1930 - 1969:
Example - 47EL1234
 
The engine number is the VIN and is located on left case.
There are no frame numbers until the 1970 model year.
First two numbers are the year.

Letters (up to four) are the model designation.
The last numbers are the production number.
 
-- Extra info for 1962 - 1969: --
 
If production number has four digits, the first number will be even if the year is even,
odd if the year is odd
If production number has five digits, the first two numbers will be even if the year is even,
odd if the year is odd
 
1970 - 1980***:
Example - 1A 123456 H8
 
Numbers on both frame and engine. These numbers will match exactly if the bike is all original
(with the exception of some 1979 models, see below).
First two digits are model code.
 
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
4E = XLS-1000  5E = FXEF-1200
6E = FXEF-80
7E = FLHS-1200
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 
Third through seventh numbers are the production numbers (always five numbers over 10000
 
last two digits are the year code
 
H0 = 1970
H1 = 1971
H2 = 1972
H3 = 1973
H4 = 1974
H5 = 1975  H6 = 1976
H7 = 1977
H8 = 1978
H9 = 1979
J0 = 1980
1979***:
 
Some 1979 engines had totally different numbers. This was a factory idea that was quickly changed after they were notified that it made the bikes look stolen to some law enforcement agencies. The production date range is 1/9/79 - 2/7/79, and the frame VINs affected are or should be 43000H9 through 48199H9. The "crankcase number" is reported to be a ten digit numeric ID.
 
1981 - 2000***:
 
17 digit VIN on frame. Engine has a partial VIN and the numbering is out of sequence, but you will know if the engine and frame belong together or not.
 
Frame ID Numbers - 1981 -2000
Example: 1HD1AAK19BY123456
 
1HD1 
1 = Made in U.S.A.
HD = Harley Davidson
1 = Weight Class 
1 = Heavyweight
4 = Lightweight
8 = Sidecar
 
AA = Model Designation 
MODEL DESIGNATIONS:
 
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
EK FXRP - C.H.P.
EF FXRP - Fairing

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

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  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

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
 
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 = Introduction Date 
1 = Regular Introduction
2 = Mid-Year (January)
3 = California Special
4 = Daytona (March)
 
9 = 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 
V = 1997
W = 1998
X = 1999
Y = 2000
 
Y = Plant of Manufacture 
Y = York, PA
T = Tomahawk, WI
J =  Milwaukee, WI
 
123456 = Production Number 
2001-up***
Example: 1HD1BBL191J123456
 
17 digit VIN on frame. Abbreviated VIN on engine.
 
1HD1 
1 = Domestic/International 
1 = US/Domestic
5 = International
 
HD = Harley Davidson 
1 = Weight Class 
1 = Heavyweight (901 cc and larger)
4 = Lightweight (900 cc and smaller)
8 = Sidecar
 
BB = Model Designation 
FL/FX Models
 
BB = FXSTDI
BH = FXST
BJ = FLSTC
BL = FXSTS
BM = FLSTF
BR = FLSTS
BS = FXSTD
BT = FXSTB
BV = FXSTI
BW = FLSTCI
BX = FLSTFI
BY = FLSTSI
BZ = FXSTSI
DC = FLHT
DD = FLHT
DG = FLHTC Shrine
DJ = FLHTC
FB = FLHRI
FC = FLHTCUI
FD = FLHR
FF = FLHTCI
FG = FLHTCUI With Sidecar
FH = FLHPI  FL = FLHTCUI Shrine
FM = FLHTPI
FP = FLTR
FR = FLHRCI
FS = FLTRI
FT = FLHPEI
GD = FXDL
GE = FXDWG
GH = FXD
GJ = FXDX
GK = FXDP
GL = FXDXT
GX = SIDECAR TLE
HA = VRSCA
HX = SIDECAR RLE
JA = FXSTBI
JB = FXSTDI
KX = SIDECAR TLE ULTRA
PE = FXDWG3
PF = FLSTDSE
PG = FLHRSEI2 
XL Models
 
CA = XLH 883
CA = XLH 1200 or XL883
CE = XL 883H
CG = XL 1200C  CH = XL 1200S
CJ = XL 883C
CK = XL 883R 
L = Engine Type 
L = 1340 Evolution
M = 883 Evolution
P = 1200 Evolution
R = 1340 Evolution Fuel Injected
 V = Twin Cam 88
W = Twin Cam 88 Fuel Injected
Z = 1130 Revolution
 
1 = Introduction Date 
1 = Regular Introduction
2 = Mid Year (January)
3 = California Model
4 = Anniversary Model
 
9 = VIN Check Digit (Can be 0-9 or X) 
1 = Model Year 
1 = 2001
2 = 2002
3 = 2003
4 = 2004
5 = 2005
6 = 2006
7 = 2007
8 = 2008
9 = 2009

J = Assembly Plant 
J = Milwaukee, WI
T = Tomahawk, WI
Y = York, PA
K = Kansas City, KS
 
123456 = Production Number 
*** From 1970-up, the title always goes with the frame, not the engine. A notarized bill of sale and a copy of the title is sufficient proof of ownership for an engine, not for a frame.
The exception to this is 1969 and older, which do not have frame numbers for registration or titling purposes. This only applies to Harley Davidson. For other makes and models, please check with an appropriate source.