Frame VIN ID Tag
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
Frame VIN ID Tag
Does anyone know if the VIN Tag on the right front downtube can replaced? And if so, what's the cost? I kinda barked mine when pulling the pipes so one letter is unreadable. (rookie move) Does it matter? Is it even a requirement? Is the VIN anywhere else on the bike?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
Likes: 837
From: KMHT KFMY
The VIN that counts is the one that is STAMPED on the frame, the label is not legally binding because they are easily duplicated or otherwise tampered with....
and yes I know there are all sorts of metal stamping kits out there with the same font as hd uses.
Ignore it
and yes I know there are all sorts of metal stamping kits out there with the same font as hd uses.
Ignore it
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
Not wanting to hi-jack this thread but wanted to share something that I ran across in '98 I believe.
The wife and I were returning home from the H-D Reunion part in Milwaukee and stopped in at a bike shop for a break and to possibly by a T-shirt (as if we didn't have enough) and hey had a lot of then hard to get Softails sitting on their showroom floor.
I was amazed at how many that had and was telling that to a salesman when he says "these aren't H-D's"!
He explained that due to the high demand for H-D's they were building "clones" and that unless you knew exactly how to tell them from a true, factory built model they were true replica bikes.
The only two difference was the VIN numbers and the fork stop.
The VIN#'s for a "real" Harley-Davison started with "HDxxxxxxxxx" while there's have no alpha prefix only numbers.
The second was that there was no "stops" that prevents the forks from turning too far to either the left or the right,
The wife and I were returning home from the H-D Reunion part in Milwaukee and stopped in at a bike shop for a break and to possibly by a T-shirt (as if we didn't have enough) and hey had a lot of then hard to get Softails sitting on their showroom floor.
I was amazed at how many that had and was telling that to a salesman when he says "these aren't H-D's"!
He explained that due to the high demand for H-D's they were building "clones" and that unless you knew exactly how to tell them from a true, factory built model they were true replica bikes.
The only two difference was the VIN numbers and the fork stop.
The VIN#'s for a "real" Harley-Davison started with "HDxxxxxxxxx" while there's have no alpha prefix only numbers.
The second was that there was no "stops" that prevents the forks from turning too far to either the left or the right,
Thread Starter
|
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
Not wanting to hi-jack this thread but wanted to share something that I ran across in '98 I believe.
The wife and I were returning home from the H-D Reunion part in Milwaukee and stopped in at a bike shop for a break and to possibly by a T-shirt (as if we didn't have enough) and hey had a lot of then hard to get Softails sitting on their showroom floor.
I was amazed at how many that had and was telling that to a salesman when he says "these aren't H-D's"!
He explained that due to the high demand for H-D's they were building "clones" and that unless you knew exactly how to tell them from a true, factory built model they were true replica bikes.
The only two difference was the VIN numbers and the fork stop.
The VIN#'s for a "real" Harley-Davison started with "HDxxxxxxxxx" while there's have no alpha prefix only numbers.
The second was that there was no "stops" that prevents the forks from turning too far to either the left or the right,
The wife and I were returning home from the H-D Reunion part in Milwaukee and stopped in at a bike shop for a break and to possibly by a T-shirt (as if we didn't have enough) and hey had a lot of then hard to get Softails sitting on their showroom floor.
I was amazed at how many that had and was telling that to a salesman when he says "these aren't H-D's"!
He explained that due to the high demand for H-D's they were building "clones" and that unless you knew exactly how to tell them from a true, factory built model they were true replica bikes.
The only two difference was the VIN numbers and the fork stop.
The VIN#'s for a "real" Harley-Davison started with "HDxxxxxxxxx" while there's have no alpha prefix only numbers.
The second was that there was no "stops" that prevents the forks from turning too far to either the left or the right,
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
As I remember the frames were from an independent non-HD supplier but most of the other parts were purchased from H-D and they were assembled locally.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,105
Likes: 13,052
From: Texas, USA
Like Neggy pointed out, it is nothing to worry about. I removed mine right before I removed the reflectors.
The VIN that counts is the one that is STAMPED on the frame, the label is not legally binding because they are easily duplicated or otherwise tampered with....
and yes I know there are all sorts of metal stamping kits out there with the same font as hd uses.
Ignore it
and yes I know there are all sorts of metal stamping kits out there with the same font as hd uses.
Ignore it
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
13RoadKing
Frame/Suspension/Front End/Brakes
128
Mar 26, 2017 04:21 PM
AR-15 DEUCE
General Harley Davidson Chat
80
Mar 4, 2010 11:45 AM