engine identification

A photo of the first Harley-Davidson repair shop in Mexico City with crew and author. The picture was taken in 1979.

There are two tables listed here. The first is "Frame ID Numbers - 1981 and Later." This information was originally posted (13 Mar 1996) by Dan Kloch

(kloch@nrcdec.nrc.state.ne.us)

and was then updated (13 Nov 1996) by Cheezie to include 1993-96 bikes. The second table is "Motorcycle ID Numbers 1970-1980." And was added by Dan on 22 Nov 1996. Thanks to those busy guys!

Frame ID Numbers - 1981 and Later

Example: 1HD1AAK11BYO13478

The frame number is broken
down like this:

1 HD 1 AA K 1 1 B Y 013278

1 = Made in U.S.A.
HD = Harley Davidson
1 = Weight Class
     1 = Heavyweight
     4 = Lightweight
     8 = Sidecar
AA = Model Designation
K = Engine Displacement
     K = 1340 Shovelhead
     H = 1000 Ironhead XL
     L = 1340 Evolution
     M = 883 Evolution XL
     N = 1100 Evolution XL
     P = 1200 Evolution XL
1 = Introdution Date
     1 = Regular Introdution
     2 = Mid-Year (January)
     3 = California Special
     4 = Daytona (March)
1 = Check Digit
B = Model Year
     B = 1981     C = 1982
     D = 1983     E = 1984
     F = 1985     G = 1986
     H = 1987     J = 1988
     K = 1989     L = 1990
     M = 1991     N = 1992
     P = 1993     R = 1994
     S = 1995     T = 1996
     U = 1997

Y = Plant of Manufacture (York, PA)
T = Plant of Manufacture (Tomahawk, WI)
J = Plant of Manufacture (Milwaukee, WI)

013278 = Sequential Number

FL/FX Models
AA FLH - 80
AB FLHP - 80 Chain
AC FLH - 80 Shrine Chain
AD FLH - Classic
AG FLH - Classic w/ sidecar
AH FLHP - 80 Belt Deluxe
AJ FLH - 80 Heritage
AK FLHS - 80
AL FLH - 80 Shrine Belt
BA FXE - 80
BB FXEF - 80
BC FXS - 80
BD FXB - 80
BE FXWG - 80
BF FXSB - 80
BG FXDG
BH FXST
BJ FLST/FLSTC
BK FXSTC
BL FXSTS
BM FLSTF
BN FLSTN
BP FXSTSB

FLT/FXR Police Models
DA FLHTP - Windshield 1984 and later
DF FLHTP - Fairing
ED FXRP - Windshield
EF FXRP - Fairing
EK FXRP - C.H.P.

FLT/FXR Models
AE 1981 FLT
AF 1981 FLTC
DA FLT 1982 and 1983 only
DB FLTC
DC FLHT
DD FLHTC
DE FLHTC w/ Sidecar
DG FLHTC Shrine
DH FLTC w/Sidecar
DJ FLHTC 1986 - present
DK FLTC Shrine
DM FLTCU - Ultra
DN FLTCU - Ultra w/Sidecar
DP FLHTCU - Ultra
DR FLHTCU - Ultra w/Sidecar
DS FLTCU - Ultra Shrine
DT FLHTCU - Ultra Shrine
EA FXR
EB FXRS
EC FXRT
EE FXRDG
EG FXRS-SP Sport Edition
EH FXRD
EJ FXRC
EL FXLR
EM FXRS - CON
FA FLHS
FB FLHR-I Injected
FC FLHTCU-I Injected
FD FLHR
FE FLTCU-I Injected
FF FLHTC-I Injected

Dyna Glides
GA FXDB-D Daytona
GB FXDB-S Sturgis
GC FXDC
GD FXDL
GE FXDWG
GG FXDS-CON
GH FXD

XL Models
CA XLH
    XLH 1000cc 1981 - 1985
    XLH 883 1986 - 1987
    XLH 883 Deluxe
    XLH 1100
    XLH 883 1988 - present
    XLH 1200
CB XLS 1981 - 1985
CC XLX 1981 - 1985
CD XR-1000, 1983 - 1985
CE XLH 883 Hugger 1987 - present
CF XLH 883 Deluxe 1988 - present
CG XLH 1200 Custom
CH XLH 1200 Sport

Sidecars
SA CLE Purchased w/FLH
SD CLE Purchased w/FLH
SE CLE Separate
SF TLE Purchased w/FLTC/FLHTC
SG TLE Separate
SH CLE Purchased w/FLHX
GX TLE
HX RLE
KX TLE Ultra

Frame ID Numbers - 1970-1980

Motorcycle Serial Numbers

Vehicle Identification Number (V.I.N.) is located on the engine crankcase and is the same as the number located on frame steering head.

Example: 1A 13478 H7

1A = Model Designation 1A = FL-1200 6E = FXEF-80 2A = FLH-1200 7E = FLHS-1200 3A = XLH-1000 9E = SS-250 4A = XLCH-1000 2F = FXS-1200 5A = GE-750 3F = SXT-125 6A = SS-350 Sprint 4F = SS-175 7A = SX-125 6F = SS-125 8A = M65-S 7F = XLCR-1000 7B = ERS 2G = XLT-1000 8B = MSR-100 3G = FLH-80 2C = FX-1200 5G = FLT-80 3C = SX-350 Sprint 6G = FXE-80 5C = MC-65 7G = FXS-80 6C = SR-100 9G = FXWG-80 1D = LE Sidecar 1H = FXB-80 2D = X-90 2H = CLE Sidecar 3D = Z-90 3H = FLH-80 Classsic 5D = SX-175 5H = FLHS-80 6D = SX-250 6H = FL-80 7D = MX-250 7H = FLH-1200 Police 9D = FXE-1200 8H = FLH-1200 Shrine 4E = XLS-1000 9H = FLH-80 Police 5E = FXEF-1200 1K = FLH-80 Shrine 13478 = Sequential Number H = Decade Code H = 1970 thru 1979 J = 1980 only 7 = Model Season 0 = 1970 1 = 1971 2 = 1972 3 = 1973 4 = 1974 5 = 1975 6 = 1976 7 = 1977 8 = 1978 9 = 1979

Crankcase Identification Numbers

Numbers located on both left and right

crankcase halves.

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 changes

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 Day