Harley VIN Info

[Jack Klarich]

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	MC = FLRT

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	JT = FLSTFBS

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

Street Models:

NA = XG500

NB = XG750

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
A = 500cc Liquid Cooled Revolution X	B = 749cc Liquid Cooled Revolution X

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, 2017	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)

[YYCBOB]

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	MC = FLRT

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	JT = FLSTFBS

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

Street Models:

NA = XG500

NB = XG750

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
A = 500cc Liquid Cooled Revolution X	B = 749cc Liquid Cooled Revolution X

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, 2017	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)

Hi Jack:

is there an update to this? My 2018 is 5HD1MC CA8 (?) JB 123456.

i am not sure about the CA ( engine?) and 8 ( introduction?)

thanks

[Jack Klarich]

Hi Jack:

is there an update to this? My 2018 is 5HD1MC CA8 (?) JB 123456.

i am not sure about the CA ( engine?) and 8 ( introduction?)

thanks

Try Here

https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson....cle/lookupForm

[rhino 2]

Try Here

https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson....cle/lookupForm

It says to pick a language......English not there.....

[nucseal]

It says to pick a language......English not there.....

Column 1 third one down says: ENGLISH

[Jack Klarich]

Hi Jack:

is there an update to this? My 2018 is 5HD1MC CA8 (?) JB 123456.

i am not sure about the CA ( engine?) and 8 ( introduction?)

thanks

Look in your owners manual Also for a break down of your VIN

I believe the 8 in your vin is the engine size, the 5HD seems to say made for outside US market

[YYCBOB]

Look in your owners manual Also for a break down of your VIN

I believe the 8 in your vin is the engine size, the 5HD seems to say made for outside US market

Thanks Jack. You are right; the correct break down is in the owners manual.