How to Identify Harley VIN Numbers
Never, never accept a Harley without a legal title.

Take precautions when investigating the authenticity of the Harley VIN and registration.
Filing out VIN numbers and restamping does occur and is illegal.
You could be accused of having done it.
So take a good look.

Locating the Harley VIN

Prior to 1961
On Harley models prior to 1961, the engine number acts as the VIN.
This number can be found on the left side engine case.
Harley models produced prior to 1969 do not carry any frame number.
VIN Numbering Conventions:

• First two numbers are the model year.
• Letters (up to four) are the model designation.
• The last numbers are the production run number.

1962 - 1969
VIN Numbering Conventions:

• First two numbers are the model year.
• Letters (2-4) are the model designation.
• The last numbers are the production run number.

In addition, models with 4 digit production numbers have an even-numbered first digit for even years, odd for odd years.
Models containing a 5 digit production number will have the first two digits even for even years, odd for odd years.
Why is this important?
If the VIN does not follow this even or odd numbering sequence, you can almost guarantee that the VIN has been altered.
It is extremely common to find mismatched engines in these early bikes with different VIN numbers than the title paperwork.

1970 - 1980:
Beginning in 1970, Harley started stamping VIN numbers on both the frame and engine case. 

The exception is the 1979 model which is discussed below.

• First two numbers are the model code.
• Next 5 digits, position 3-7 is the production run number.
• The last 2 digits designate the year.

The only legal VIN number for Harley's produced after 1970 is on the frame.
NO EXCEPTION!
It doesn't matter if the engine case number matches your registration papers, if the frame VIN doesn't match the registration you have a problem!
You might be able to fool a few cops or even someone at the DMV, but don't count on it.
In addition, it should go without saying that any alteration to the VIN is illegal.
This goes for restamping frames or adding the original VIN to a replacement frame.
If you replace the frame, you need to have a new VIN assigned to your Harley.

Remember that on models built after 1970, the Harley VIN always follows the frame... not the engine!

The 1979 Exception
During the 1979 model run, some Harley's were produced with engine numbers that did not match the frame number.
The production date is reported to be from 1/9/79 - 2/7/79, and the frame VIN's affected are 43000H9 through 48199H9.
These models had engines numbered with a separate "crankcase number" instead of the frame's VIN.
This engine number is reported to be a ten digit numeric ID.
Rumor has it that Harley went back to the old numbering sequence once the legal ramifications were realized.
Regardless of the engine case number, the title must always match the frame VIN.

1981 -2000:
Beginning in 1981, Harley started using a 17 digit VIN number on the frame and an abbreviated VIN on the engine case.
As always, the legal title must match the VIN number on the frame.
If the title and frame VIN reads 1HD1ELK12BZ123456, the engine case number should read something like ELKB123456.
VIN number rules described under the 1970 - 1980 Harley models also apply here.

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Harley VIN Model Year Designations

Prior to 1970 the model year appeared in the last 2 digits of the Harley VIN. From 1970 to 1980 Harley used an alphanumeric year code.
The code "H" is followed by the last number of the year (i.e. 1971= H1, 1972= H2). The exception is 1980 which was J0.

1981 to 2000 model big twins
Single letter in the 10th digit designates the model year.

1981 - B	1986 - G	1991 - M	1996 - T
1982 - C	1987 - H	1992 - N	1997 - V
1983 - D	1988 - J	1993 - P	1998 - W
1984 - E	1989 - K	1994 - R	1999 - X
1985 - F	1990 - L	1995 - S	2000 - Y

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Harley VIN Model Codes
Big Twins

The first 2 digits of the Harley big twin's VIN digits are the model code.

1A = FL/FLP 1200	2F = FXS 1200	5H = FLHS - 80	7H = FLH 1200 Police
1H = FXB - 80	2H = CLE - 80	6E = FXEF - 80	8H = FLH 1200 Shrine
1K = FLH - 80 shrine	3G = FLH - 80	6G = FXE - 80	9D = FXE 1200
2A = FLH 1200	3H = FLH - 80 Classic	6H = FL - 80	9G = FXWG - 80
2C = FX 1200	5E = FXEF 1200	7G = FXS - 80	9H = FLH - 80 Police

1980 5 Speed Big Twin
Harley 1980 5 Speed's used code 5G

1981 thru 1985 4 Speed Big Twin

AA = FLH - 80	AL = FLH - 80	BE = FXWG - 80
AB = 80 police chain	BA = FXE - 80	BF = FXSB - 80
AC = FLH - 80 Shrine chain	BB = FXEF - 80	BH = FXST
AH = FLHP - 80 Police Belt	BC = FXS - 80	BG = FXDG - 80
AK = FLHS - 80	BD = FXB - 80	BK = FXSTC

Example: 1HD1BEK11BY123456 is a FXWG

1981 5 Speed Harley Big Twin

The 5th and 6th digits designate the model code.

AE= FLT

AF= FLTC

Example: 1HD1AFK11BY123456 is a FLTC

1982 thru 2002  5 Speed Big Twins
The 5th and 6th digits designate the model code.

BH = FXST	DJ = FLHTC	FE = FLTCU-I
BJ = FLSTC	DK = FLTC Shrine	FF = FLHTC-I
BK = FXSTC	DM = FLTCU	FG = FLHTCU-I W/SC
BL = FXSTS	DP = FLHTCU	FH = FLHP-I Police
BM = FLSTF	EA = FXR	FJ = FLHP Police
BN = FLSTN	EB = FXRS	FL = FLHTCU-I Shrine
BP = FXSTSB	EC = FXRT	FM = FLHTP-I Police
BR = FLSTS	ED = FXRP Police windshield	FP = FLTR
BS = FXSTD	EF = FXRP Police Fairing	FR = FLHRC-I
BT = FXSTB	EG = FXRS-SP	FS = FLTR-I
DA = FLT 82 - 83	EH = FXRD	FT = FLHPE-I (California)
DA = FLHTP Police Windshield	EJ = FXRC	GA = FXDB-D
DB = FLTC	EK = FXRP Police C.H.P.	GB = FXDB-S
DC = FLHT	EL = FXLR	GC = FXDC
DD = FLHT	EM = FXLR Conv	GD = FXDL
DE = FLHTC W/sidecar	FA = FLHS	GE = FXDWG
DF = FLHTP Police Fairing	FB = FLHR-I	GG = FXDS Conv
DG = FLHTC Shrine	FC = FLHTCU-I	GH = FXD
DH = FLTC W/sidecar	FD = FLHR	SG = TLE Police
		SH = RLE Police

Example: 1HD1BHK11GY123456 is a FXST

 

Sportster VIN Numbers

1970 thru 1980 Sportsters

First two digits of the Harley VIN are the model code.

3A = XL or XLH	4A = XLCH	4E =- XLS
2G = XLT	4D = XLA	7F = XLCR

Example: 4A12345H1 is a XLCH

1981 to 1985 Sportsters

5th and 6th digits are the model code.

CA = XLH

CB = XLS

CC = XLX

CD = XR1000

Example: 1HD1CDHY15B123456 is a XR1000

1986 to 1996 Sportsters

5th, 6th and 7th digits are the model code.

Harley Model Number Designations
 Feel free to contact us if you see any that are listed in error.

FL 4-Speed Dresser
FLH 4-Speed Electra Glide
FLHR Road King
FLHRCI Road King Classic
FLHS Electra Glide Sport
FLHT Electra Glide Standard
FLHTC Electra Glide Classic
FLHTCUI Electra Glide Ultra Classic
FLHX Street Glide
FLST Heritage Softail
FLSTC Heritage Softail Classic
FLSTF Fat Boy
FLSTN Nostalgia
FLSTN/I Softail Deluxe
FLSTS Heritage Springer Softail
FLT Rubber Mount Dresser
FLTC Rubber Mount Dresser Classic
FLTCU Rubber Mount Dresser Classic Ultra
FLTR Road Glide
FLTRI Road Glide w/ Genuine Access
FLTRSEI Screamin Eagle Road Glide

FX Superglide, Kickstart
FXB Sturgis Belt
FXD Dyna Super Glide
FXDB Dyna Street Bob
FXDG Dyna Glide/Sturgis
FXDL Dyna Low Rider
FXDS-CON Dyna Convertible
FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide
FXDX Dyna Super Glide Sport
FXDXT Super Glide "T" Sport
FXE Superglide Electric Start
FXEF Fatbob
FXLR FX Lower Rider/Evolution
FXR Rubber Mount Super Glide
FXRS FXR Sport
FXRS-CON FXR Sport Convertible
FXRS-SP Low Rider Sport Edition
FXRT FXR Touring
FXS Low Rider/Shovelhead
FXSB Lowrider Belt
FXST Softail
FXSTB Night Train
FXSTC Softail Custom
FXSTD Softail Deuce
FXSTS Springer Softail
FXWG Wide Glide
FXC Rocker
FXCW Rocker (w/ 2-up optional seating)

XL 4-Speed Sportster
XL883 Sportster Hugger
XL883C Sportster 883 Custom
XL883L Sportster Low
XL1100 Sportster 1100
XL1200 Sportster 1200
XL1200C Sportster 1200 Custom
XL1200S Sportster 1200 Sport
XL1200N Sportster Nightster
XLCH 4-Speed Sportster, Kickstart
XLH 4-Speed Sportster, Electric Start
XLH883 883 Hugger
XLH1200 1200
XLH1200S Sport
XLS 4-Speed Sportster Roadster
XLX 4-Speed 1000cc Ironhead
XR1000 XLH with XLR Heads

VRSCA V-Rod
VRSCB V-Rod (Blackout version)
VRSCAW V-Rod (2007-later)
VRSCD V-Rod Night Rod
VRSCDX V-Rod Night Rod Special
VRSCX V-Rod (SE drag version)
VRSCR V-Rod Street Rod