Number Inside Timing Cover

I finally got my timing cover off today (auto advance camplate gave me trouble) and the number "87" was hand written on the inside top of the cover. It looked etched in with a tool but when I wiped it to see it wiped off . On the inside of the crank case blanking plate the number "121" is hand written. I assume these are old marks from guys working on the assembly line - which is pretty cool to see 46 years later. I worked briefly in a small custom cabinet shop and the guys liked to sign pieces where nobody would ever see them unless they were pulled all the way apart for some reason.

Just like the old timber framed houses over here in Germany and no doubt in England, just like stepping back into the past. I try imagining the people who built my bike.

Ha! This reminds me of what I would see on the top of a brick chimney, Many old time masons would press a nickle into the concrete wash at the top of the chimney. and their initials too. The date of the nickle would be when they built the chimney. I was a home inspector for 15 years and always tried to get to the top f a chimney.