J
Jack Klarich
Guest
Harley-Davidson VIN Number Explained
In this article of Tech Tips we’ll breakdown the progression of VIN numbers used by Harley-Davidson and explain what they all mean.
Prior to 1930:
Prior to 1930 H-D VIN numbers were a bit erratic and model number designations changed frequently. Unfortunately there is very little information out there for these numbers and what information is available is not always very accurate.
From 1930 to 1962 the VIN number was the engine number and was only located on the left case. The VIN was between 8 and 10 digits with the first 2 digits being the production year, the next 2 – 4 letters being the model designation and the last 4 digits being the production number
Example:
Year Model Production Number
49 FL 0001
1962-1969:
From 1962 to 1969 the VIN numbers where pretty much the same as from 1930 to 1962, but if the production number had 4 digits the first digit would be odd during odd production years and even during even production years. If the production number had 5 digits the first two digits would be odd during odd production years and even during even production years.
Example:
Year Model Production Number
66 FLHB 22001
1970-1980:
From 1970 to 1980 the VIN number could be found on both the frame and the engine and would match exactly with the exception of a few months in 1979 which was due to an idea by the factory to make them different. The idea was quickly killed after law enforcement notified Harley-Davidson that it made the bikes look stolen. The production date range was from 1/9/1979 to 2/7/1979. The VIN numbers affected are 43000H9 through 48199H9. The engine numbers where 10 digit numerical IDs.
The VIN numbers of this era where 9 digit codes where the first two digits corresponded to the model code (see list below), the next 5 digits were the production numbers (always starting above 10,000) and the last 2 digits were the year code (see list below).
Example:
Model Production Number Year
2A 10859 H4
Model Codes:
1A = FL/FLP-1200 3D = Z-90 2G = XLT-1000
2A = FLH -1200 4D = XLA 3G = FLH-80
3A = XL - XLH-1000 5D = SX-175 5G = FLT-80
4A = XLCH-1000 6D = SX-250 6G = FXE-80
5A = GE-750 7D = MX-250 7G = FXS-80
6A = SS-350 Sprint 9D = FXE - 1200 9G = FXWG-80
7A = SX-125 4E = XLS-1000 1H = FXB-80
8A = M65-S 5E = FXEF-1200 2H = CLE-80 Sidecar
7B = ERS 6E = FXEF-80 3H = FLH-80 Classic
8B = MSR-100 7E = FLHS-1200 5H = FLHS-80
2C = FX -1200 9E = SS-250 6H = FL-80
3C = SX-350 Sprint 2F = FXS - 1200 7H = FLH-1200 Police
5C = MC-65 3F = SXT-125 8H = FLH-1200 Shrine
6C = SR-100 4F = SS-175 9H = FLH-80 Police
1D = LE Sidecar 6F = SS-125 1K = FLH-80 Shrine
2D = X-90 7F = XLCR-1000
Year Codes:
H0 = 1970 H3 = 1973 H6 = 1976 H9 = 1979
H1 = 1971 H4 = 1974 H7 = 1977 J0 = 1980
H2 = 1972 H5 = 1975 H8 = 1978
1981- Present:
From 1981 to present the VIN has been a 17 digit code located on the frame and abbreviated on the engine. In this VIN the first 3 digits are the world manufacturer ID (see list below), the fourth digit is the weight class (see weight class list below). The next two letters are the model designation (see list below), the sixth digit was the engine type (see list below), the seventh digit was the introduction period (see list below), The eighth digit was the VIN check digit which could be 0-9 or X, the next letter was the model year (see list below), the letter after that was the assembly plant (see list below) and the last 6 numbers were the production numbers.
Example:
World Mfg. Class Model Engine Intro Check Year Plant Production Number
1HD 1 AA K 1 9 B Y 158126
World Manufacturer ID:
1HD = Manufactured for sale within the United States
5HD = Manufactured for sale outside of the United States
932 = Manufactured in and for sale only in Brazil
MEG = Manufactured in and for sale only in India
Weight Class:
1 = Heavyweight (≥ 901 cc)
4 = Lightweight (≤ 900 cc)
8 = Sidecar
Model Designation:
FL Touring Models:
AA = FLH DJ = FLHTC FR = FLHRCI, FLHRC
AB = FLHP DK = FLTC Shrine FS = FLTRI
AC = FLH DM = FLTCU - Ultra FT = FLHPEI
AD = FLH - Classic DN = FLTCU - Ultra FW = FLHR Shrine
AE = FLT DP = FLHTC KA = FLHX
AF = FLTC DS = FLTCU - Ultra Shrine KB = FLHX
AH = FLHP - Deluxe DT = FLHTCU - Ultra Shrine KE = FLHTK
AJ = FLH - Heritage FA = FLHRS, FLHS KG = FLTRU
AK = FLHS FB = FLHRI, FLHR KH = FLTRX
AL = FLH - Shrine FC = FLHTCUI, FLHTCU KX = SIDECAR TLE ULTRA
DA = FLT, FLHTP FD = FLHR MA = FLHTCUTG - Trike
DB = FLTC FE = FLTCUI MB = Trike
DC = FLHT FF = FLHTCI, FLHTC PF = FLSTDSE
DD = FLHT FG = FLHTCUI PG = FLHRSEI2
DE = FLHTC FH = FLHPI PR = FLHTCUSE7 - CVO
DF = FLHTP FL = FLHTCUI, FLHTCU PY = FLSTSE3 - CVO
DG = FLHTC Shrine FM = FLHTPI PZ = FLHXSE - CVO
DH = FLTC FP = FLTR
FX/FL Dyna Glide Models:
BA = FXE EK = FXRP - C.H.P. GM = FXDI
BB = FXEF, FXSTDI EL = FXLR GN = FXDL
BC = FXS EM = FXRS – CON GP = FXDWG
BD = FXB ES = FXR GR = FXDXI
BE = FXWG ET = FXR GT = FXDC
BF = FXSB EV = FXR GV = FXDC
BG = FXDG GA = FXDB-D Daytona GX = TL
EA = FXR GB = FXDB-S Sturgis GY = FXDF
EB = FXRS GC = FXDC GZ = FLD
EC = FXRT GD = FXDL PB = FXDWG
ED = FXRP - Windshield GE = FXDWG PE = FXDWG3
EE = FXRDG GG = FXDS-CON PS = FXDSE
EF = FXRP - Fairing GH = FXD PX = FSDFSE
EG = FXRS-SP Sport Edition GJ = FXDX VA = FXDBP
EH = FXRD GK = FXDP
EJ = FXRC GL = FXDXT
FL/FX Softail Models:
BH = FXST BX = FLSTF JL = FXSTC
BJ = FLST, FLSTC BY = FLSTC JM = FLSTSB
BK = FXSTC BZ = FXSTSI JN = FLSTFB
BL = FXSTS JA = FXSTB JP = FXS
BM = FLSTF JB = FXSTDI JR = FLS
BN = FLSTN JD = FLSTN PF = FXSTDSE
BP = FXSTSB JE = FLST PH = FXSTDSE
BR = FLSTS JF = FLSTI PL = FLSTFSE
BS = FXSTD JG = FLSTF PN = FLSTFSE
BT = FXSTB JH = FLSTC PT = FXSTSSE
BV = FXST JJ = FXCW PY = FLSTSE
BW = FLSTC JK = FXCWC
XL Sportster Models:
CA = XLH CN = XL883 CZ = XL1200N
CB = XLS CM = XL883L LA = XR1200
CC = XLX CP = XL883C LC = XL1200X
CD = XR-1000 CR = XL883L LD = XR1200X
CE = XL 883H CS = XL883R LE = XL883N
CF = XL 883 Deluxe CT = XL1200C LF = XL1200V
CG = XL 1200C CV = XL1200R LH = XL1200CP
CH = XL 1200S CW = XL1200L LJ = XL1200CA
CJ = XL 883C CX = XL1200L LK = XL1200CB
CK = XL 883R CY = XL50
V-ROD Models:
HA = VRSCA HF = VRSCA HP = VRSCF
HC = VRSCR HH = VRSCDX
HD = VRSCD HJ = VRSCX
Engine Displacement:
A = 1130 Revolution (100 CV) R = 1340 Evolution Fuel Injected
B = 1450 Fuel Injected Counter Balanced S = 500 Single (Armstrong Military)
C = 1550 V = Twin Cam 88 Carburetor, 130B
D = 1550 EFI W = Twin Cam 88 Fuel Injected
E = 1690 EFI Y = Twin Cam 88 Counter Balanced - Carb
F = 1690 Balanced-EFI Z = 1130 Revolution
G = 1246 Revolution EFI 1 = 1450 EFI
H = 1246 (2001-2009), 1000 Ironhead XL 2 = 883 ESPFI
J = 1246 3 = 1200 ESPFI
K = 1340 Shovelhead 4 = 1584 ESPFI
L = 1340 Evolution 5 = 1584 ESPFI, Twin Cam 96B
M = 883 Evolution XL, Twin Cam 103 6 = 1200
N = 1100 Evolution XL 8 = 1800 ESPFI
P = 1200 Evolution XL 9 = 1800 ESPFI H 1250 ESPFI
Introduction Period:
Normal Introduction Mid-Year or Special Introduction
1 = Domestic (Normal) 2, 4 = Domestic (Mid-Year)
3 = California (Normal) 5, 6 = California (Mid-Year)
A = Canada (Normal) B = Canada (Mid-Year)
C = International (Normal) D = International (Mid-Year)
E = Japan (Normal) F = Japan (Mid-Year)
G = Australia (Normal) H = Australia (Mid-Year)
J = Brazil (Normal) K = Brazil (Mid-Year)
L = Asia Pacific (Normal) M = Asia Pacific (Mid-Year)
N = India (Normal) P = India (Mid-Year)
Model Year:
A = 2010 J = 1988 T = 1996 4 = 2004
B = 1981, 2011 K = 1989 V = 1997 5 = 2005
C = 1982, 2012 L = 1990 W = 1998 6 = 2006
D = 1983, 2013 M = 1991 X = 1999 7 = 2007
E = 1984, 2014 N = 1992 Y = 2000 8 = 2008
F = 1985, 2015 P = 1993 1 = 2001 9 = 2009
G = 1986, 2016 R = 1994 2 = 2002
H = 1987 S = 1995 3 = 2003
Manufacturing Plant:
Y, B = York, PA
T = Tomahawk, WI
J = Milwaukee, WI
K = Kansas City, KS
D = Manaus, Brazil
E = Buell East Troy
N = Haryana, India (Bawal District Rewari)
In this article of Tech Tips we’ll breakdown the progression of VIN numbers used by Harley-Davidson and explain what they all mean.
Prior to 1930:
Prior to 1930 H-D VIN numbers were a bit erratic and model number designations changed frequently. Unfortunately there is very little information out there for these numbers and what information is available is not always very accurate.
From 1930 to 1962 the VIN number was the engine number and was only located on the left case. The VIN was between 8 and 10 digits with the first 2 digits being the production year, the next 2 – 4 letters being the model designation and the last 4 digits being the production number
Example:
Year Model Production Number
49 FL 0001
1962-1969:
From 1962 to 1969 the VIN numbers where pretty much the same as from 1930 to 1962, but if the production number had 4 digits the first digit would be odd during odd production years and even during even production years. If the production number had 5 digits the first two digits would be odd during odd production years and even during even production years.
Example:
Year Model Production Number
66 FLHB 22001
1970-1980:
From 1970 to 1980 the VIN number could be found on both the frame and the engine and would match exactly with the exception of a few months in 1979 which was due to an idea by the factory to make them different. The idea was quickly killed after law enforcement notified Harley-Davidson that it made the bikes look stolen. The production date range was from 1/9/1979 to 2/7/1979. The VIN numbers affected are 43000H9 through 48199H9. The engine numbers where 10 digit numerical IDs.
The VIN numbers of this era where 9 digit codes where the first two digits corresponded to the model code (see list below), the next 5 digits were the production numbers (always starting above 10,000) and the last 2 digits were the year code (see list below).
Example:
Model Production Number Year
2A 10859 H4
Model Codes:
1A = FL/FLP-1200 3D = Z-90 2G = XLT-1000
2A = FLH -1200 4D = XLA 3G = FLH-80
3A = XL - XLH-1000 5D = SX-175 5G = FLT-80
4A = XLCH-1000 6D = SX-250 6G = FXE-80
5A = GE-750 7D = MX-250 7G = FXS-80
6A = SS-350 Sprint 9D = FXE - 1200 9G = FXWG-80
7A = SX-125 4E = XLS-1000 1H = FXB-80
8A = M65-S 5E = FXEF-1200 2H = CLE-80 Sidecar
7B = ERS 6E = FXEF-80 3H = FLH-80 Classic
8B = MSR-100 7E = FLHS-1200 5H = FLHS-80
2C = FX -1200 9E = SS-250 6H = FL-80
3C = SX-350 Sprint 2F = FXS - 1200 7H = FLH-1200 Police
5C = MC-65 3F = SXT-125 8H = FLH-1200 Shrine
6C = SR-100 4F = SS-175 9H = FLH-80 Police
1D = LE Sidecar 6F = SS-125 1K = FLH-80 Shrine
2D = X-90 7F = XLCR-1000
Year Codes:
H0 = 1970 H3 = 1973 H6 = 1976 H9 = 1979
H1 = 1971 H4 = 1974 H7 = 1977 J0 = 1980
H2 = 1972 H5 = 1975 H8 = 1978
1981- Present:
From 1981 to present the VIN has been a 17 digit code located on the frame and abbreviated on the engine. In this VIN the first 3 digits are the world manufacturer ID (see list below), the fourth digit is the weight class (see weight class list below). The next two letters are the model designation (see list below), the sixth digit was the engine type (see list below), the seventh digit was the introduction period (see list below), The eighth digit was the VIN check digit which could be 0-9 or X, the next letter was the model year (see list below), the letter after that was the assembly plant (see list below) and the last 6 numbers were the production numbers.
Example:
World Mfg. Class Model Engine Intro Check Year Plant Production Number
1HD 1 AA K 1 9 B Y 158126
World Manufacturer ID:
1HD = Manufactured for sale within the United States
5HD = Manufactured for sale outside of the United States
932 = Manufactured in and for sale only in Brazil
MEG = Manufactured in and for sale only in India
Weight Class:
1 = Heavyweight (≥ 901 cc)
4 = Lightweight (≤ 900 cc)
8 = Sidecar
Model Designation:
FL Touring Models:
AA = FLH DJ = FLHTC FR = FLHRCI, FLHRC
AB = FLHP DK = FLTC Shrine FS = FLTRI
AC = FLH DM = FLTCU - Ultra FT = FLHPEI
AD = FLH - Classic DN = FLTCU - Ultra FW = FLHR Shrine
AE = FLT DP = FLHTC KA = FLHX
AF = FLTC DS = FLTCU - Ultra Shrine KB = FLHX
AH = FLHP - Deluxe DT = FLHTCU - Ultra Shrine KE = FLHTK
AJ = FLH - Heritage FA = FLHRS, FLHS KG = FLTRU
AK = FLHS FB = FLHRI, FLHR KH = FLTRX
AL = FLH - Shrine FC = FLHTCUI, FLHTCU KX = SIDECAR TLE ULTRA
DA = FLT, FLHTP FD = FLHR MA = FLHTCUTG - Trike
DB = FLTC FE = FLTCUI MB = Trike
DC = FLHT FF = FLHTCI, FLHTC PF = FLSTDSE
DD = FLHT FG = FLHTCUI PG = FLHRSEI2
DE = FLHTC FH = FLHPI PR = FLHTCUSE7 - CVO
DF = FLHTP FL = FLHTCUI, FLHTCU PY = FLSTSE3 - CVO
DG = FLHTC Shrine FM = FLHTPI PZ = FLHXSE - CVO
DH = FLTC FP = FLTR
FX/FL Dyna Glide Models:
BA = FXE EK = FXRP - C.H.P. GM = FXDI
BB = FXEF, FXSTDI EL = FXLR GN = FXDL
BC = FXS EM = FXRS – CON GP = FXDWG
BD = FXB ES = FXR GR = FXDXI
BE = FXWG ET = FXR GT = FXDC
BF = FXSB EV = FXR GV = FXDC
BG = FXDG GA = FXDB-D Daytona GX = TL
EA = FXR GB = FXDB-S Sturgis GY = FXDF
EB = FXRS GC = FXDC GZ = FLD
EC = FXRT GD = FXDL PB = FXDWG
ED = FXRP - Windshield GE = FXDWG PE = FXDWG3
EE = FXRDG GG = FXDS-CON PS = FXDSE
EF = FXRP - Fairing GH = FXD PX = FSDFSE
EG = FXRS-SP Sport Edition GJ = FXDX VA = FXDBP
EH = FXRD GK = FXDP
EJ = FXRC GL = FXDXT
FL/FX Softail Models:
BH = FXST BX = FLSTF JL = FXSTC
BJ = FLST, FLSTC BY = FLSTC JM = FLSTSB
BK = FXSTC BZ = FXSTSI JN = FLSTFB
BL = FXSTS JA = FXSTB JP = FXS
BM = FLSTF JB = FXSTDI JR = FLS
BN = FLSTN JD = FLSTN PF = FXSTDSE
BP = FXSTSB JE = FLST PH = FXSTDSE
BR = FLSTS JF = FLSTI PL = FLSTFSE
BS = FXSTD JG = FLSTF PN = FLSTFSE
BT = FXSTB JH = FLSTC PT = FXSTSSE
BV = FXST JJ = FXCW PY = FLSTSE
BW = FLSTC JK = FXCWC
XL Sportster Models:
CA = XLH CN = XL883 CZ = XL1200N
CB = XLS CM = XL883L LA = XR1200
CC = XLX CP = XL883C LC = XL1200X
CD = XR-1000 CR = XL883L LD = XR1200X
CE = XL 883H CS = XL883R LE = XL883N
CF = XL 883 Deluxe CT = XL1200C LF = XL1200V
CG = XL 1200C CV = XL1200R LH = XL1200CP
CH = XL 1200S CW = XL1200L LJ = XL1200CA
CJ = XL 883C CX = XL1200L LK = XL1200CB
CK = XL 883R CY = XL50
V-ROD Models:
HA = VRSCA HF = VRSCA HP = VRSCF
HC = VRSCR HH = VRSCDX
HD = VRSCD HJ = VRSCX
Engine Displacement:
A = 1130 Revolution (100 CV) R = 1340 Evolution Fuel Injected
B = 1450 Fuel Injected Counter Balanced S = 500 Single (Armstrong Military)
C = 1550 V = Twin Cam 88 Carburetor, 130B
D = 1550 EFI W = Twin Cam 88 Fuel Injected
E = 1690 EFI Y = Twin Cam 88 Counter Balanced - Carb
F = 1690 Balanced-EFI Z = 1130 Revolution
G = 1246 Revolution EFI 1 = 1450 EFI
H = 1246 (2001-2009), 1000 Ironhead XL 2 = 883 ESPFI
J = 1246 3 = 1200 ESPFI
K = 1340 Shovelhead 4 = 1584 ESPFI
L = 1340 Evolution 5 = 1584 ESPFI, Twin Cam 96B
M = 883 Evolution XL, Twin Cam 103 6 = 1200
N = 1100 Evolution XL 8 = 1800 ESPFI
P = 1200 Evolution XL 9 = 1800 ESPFI H 1250 ESPFI
Introduction Period:
Normal Introduction Mid-Year or Special Introduction
1 = Domestic (Normal) 2, 4 = Domestic (Mid-Year)
3 = California (Normal) 5, 6 = California (Mid-Year)
A = Canada (Normal) B = Canada (Mid-Year)
C = International (Normal) D = International (Mid-Year)
E = Japan (Normal) F = Japan (Mid-Year)
G = Australia (Normal) H = Australia (Mid-Year)
J = Brazil (Normal) K = Brazil (Mid-Year)
L = Asia Pacific (Normal) M = Asia Pacific (Mid-Year)
N = India (Normal) P = India (Mid-Year)
Model Year:
A = 2010 J = 1988 T = 1996 4 = 2004
B = 1981, 2011 K = 1989 V = 1997 5 = 2005
C = 1982, 2012 L = 1990 W = 1998 6 = 2006
D = 1983, 2013 M = 1991 X = 1999 7 = 2007
E = 1984, 2014 N = 1992 Y = 2000 8 = 2008
F = 1985, 2015 P = 1993 1 = 2001 9 = 2009
G = 1986, 2016 R = 1994 2 = 2002
H = 1987 S = 1995 3 = 2003
Manufacturing Plant:
Y, B = York, PA
T = Tomahawk, WI
J = Milwaukee, WI
K = Kansas City, KS
D = Manaus, Brazil
E = Buell East Troy
N = Haryana, India (Bawal District Rewari)
