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Need some production date help!

FatBoy03!

FatBoy03!

Member
We're redoing the forks on a friend's 1977 FLH. Everywhere I go to look into parts (for other parts, as well as the fork rebuild kit) I read about the "early" versus "late" 1977 models. Can anyone tell me how to determine if the bike we're working on is an "early" or "late"? I would assume by VIN, and this bike's VIN number is relatively low (well below 15000) that this would be considered an "early" 1977. Good assumption, or not? Thanks for any and all help!
 
Some good information! I've found a number of sites with a similar breakdown of VIN numbers, but I'm still not seeing a definitive method of telling if your '77 is an early or late build.
 
FatBoy03! said:
We're redoing the forks on a friend's 1977 FLH. Everywhere I go to look into parts (for other parts, as well as the fork rebuild kit) I read about the "early" versus "late" 1977 models. Can anyone tell me how to determine if the bike we're working on is an "early" or "late"? I would assume by VIN, and this bike's VIN number is relatively low (well below 15000) that this would be considered an "early" 1977. Good assumption, or not? Thanks for any and all help!
Click to expand...
According to HD records in 1977 8,691 FLH models were produced
 
The last 3 digits of your VIN should tell you what sequence your bike rolled off the assembly line IE 456 would have been that 456th of x amount built that year
 
Crankcase Identification Numbers
Numbers located on both left and right crankcase ha
lves.
Big Twin: Left Case - Outside, Lower Front
Right Case - Inside, Gearcase 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 change
s
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 D
Here is some more info, what I have found typical after the 6th month you usually find a late model at least with cars and trucks, I hope this helps
 
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