by Ferrous_Head » Wed Aug 01, 2018 5:32 pm
To quote from some long dead poet ..... "A rose by any other name ......"
I'm not sure why people do get so emotional about a particular engine or frame stamping. Two identical parts except for a number stamped into it. Seriously.
Where one part has evolved and been "improved" by the factory, then yes. That part may have more value, or less depending on some emotional attachment to what is in effect a part number.
There is no doubt in my mind that HD attempted to improve their bikes over time. And for a time, they did so. Others will disagree with me on that point but I just don't value a 1989 Sportster as much as I do a 1965.
Had HD put aside one bike as a reference for future generations that would have been fantastic. Alas, for me, unless I bought the bike brand new from the dealer I can never really be sure it's as the factory built it and without the proper factory paperwork I just can't be sure what THEY considered it to be.
I read an article recently that described how an owner bought a new XLRTT in 1965. And he ordered it from the factory with a vertically mounted magneto. Now, does this deviate from the "factory specifications" that decide what is an XLRTT ? It now is a mix of XLRTT and xLCH parts. So, an xlrttch ? If the factory makes the change it's ok but if an owner makes it, no ?
Ok. Ok. I know I'm a heathen. I'll slink slowly away now.
"I know only too well the evil that I propose, but my inclinations get the better of me."