I have a 'barn find' motorcycle here I'm having trouble determining the year and VIN. This bike belonged to my father in-law and I inherited it. He's been a Harley guy his entire life and this bike will remain in the family forever. With that said, the title is lost and I can't find the VIN. Can you guys help by letting me know exactly what I have and where I might be able to find a VIN anywhere on this bike?

Open to all questions!

(P.S. I've added pics of where I think the VIN should be (the neck), but it doesn't seem to be there)

Thank you!

 

I believe that prior to ‘77 or so there was no VIN number on Harley frames. The only serial number was on the left engine case between the cylinders. That bike appears to be a early-mid ‘70s XLH Sportster.

 

Early Sportster. I think it only had VIN on the engine case (primary side) right at the base of the cylinders.

 

can the power of attorney or whoever is in charge of the estate get a replacement title for it? the neck looks like it's been bondoed. see if you can chip it off maybe.

 

yup, looks like a 1970 sportster based off of the case. might be possible to run the plates that were on it and see if the dmv has a record also.
VIN should be on the bottom of the cylinders I believe below the pushrod tubes. It also would have been on the downtube on the frame but easily could be worn off or painted over.
here's another one with photos of the vin location http://suprememotos.com/harley-david...atching-s.html

 

All of you guys are awesome! I found it! It was below the cylinders on the RH side of the bike (if sitting on the bike). Using a VIN decoder it's telling me the bike is a 1971 XLCH-1000. Looking up the tags was a good idea, but it was last tagged in 2001 and apparently that tag number was reissued to a CBR600.

Not to get too personal, but my father in-law is still around, however his health is rapidly declining due to an inoperable brain tumor, which is why I've ended up with these bikes.

Thanks to you guys I'll be able to fill out the forms for a lost title since I now have the VIN. I will be completely rebuilding this bike, so I'll be sure to share in the future!