Black, all year. Flight Red and Azure Blue, available on new bikes starting May 6, 1949.


We have to examine 4 pieces of literature in order to unravel these questions.

1) 1949 Season Order Blank (SOB)
This is shown in The Legend Begins (TLB). Harley sometimes revised the SOBs during the model year, for various reasons. Only one version is shown in TLB. Many of the SOBs have a date code in the upper left corner. The 1949 shown in TLB does not, so we can't tell whether it was the first one for the model year, or a revision. I think it was revision. (Why? Keep reading.).

1949-sob.jpg
1949 Season Order Blank - Excerpt
Cut-off words at right are "Sheepskin" and "Saddle Bags"
1949-sob.jpg (78.34 KiB) Viewed 13284 times


The Season Order Blank shows that Chrome Rims were the only option. Below that, we see that Accessories, available on Parts Order, which include "Handlebars". We think they left out the word "Chrome".

2) 1949 Spare Parts Catalog (SPC)
The 1949 SPC, dated November 1, 1948, shows the available accessories on the inside rear cover. They are: Sheepskin Saddle Cover, Chrome Mirror, Grease Gun, Chrome License Frame, All Plastic WindShield, Set of Stainless Steel Fender Tips, Safety Guard, DeLuxe Saddlebags, Luggage Carrier, Stoplight Fittings, and Tire Pump.

Chrome handlebars are NOT listed on the Accessories page. They are NOT listed in the Handlebars section. It appears that they were NOT available on November 1, 1948, contradictory to what the SOB says. So either the SOB is a revision (more likely IMHO), or the SPC editor just snoozed when doing the Handlebar section (less likely IMHO).

3) 1949 Spring Special factory-to-dealer letter and order blank
The 1949 Spring Special was announced to dealers on May 6, 1949. Read the very bottom of the order blank carefully. The Special Colors (Flight Red and Azure Blue) are only available with the chrome handlebars. "On Black, chrome bars are optional and must be specified". So, starting May 6, 1949, chrome handlebars were avaiable from the factory.

4) 1950 SOB
The 1950 SOB dated 11-1-1949 shows Chrome Handlebars as an option on new 1950 bikes.

And you thought this was an easy question...


-----
You REALLY need to own the book The Legend Begins Harley P/N: 99403-93, available at your local H-D dealership.
User avatar
hennesse
Site Admin
 
Posts: 68
Joined: Mon May 14, 2018 2:05 pm

Re: Chrome rims on 1949 Model S

Postby bobscogin » Fri Sep 21, 2018 5:26 pm

Thanks for all the input. I picked up the bike today. The serial number is 49S1006. Where in the model year would this number fall?
Bob
bobscogin
 
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2018 7:40 pm

Re: Chrome rims on 1949 Model S

Postby hennesse » Fri Sep 21, 2018 8:57 pm

Shipping Date Guess-O-Meter

Step 1: Subtract 1000 from your serial number to get the production number. e.g. 49 S 1006 minus 1000 = 6 Why? Harley started each year at 1000 or 1001 (it varied)

Step 2: Look up the total production for your year - over in How To Restore, Chapter 2. For 1949 it is 7291. Divide that by 12 to get the monthly production. 7291 divided-by 12 = 608. So - during month #1, they made production number 1 through 608. During month #2, they made production number 609 through 1216, etc.

Step 3 - Find the month where your production number falls. Pretty easy in your case - month #1 (And day #1 to boot!)

Step 4: Calculate which month that is. The automotive model year runs from September 1 to August 31.

So, out BEST GUESS estimate is that your bike 49 S 1006 was produced in September 1948

-----
Please read this article from the K-model website. Most of that information applies to all Harleys, although there are a couple of K-specific items.
User avatar
hennesse
Site Admin
 
Posts: 68
Joined: Mon May 14, 2018 2:05 pm

Re: Chrome rims on 1949 Model S

Postby bobscogin » Fri Sep 21, 2018 10:16 pm

Great info on dating the production date. Thanks! As I look over the details, I find another mystery. This early '49 has the early style fork neck utilizing a tube weldment rather than the 1950+ forged neck part, but has the kickstand on the footrest shaft. According to sources here, it should still be on a bracket welded to the frame. Correct?

Bob
bobscogin
 
Posts: 64
Joined: Tue Jun 05, 2018 7:40 pm

Re: Chrome rims on 1949 Model S

Postby Mutt » Sat Sep 22, 2018 12:16 pm

yes, all 48 and 49 models had the welded on kickstand bracket, reverse wound seat spring, the tube neck and the british looking seat
Mutt
 
Posts: 452
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2018 10:11 am


Return to HELP with Restoration and Running

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 39 guests

cron