Harley VIN

Hi, I'm Bob LaRosa, welcome to "Fix My Hog". Let's take a look at deciphering the VIN or vehicle identification number. Most motorcycles built in recent history have a VIN stamped into the neck and also have the same matching VIN on a decal or a sticker on the downtube of the frame. The stamped VIN can be easily deciphered by using the correct service manual. This VIN reads as follows, 1HD1, the next two letters designate the model. This model is BM, which tells us it is FLSTF, which is a factory Fat Boy. If that designation was BH, we would be looking at an FXST, which would be a factory Wide Glide frame. Differences are probably minor between the Softails, but when it comes to the dressers, it's very important to be able to decipher and know what particular model VIN number and frame you're looking at. Again, if you purchase a vehicle out of state, in certain states, you have to go for a VIN verification, which means this number and the number on your title had better match. Otherwise, something's not right. Chances are the motorcycle might get impounded until they get all the paperwork straightened out. So, when you go to purchase a motorcycle, it's very important that the paperwork and the vehicle identification number match each other. Next in line, after the two letter designations, which tell us the model, you're gonna see that there is another letter that's gonna tell us what engine. The Y dictates that it is a Twin Cam 88B, which is balanced, carbureted. If that was a B instead of a Y, it would be a Twin Cam, balanced, fuel injected. Does it make much difference? I'm not really sure, but I can guarantee that number has to be in correct condition and correctly match all your paperwork for registration to be valid. Never purchase a motorcycle where this VIN area has been altered and never alter it yourself. I've had people where they actually molded the frame to make a nice custom, smooth appearance, and covered up this VIN or the vehicle identification number. They happened to get pulled over or happened to sell the motorcycle and it needs to be inspected, and they chipped away all the custom body work and all the custom paint to access and expose that number. So, always keep that number intact and exposed. Next in line, according to the printout from the service manual, there's a number that will vary between one and eight. That is an internal factory code number. Then there will be in the VIN itself. The next digit will vary between zero and nine, or an X. Again, those are internal factory assemble codes, whether it's a particular area of the plant or a particular cutoff date for assembly. After those, there's gonna be a number. In this case, it'll be the number one. That dictates that this motorcycle frame is a 2001. If it was a two, it would be 2002, three, 2003, and so on and so forth. The next will be a letter, the Y, dictates the assembly plant. It will be a Y for York, Pennsylvania or a K for Kansas City, Missouri. This motorcycle happens to be built York, Pennsylvania. After the letter designation for the correct build assembly plant, there is six numbers that run sequentially. That is the sequential build number. This motorcycle is 024825 out of whatever sequential run they had in 2001 for Fat Boys. VIN numbers, vehicle identification numbers, are critical, whether it's an automobile, a snowmobile, a motorcycle or a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The VIN itself is the determining factor for the vehicle's legality, how registrable the vehicle is, and where the motorcycle was built and how it was built, what model, what year. Never alter, never deface the VIN area on your frame.