Classic and Classy Motorcycles Ltd

Harley-Davidson VIN Information 1930 to 1980

1930 to 1962:
VINs were synonymous with engine numbers, located only on the left case.
VINs had 8 to 10 digits: the first 2 digits were the production year, followed by 2 to 4 letters for the model designation, and the last 4 digits represented the production number.
  Example:
    Year: 49
    Model: FL
    Production Number: 0001

1962 to 1969:
VINs continued as from 1930 to 1962, with a pattern tweak:
  For 4-digit production numbers, the first digit alternated between odd and even to match the production year's parity.
  For 5-digit numbers, the first two digits followed the same odd/even rule.
  Example:
    Year: 66
    Model: FLHB
    Production Number: 22001

1970 to 1980:
VINs appeared on both the frame and the engine and matched exactly, except for a brief period in 1979 (1/9/1979 to 2/7/1979) when factory changes made VINs differ, which was reverted after law enforcement concerns.
VINs were 9 digits: first two were the model code, the next five were the production number (starting above 10,000), and the last two were the year code.
  Example:
    Model: 2A
    Production Number: 10859
    Year Code: H4

Year Codes (1970-1980):
- H0 = 1970
- H1 = 1971
- H2 = 1972
- H3 = 1973
- H4 = 1974
- H5 = 1975
- H6 = 1976
- H7 = 1977
- H8 = 1978
- H9 = 1979
- J0 = 1980

Model Codes (1970-1980):
- 1A = FL/FLP-1200
- 2A = FLH - 1200
- 3A = XL - XLH-1000
- 4A = XLCH-1000
- 5A = GE-750
- 6A = SS-350 Sprint
- 7A = SX-125
- 8A = M65-S
- 7B = ERS
- 8B = MSR-100
- 2C = FX -1200
- 3C = SX-350 Sprint
- 5C = MC-65
- 6C = SR-100
- 1D = LE Sidecar
- 2D = X-90
- 3D = Z-90
- 4D = XLA
- 5D = SX-175
- 6D = SX-250
- 7D = MX-250
- 9D = FXE - 1200
- 2E = XLS-1000
- 3E = SXT-125
- 4E = SS-175
- 5E = FXEF-1200
- 6E = FXEF-80
- 7E = FLHS-1200
- 8E = FLHS-1200 Shrine
- 9E = SS-250
- 2F = FXS - 1200
- 3F = SXT-125
- 4F = SS-175
- 6F = SS-125
- 7F = XLCR-1000
- 2G = XLT-1000
- 3G = FLH-80
- 5G = FLT-80
- 6G = FXE-80
- 7G = FXS-80
- 9G = FXWG-80
- 1H = FXB-80
- 2H = CLE-80 Sidecar
- 3H = FLH-80 Classic
- 5H = FLHS-80
- 6H = FL-80
- 7H = FLH-1200 Police
- 8H = FLH-1200 Shrine
- 9H = FLH-80 Police
- 1K = FLH-80 Shrine

Aermacchi / Harley Davidson https://motoitalia.parts/year-model-identification.

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Flathead (1930-1948)
Included models like the U and UL big twin flatheads and the smaller WL series.

Knucklehead (1936-1947)
Introduced the overhead valve big twin, known for the distinctive shape of its rocker covers.

Panhead (1948-1965)
Replaced the Knucklehead and featured improved aluminum heads and hydraulic lifters.

Shovelhead (1966-1984)
Known for its shovel-shaped rocker covers, it continued in some models until 1984.

Ironhead Sportster (1957-1985)

This line started in 1957 and is known for its iron cylinder heads.

Hydra Glide - Introduced in 1949, this model featured hydraulic front forks, replacing the springer front ends of earlier models.

Duo Glide - Introduced in 1958, this Harley-Davidson added rear suspension to the Hydra-Glide's front suspension, marking significant progress in rider comfort.

Electra Glide - Starting in 1965, this model introduced an electric starter, which was a major innovation at the time, and it continued to evolve into one of Harley's most famous models.

Servi Car - A three-wheeled utility motorcycle produced from 1932 to 1973, used primarily by police departments and other service industries.

Stroker - This term refers to engines that have been modified for increased displacement and power through changes to the crankshaft.