Examples of Good and Bad Serial Numbers ('62-'69)
1962-1969 Odd / Even Rule - Remove the model code and last 3 numbers of the Serial Number (which leaves the bold numbers in VINs below) The remaining digits in the serial number(s) must be even for even years and odd for odd years 9) |
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Engine Numbers | 4 Digit Serial | 5 Digit Serial | ||
63XLH8133 | Vin becomes 63…8 | Check numbers 63 vs 8 | 1 even & 1 odd number = failed the rule test | |
63XLH81336 | Vin becomes 63…81 | Check numbers 63 vs 81 | Both odd numbers = passed the rule test | |
68XLCH6729 | Vin becomes 68…6 | Check numbers 68 vs 6 | Both even numbers = passed the rule test | |
68XLCH67295 | Vin becomes 68…67 | Check numbers 68 vs 67 | 1 even and 1 odd number = failed the rule test |
Engine #s for 1957-1969 Models (motor numbers only) | ||
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Model Year (first 2 digits) | Model (next 2 digits) (up to 4) | Sequential Serial# (remaining digits) |
(example) 57 | XL XLH XLC XLCH XLRTT XLR | (example) 12345 |
Example: (57XL 12345) indicates a 1957 XL model and is stamped on Left Engine Case Between the Cylinders 10) | ||
Example VIN Reads | ||
57 | XL | 12345 |
VIN for 1970-1978 Models | |||
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Sportster Model Code (first 2 digits) | Serial Number (next 5 digits) | Manufacturer (second to last digit) | Model Year (last digit) |
3A - XLH 4A - XLCH 2G - XLT 9B - XLRTT 1C - XR-750 4D - XLA 7F - XLCR 4E - XLS | Starting from 10,000 and up | H = Harley Davidson | 0 - 1970 1 - 1971 2 - 1972 3 - 1973 4 - 1974 5 - 1975 6 - 1976 7 - 1977 8 - 1978 |
Example: (4A13675H0) indicates a 1970 XLCH and is stamped on the right side engine case and on the frame with the addition of a label on the steering head showing the VIN and date of manufacture. 19) |
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Example VIN Reads | |||
4A | 13675 | H | 0 |
VIN for 1979-1980 Models | |||
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Sportster Model (first 2 digits) | Serial Number (next 5 digits) | Manufacturer (2nd to last digit) | Model Season (last digit) |
3A - XLH 4A - XLCH 4E - XLS | 10,000 and up | H - (1979 HD) J - (1980 HD) | 9 - (1979) 0 - (1980) |
Example: (3A 11790 H9) indicates 1979 XLH, appearing on the engine right case and right side of steering head on the frame 32) | |||
Example VIN Reads | |||
3A | 11790 | H | 9 |
17 Digit VIN for 1981-1985 Models | |||||||||
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Origin | Make | Weight Class | Model | Engine Size | Intro Date / Special Models | VIN Check Digit | Model Year | Assembly Plant | Serial Number |
1 = Made in USA | HD = Harley Davidson | 1 = 1000cc | CA = XLH1000 CB = XLS1000 CC = XLX1000 CD = XR1000 | H = 1000cc | 1 = Regular 2 = Mid Year 3 = E1984 | Can be 0 - 9 or X | B = 1981 C = 1982 D = 1983 E = 1984 F = 1985 | Y = York, PA | 6 Digits (varies) |
Example: (1HD1CAH16BY112016) designates a 1981 XLH 1000, stamped on the steering head with a sticker VIN on the right front frame downtube. The abbreviated VIN appears on engine right case (CAHB 112016) 37) |
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Example VIN on Frame Reads | |||||||||
1 | HD | 1 | CA | H | 1 | 6 | B | Y | 112016 |
Example Abbreviated VIN on Case Reads | |||||||||
CA | H | B | 112016 |
17 Digit VIN for 1986-2006 Models | |||||||||
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Origin Or Market | Make | Weight Class | Model | Engine Size | Intro Date/ Special Models | VIN Check Digit | Model Year | Assembly Plant | Serial Number |
1 = Made in USA 1 = Made for USA 5 = Made for HDI | HD = Harley Davidson | 1 = 1100cc 1 = 1200cc 4 = 883cc | CA = XLH883 CA = XLH883 Deluxe 86-87 CA = XLH1100 CA = XLH1200 CE = XLH883 Hugger CF = XLH883 Deluxe 88-Up CG = XL1200C CH = XL1200S CJ = XL883C CK = XL883R CL = XL1200R CM = XL883L | M = 883cc N = 1100cc P = 1200cc | 1 = Regular 2 = Mid Year 3 = Regular Calif. Model 4 = Special Edition 5 = Special Ed. Calif. Model 6 = Mid Year Calif. Model 7 = Mid Year 8 = Mid Year Calif. Model | Can be 0 - 9 or X | G = 1986 H = 1987 J = 1988 K = 1989 L = 1990 M = 1991 N = 1992 P = 1993 R = 1994 S = 1995 T = 1996 V = 1997 W = 1998 X = 1999 Y = 2000 1 = 2001 2 = 2002 3 = 2003 4 = 2004 5 = 2005 6 = 2006 | Y = York, PA K = Kansas City, MO | 6 Digits (varies) |
Example1: (1HD4CAM14GY012085) designates a 1986 XLH 883, stamped on the steering head with a sticker VIN on the steering head also. The abbreviated VIN appears on engine right case (CAMG012085) |
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Example 1 VIN on Frame Reads | |||||||||
1 | HD | 4 | CA | M | 1 | 4 | G | Y | 012085 |
Example 1 Abbreviated VIN on Case Reads | |||||||||
CA | M | G | 012085 | ||||||
Example 2: (1HD4CJM161K130507) designates a 2001 883C, stamped on the steering head with a sticker VIN on the right downtube. The abbreviated VIN appears on the engine right case (CJM1130507) |
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Example 2 VIN on frame reads | |||||||||
1 | HD | 4 | CJ | M | 1 | 6 | 1 | K | 130507 |
Example 2 VIN on Case Reads | |||||||||
CJ | M | 1 | 130507 |
17 Digit VIN for 2007-2009 Models | |||||||||
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Market | Make | Weight Class | Model | Engine Size | Intro Date/ Special Models | VIN Check Digit | Model Year | Assembly Plant | Serial Number |
1 = Made for USA 5 = Made for HDI | HD = Harley Davidson | 1 = 1200cc (heavy) 4 = 883cc (middle) | CN = XL 883 CP = XL 883C CR = XL 883L CS = XL 883R CT = XL 1200C CV = XL 1200R CX = XL 1200L CY = XL 50 CZ = XL 1200N LA = XR 1200 LE = XL 883N | 2 = 883cc air cooled EFI 3 = 1200cc air cooled EFI 6 = 1200cc precision cooled EFI | 1 = Regular 2 = Mid Year 3 = Regular Calif. Model 4 = Special Edition 5 = Special Ed. Calif. Model 6 = Mid Year Calif. Model 7 = Mid Year 8 = Mid Year Calif. Model | Can be 0 - 9 or X | 7 = 2007 8 = 2008 9 = 2009 | K = Kansas City, MO | 6 Digits (varies) |
Example: (1HD1CT3169K455181) designates a 2009 XL1200C as stamped on the right steering head. There is also a sticker VIN on the right front downtube. The abbreviated VIN appears on engine right case (CT39455181) |
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Example VIN on Frame Reads (1HD1CT3169K455181) | |||||||||
1 | HD | 1 | CT | 3 | 1 | 6 | 9 | K | 455181 |
Example Abbreviated VIN on Case Reads (CT39455181) | |||||||||
CT | 3 | 9 | 455181 |
17 Digit VIN for 2010-2019 Models | |||||||||
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Market | Make | Weight Class | Model | Engine Size | Intro Date/ Special Models | VIN Check Digit | Model Year | Assembly Plant | Serial Number |
1 = Made for USA 5 = Made for HDI 932 = Made in Brazil MEG = Made in India MLY = Made in Thailand | HD = Harley Davidson | 1 = 1200cc (heavy) 4 = 883cc (middle) | CP = XL 883C CR = XL 883L CS = XL 883R CT = XL 1200C CT = XL 1200C Anniversary CX = XL 1200L CZ = XL 1200N LA = XR 1200 LC = XL 1200X LD = XR 1200X LE = XL 883N LF = XL 1200V LH = XL 1200CP LJ = XL 1200CA LK = XL 1200CB LL = XL1200T LM = XL 1200CX LP = XL 1200NS LR = XL 1200XS | 2 = 883cc air cooled EFI 3 = 1200cc air cooled EFI 6 = 1200cc precision cooled EFI | Normal 1 = Domestic 3 = Calif. only A = Canada C = HDI E = Japan G = Australia J = Brazil L = Asia Pacific N = India R = ASEAN T = China Mid Year or Special Intro 2, 4 = Domestic 5, 6 = Calif. B = Canada D = HDI F = Japan H = Australia K = Brazil M = Asia Pacific P = India S = ASEAN U = China | Can be 0 - 9 or X | A = 2010 B = 2011 C = 2012 D = 2013 E = 2014 F = 2015 G = 2016 H = 2017 J = 2018 K = 2019 | C = Kansas City, MO D = H-D Brazil- Manaus, Brazil N = Haryana India (Bawal District Rewari) S = Tasit Pluagdang, Thailand | 6 Digits (varies) |
Example: (1HD1LA619AC432019) designates a 2010 XR1200 as stamped on the right steering head. There is also a sticker VIN on the right front downtube. The abbreviated VIN appears on the engine right case (LA6A432019) |
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Example VIN on Frame Reads (1HD1LA619AC432019) | |||||||||
1 | HD | 1 | LA | 6 | 1 | 9 | A | C | 432019 |
Example Abbreviated VIN on Case Reads (LA6A432019) | |||||||||
LA | 6 | A | 432019 |
17 Digit VIN for 2020-2021 Models | |||||||||
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Market | Make | Weight Class | Model | Engine Size | Intro Date/ Special Models | VIN Check Digit | Model Year | Assembly Plant | Serial Number |
1 = Made for USA 5 = Made for HDI 932 = Made in Brazil MEG = Made in India MLY = Made in Thailand | HD = Harley Davidson | 1 = 1200cc (heavy) 4 = 883cc (middle) | CR = XL 883L CT = XL 1200C LC = XL 1200X LE = XL 883N LL = XL1200T LM = XL 1200CX LP = XL 1200NS LR = XL 1200XS | 2 = 883cc air cooled EFI 3 = 1200cc air cooled EFI | 1 = Domestic 2 = Calif. only 3 = Canada 4 = HDI 5 = Japan 6 = Australia 7 = Brazil 8 = Asia Pacific 9 = India 0 = ASEAN A = China G = HD3 | Can be 0 - 9 or X | L = 2020 M = 2021 | B = York, PA D = H-D Brazil- Manaus, Brazil N = Haryana India (Bawal District Rewari) S = Tasit Pluagdang, Thailand | 6 Digits (varies) |
Click on a pic to enlarge:
1964 XLCH Engine VIN 38) |
1968 XLCH Engine VIN 39) |
1968 XLCH Engine VIN 40) |
1969 xlch vin 41) |
Click on a pic to enlarge:
If the VIN has been removed and painted over, the VIN panel may look smooth after grinding and painting. 46)
It's pretty easy to coarse grind and then polish up a flat metal panel.
Sometimes previous owner's / builders could have bondo'd and painted over the VIN and it still be there under all the crap.
You can chemically strip the paint on the sides of the neck to keep from harming the metal and reveal previous metal work there.
Look for sanding or machining marks where the numbers should be.
The VIN is factory stamped in the neck.
On 1994-1995 models, a VIN sticker is placed on the steering head.
On 1996 models, a VIN sticker is placed on the right downtube.
The VIN is factory stamped in the steering head with a VIN sticker on the downtube.