Harley Davidson VIN Numbers - What all those numbers mean...

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.

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:

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

Introduction: 1= Regular introduction

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.