When buying a Harley Davidson, you need to check the VIN of the bike, and make sure it matches then engine and title. If not, there may be something wrong with the paperwork, bike or a replaced engine. Buyer beware.
VIN Decoder:
Frame ID Numbers - 1981 and Later
Example: 1HD1AAK11BYO13478
The frame number is broken
down like this:
1 HD 1 AA K 1 1 B Y 013278
1 = Made in U.S.A.
HD = Harley Davidson
1 = Weight Class
1 = Heavyweight
4 = Lightweight
8 = Sidecar
AA = Model Designation
K = Engine Displacement
K = 1340 Shovelhead
H = 1000 Ironhead XL
L = 1340 Evolution
M = 883 Evolution XL
N = 1100 Evolution XL
P = 1200 Evolution XL
1 = Introduction Date
1 = Regular Introduction
2 = Mid-Year (January)
3 = California Special
4 = Daytona (March)
1 = Check Digit
B = Model Year
B = 1981 C = 1982
D = 1983 E = 1984
F = 1985 G = 1986
H = 1987 J = 1988
K = 1989 L = 1990
M = 1991 N = 1992
P = 1993 R = 1994
S = 1995 T = 1996
U = 1997
Y = Plant of Manufacture (York, PA)
T = Plant of Manufacture (Tomahawk, WI)
J = Plant of Manufacture (Milwaukee, WI)
013278 = Sequential Number
FL/FX Models
AA FLH - 80
AB FLHP - 80 Chain
AC FLH - 80 Shrine Chain
AD FLH - Classic
AG FLH - Classic w/ sidecar
AH FLHP - 80 Belt Deluxe
AJ FLH - 80 Heritage
AK FLHS - 80
AL FLH - 80 Shrine Belt
BA FXE - 80
BB FXEF - 80
BC FXS - 80
BD FXB - 80
BE FXWG - 80
BF FXSB - 80
BG FXDG
BH FXST
BJ FLST/FLSTC
BK FXSTC
BL FXSTS
BM FLSTF
BN FLSTN
BP FXSTSB
FLT/FXR Police Models
DA FLHTP - Windshield 1984 and later
DF FLHTP - Fairing
ED FXRP - Windshield
EF FXRP - Fairing
EK FXRP - C.H.P.
FLT/FXR Models
AE 1981 FLT
AF 1981 FLTC
DA FLT 1982 and 1983 only
DB FLTC
DC FLHT
DD FLHTC
DE FLHTC w/ Sidecar
DG FLHTC Shrine
DH FLTC w/Sidecar
DJ FLHTC 1986 - present
DK FLTC Shrine
DM FLTCU - Ultra
DN FLTCU - Ultra w/Sidecar
DP FLHTCU - Ultra
DR FLHTCU - Ultra w/Sidecar
DS FLTCU - Ultra Shrine
DT FLHTCU - Ultra Shrine
EA FXR
EB FXRS
EC FXRT
EE FXRDG
EG FXRS-SP Sport Edition
EH FXRD
EJ FXRC
EL FXLR
EM FXRS - CON
FA FLHS
FB FLHR-I Injected
FC FLHTCU-I Injected
FD FLHR
FE FLTCU-I Injected
FF FLHTC-I Injected
Dyna Glides
GA FXDB-D Daytona
GB FXDB-S Sturgis
GC FXDC
GD FXDL
GE FXDWG
GG FXDS-CON
GH FXD
XL Models
CA XLH
XLH 1000cc 1981 - 1985
XLH 883 1986 - 1987
XLH 883 Deluxe
XLH 1100
XLH 883 1988 - present
XLH 1200
CB XLS 1981 - 1985
CC XLX 1981 - 1985
CD XR-1000, 1983 - 1985
CE XLH 883 Hugger 1987 - present
CF XLH 883 Deluxe 1988 - present
CG XLH 1200 Custom
CH XLH 1200 Sport
Sidecars
SA CLE Purchased w/FLH
SD CLE Purchased w/FLH
SE CLE Separate
SF TLE Purchased w/FLTC/FLHTC
SG TLE Separate
SH CLE Purchased w/FLHX
GX TLE
HX RLE
KX TLE Ultra
Frame ID Numbers - 1970-1980
Motorcycle Serial Numbers
Vehicle Identification Number (V.I.N.) is located on the engine crankcase and is the same as the number located on frame steering head.
Example: 1A 13478 H7
1A = Model Designation 1A = FL-1200 6E = FXEF-80 2A = FLH-1200 7E = FLHS-1200 3A = XLH-1000 9E = SS-250 4A = XLCH-1000 2F = FXS-1200 5A = GE-750 3F = SXT-125 6A = SS-350 Sprint 4F = SS-175 7A = SX-125 6F = SS-125 8A = M65-S 7F = XLCR-1000 7B = ERS 2G = XLT-1000 8B = MSR-100 3G = FLH-80 2C = FX-1200 5G = FLT-80 3C = SX-350 Sprint 6G = FXE-80 5C = MC-65 7G = FXS-80 6C = SR-100 9G = FXWG-80 1D = LE Sidecar 1H = FXB-80 2D = X-90 2H = CLE Sidecar 3D = Z-90 3H = FLH-80 Classic 5D = SX-175 5H = FLHS-80 6D = SX-250 6H = FL-80 7D = MX-250 7H = FLH-1200 Police 9D = FXE-1200 8H = FLH-1200 Shrine 4E = XLS-1000 9H = FLH-80 Police 5E = FXEF-1200 1K = FLH-80 Shrine 13478 = Sequential Number H = Decade Code H = 1970 thru 1979 J = 1980 only 7 = Model Season 0 = 1970 1 = 1971 2 = 1972 3 = 1973 4 = 1974 5 = 1975 6 = 1976 7 = 1977 8 = 1978 9 = 1979
Crankcase Identification Numbers
Numbers located on both left and right crankcase halves.
Big Twin: Left Case - Outside, Lower Front
Right Case - Inside, Gear case Compartment
XL Models: Left Case - Inside, Primary Compartment
Right Case - Outside, Near Oil Pump
Stamped at Capitol Drive Facility
Used to identify engine and track production changes
Example: 1588 321 007
15 = Engine Designation
1 = 1200cc Shovelhead
7 = 1000cc Iron XL
14 = 1340cc Shovelhead
15 = 1340cc Evolution
16 = XR-1000
17 = 883cc Evolution XL
18 = 1100cc Evolution XL
19 = 1200cc Evolution XL
20 = 1340cc Evolution, California (1988 - *)
21 = 883cc Evolution XL, California (1988 - *)
22 = 1200cc Evolution XL, California (1988 - *)
88 = Model Year
321 = Day of Production
001 = Jan. 1st 182 = Jul. 1st
032 = Feb. 1st 213 = Aug. 1st
060 = Mar. 1st 244 = Sep. 1st
091 = Apr. 1st 274 = Oct. 1st
121 = May 1st 305 = Nov. 1st
152 = Jun. 1st 335 = Dec. 1st
007 = Number That Day
This should only be used as a guide only. Even Harley-Davidson admit there are some discrepancies in their vin numbers.
VIN Decoder:
Frame ID Numbers - 1981 and Later
Example: 1HD1AAK11BYO13478
The frame number is broken
down like this:
1 HD 1 AA K 1 1 B Y 013278
1 = Made in U.S.A.
HD = Harley Davidson
1 = Weight Class
1 = Heavyweight
4 = Lightweight
8 = Sidecar
AA = Model Designation
K = Engine Displacement
K = 1340 Shovelhead
H = 1000 Ironhead XL
L = 1340 Evolution
M = 883 Evolution XL
N = 1100 Evolution XL
P = 1200 Evolution XL
1 = Introduction Date
1 = Regular Introduction
2 = Mid-Year (January)
3 = California Special
4 = Daytona (March)
1 = Check Digit
B = Model Year
B = 1981 C = 1982
D = 1983 E = 1984
F = 1985 G = 1986
H = 1987 J = 1988
K = 1989 L = 1990
M = 1991 N = 1992
P = 1993 R = 1994
S = 1995 T = 1996
U = 1997
Y = Plant of Manufacture (York, PA)
T = Plant of Manufacture (Tomahawk, WI)
J = Plant of Manufacture (Milwaukee, WI)
013278 = Sequential Number
FL/FX Models
AA FLH - 80
AB FLHP - 80 Chain
AC FLH - 80 Shrine Chain
AD FLH - Classic
AG FLH - Classic w/ sidecar
AH FLHP - 80 Belt Deluxe
AJ FLH - 80 Heritage
AK FLHS - 80
AL FLH - 80 Shrine Belt
BA FXE - 80
BB FXEF - 80
BC FXS - 80
BD FXB - 80
BE FXWG - 80
BF FXSB - 80
BG FXDG
BH FXST
BJ FLST/FLSTC
BK FXSTC
BL FXSTS
BM FLSTF
BN FLSTN
BP FXSTSB
FLT/FXR Police Models
DA FLHTP - Windshield 1984 and later
DF FLHTP - Fairing
ED FXRP - Windshield
EF FXRP - Fairing
EK FXRP - C.H.P.
FLT/FXR Models
AE 1981 FLT
AF 1981 FLTC
DA FLT 1982 and 1983 only
DB FLTC
DC FLHT
DD FLHTC
DE FLHTC w/ Sidecar
DG FLHTC Shrine
DH FLTC w/Sidecar
DJ FLHTC 1986 - present
DK FLTC Shrine
DM FLTCU - Ultra
DN FLTCU - Ultra w/Sidecar
DP FLHTCU - Ultra
DR FLHTCU - Ultra w/Sidecar
DS FLTCU - Ultra Shrine
DT FLHTCU - Ultra Shrine
EA FXR
EB FXRS
EC FXRT
EE FXRDG
EG FXRS-SP Sport Edition
EH FXRD
EJ FXRC
EL FXLR
EM FXRS - CON
FA FLHS
FB FLHR-I Injected
FC FLHTCU-I Injected
FD FLHR
FE FLTCU-I Injected
FF FLHTC-I Injected
Dyna Glides
GA FXDB-D Daytona
GB FXDB-S Sturgis
GC FXDC
GD FXDL
GE FXDWG
GG FXDS-CON
GH FXD
XL Models
CA XLH
XLH 1000cc 1981 - 1985
XLH 883 1986 - 1987
XLH 883 Deluxe
XLH 1100
XLH 883 1988 - present
XLH 1200
CB XLS 1981 - 1985
CC XLX 1981 - 1985
CD XR-1000, 1983 - 1985
CE XLH 883 Hugger 1987 - present
CF XLH 883 Deluxe 1988 - present
CG XLH 1200 Custom
CH XLH 1200 Sport
Sidecars
SA CLE Purchased w/FLH
SD CLE Purchased w/FLH
SE CLE Separate
SF TLE Purchased w/FLTC/FLHTC
SG TLE Separate
SH CLE Purchased w/FLHX
GX TLE
HX RLE
KX TLE Ultra
Frame ID Numbers - 1970-1980
Motorcycle Serial Numbers
Vehicle Identification Number (V.I.N.) is located on the engine crankcase and is the same as the number located on frame steering head.
Example: 1A 13478 H7
1A = Model Designation 1A = FL-1200 6E = FXEF-80 2A = FLH-1200 7E = FLHS-1200 3A = XLH-1000 9E = SS-250 4A = XLCH-1000 2F = FXS-1200 5A = GE-750 3F = SXT-125 6A = SS-350 Sprint 4F = SS-175 7A = SX-125 6F = SS-125 8A = M65-S 7F = XLCR-1000 7B = ERS 2G = XLT-1000 8B = MSR-100 3G = FLH-80 2C = FX-1200 5G = FLT-80 3C = SX-350 Sprint 6G = FXE-80 5C = MC-65 7G = FXS-80 6C = SR-100 9G = FXWG-80 1D = LE Sidecar 1H = FXB-80 2D = X-90 2H = CLE Sidecar 3D = Z-90 3H = FLH-80 Classic 5D = SX-175 5H = FLHS-80 6D = SX-250 6H = FL-80 7D = MX-250 7H = FLH-1200 Police 9D = FXE-1200 8H = FLH-1200 Shrine 4E = XLS-1000 9H = FLH-80 Police 5E = FXEF-1200 1K = FLH-80 Shrine 13478 = Sequential Number H = Decade Code H = 1970 thru 1979 J = 1980 only 7 = Model Season 0 = 1970 1 = 1971 2 = 1972 3 = 1973 4 = 1974 5 = 1975 6 = 1976 7 = 1977 8 = 1978 9 = 1979
Crankcase Identification Numbers
Numbers located on both left and right crankcase halves.
Big Twin: Left Case - Outside, Lower Front
Right Case - Inside, Gear case Compartment
XL Models: Left Case - Inside, Primary Compartment
Right Case - Outside, Near Oil Pump
Stamped at Capitol Drive Facility
Used to identify engine and track production changes
Example: 1588 321 007
15 = Engine Designation
1 = 1200cc Shovelhead
7 = 1000cc Iron XL
14 = 1340cc Shovelhead
15 = 1340cc Evolution
16 = XR-1000
17 = 883cc Evolution XL
18 = 1100cc Evolution XL
19 = 1200cc Evolution XL
20 = 1340cc Evolution, California (1988 - *)
21 = 883cc Evolution XL, California (1988 - *)
22 = 1200cc Evolution XL, California (1988 - *)
88 = Model Year
321 = Day of Production
001 = Jan. 1st 182 = Jul. 1st
032 = Feb. 1st 213 = Aug. 1st
060 = Mar. 1st 244 = Sep. 1st
091 = Apr. 1st 274 = Oct. 1st
121 = May 1st 305 = Nov. 1st
152 = Jun. 1st 335 = Dec. 1st
007 = Number That Day
This should only be used as a guide only. Even Harley-Davidson admit there are some discrepancies in their vin numbers.