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Harley-Davidson Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs)

 

Mid 1930's - 1969   Good Old Days.... The Engine Number is the VIN and is Located on the Left
                                 Case just above the Timing Plug.  (No Matching Frame Number)

First Two Numbers are the year, the next Characters are the model (could be up to four letters), all remaining characters (usually four, but maybe five) are "sequential" production numbers.
In 1962 Harley started "coding" the production numbers... if the model year was even, the first number would be even and odd for odd years (four digit production numbers).
If it had a five digit production number, the first two digits followed this odd-even scheme.

Example:     47EL3871  ------>  This is a 1947 Overhead Valve 61in³ Engine.
                                                    Note: 1947 Was the last year of the Overhead Valve "Knucklehead"
                                                   

1970 - 1980            Matching Numbers Stamped on both Engine and Frame.
                               Engine Number is on the Right Side Crankcase.
                               Frame Number is on the Right Side Steering Head.
                               Note: The Frame Number is Considered the "Legal" VIN number.

First two characters code the model, The last two characters code the year, the remaining numbers in the middle are "sequential" production or serial numbers.
Note: The first two production digits follow the odd-even scheme introduced in 1962.

Example:     2F24345H8  ------>  This is a 1978 FXS-1200 "Low-Rider".   

1981 - Later           17 Character VIN Number on Frame and an Abbreviated Number on Engine.
                               Engine Number is on the Crankcase (right side ... back to the left side later)
                               Frame Number is on the Right Side Steering Head.
                               Note: The Frame Number is Considered the "Legal" VIN number.

Example:     1HD1BEK16CY223456  ------>  Frame Number..... This is a 1982 FXWG-80 "Wide-Glide".
                               BEK16CY223456  ------>  Engine Number.

                                                        Sequential Production or Serial Number
                                                Plant of Manufacture... Y = York, PA                T = Tomahawk, WI
                                                                                        J = Milwaukee, WI     K = Kansas City, Mo.
                                              Model Year Code (See Below)
                                           Check Digit... Could be 0-9 or X.
                                          Introduction Date....    1 = Regular Introduction        2 = Mid-Year (January)
                                                                                3 = California Special             4 = Daytona (March)
                                       Engine Displacement Code (See Below)
                                   Model Designation Code (See Below and Note: The Sportster Exception*)
                               Weight Class.....    1 = Heavyweight    4 = Lightweight    8 = SideCar
                          1 = Made In USA    HD = Harley-Davidson

* Sportster Exception
1986 - Up ......  The 5th, 6th, and 7th Character are used to designate the Model and Engine.

Example:     1HD1CAP16JK423456  ------>  This would be a 1988 XLH 1200