Harley Davidson VIN Numbers
Ever wonder what all of those numbers on a Harley Davidson VIN number mean? Let us help you decipher a VIN number.
VIN Number location: Driver’s right side steering head.
Early H-D VIN number backround check I am considering purchase of a early model H-D 1937 and have been checking the different web sites that provide vehicle VIN number checking services, most that i see are setup to check out 1981 and later 17 digit vin's.
Lets go off of an example: 1HD1AAK11BY013478
Starting from the first number and every following number after that.
1HD1AAK11BY013478
Made in USA
1HD1AAK11BY013478
HD= Harley Davidson
1HD1AAK11BY013478
Weight: 1= Heavyweight (901 ccs or larger), 4= Middleweight (351-900cc), 8=sidecar
1HD1AAK11BY013478
Model Designation: AA= FLH 80
Here are all of the model designations:
| FLT Models | Softtail Models | Dyna Models |
| FLHT = DD | FLSTC = BJ | FXDL = GD |
| FLHTC = DJ | FXSTC = BK | FXDWG = GE |
| FLTC-U = DM | FXSTS = BL | FXDS-CON = GG |
| FLHTC-C = DP | FLSTF = BM | FXD = GH |
| FLHR = FD | FLSTN = BN | FXSTSB = BP |
XL Models: CA = XLH883/ XLH 1200 CE= XLH883 hugger CG= XL1200 Custom
1HD1AAK11BY013478
Engine Displacement: K= 1340 Shovelhead
Engine Types:
L = 1340 EVO (carb)
R = 1340 (FI)
M = 883 Evo (XL)
N = 1100 Evo (XL)
P = 1200 Evo (XL)
V = TC88 (Carb)
W = TC88 (FI)
Y = TC88B (carb)
B= TC88B (FI)
1HD1AAK11BY013478 Reinventing comics pdf.
Introduction: 1= Regular introduction
Harley Davidson Vin Model Codes
1= Regular Introduction
2= Mid- year Introduction
3= Calif. Only
4= Special Edition
1HD1AAK11BY013478
Check Digit
1HD1AAK11BY013478
Model Year: B=1981
Years 1980-2000 are alphabetical starting with A (1980) and ending in Y(2000) After the year 2000 this number was changed to be a number. Example 2001 = 1, 2002=2, etc.
1HD1AAK11BY013478
Manufacturing plant: Y=York, PA, K=Kansas, MS
1HD1AAK11BY013478
Sequential Numbers
Do you need to know all of these numbers? No you don't, however it is good to know some of them. For instance the tenth number will always tell you the year if you're going off of a newer Harley Davidson model. So now that you know, if someone isn't sure what year they are looking at just count to ten on the list of VIN numbers and you'll be able to figure it out.