While the jugs and heads were out being worked on, I decided to finish prepping the tanks and fenders for paint. When I acquired the bike it had an awful rattle can metallic gray paint job. I used stripper to get the layers off and at the bottom noticed what looked like blue. I really like the Concord Blue and was hoping that it was the original color.

Sometime in the past when I was doing a lot of searching, I found a link someone had posted about contacting HD for archives information. So I did something I hadn't done in a long time - I wrote a letter. Two days ago I received an email with information about my year/model and the build data for my VIN (Build Date, Color, and which dealer it was shipped to). I was pleased to learn the color in fact was Concord Blue. My bike was built 5/7/1979 and was shipped to East Hampton, MA. Looks like it stayed relatively local all these years.

Thanks HD Customer Service!

 

I am surprised you got the color out of them, good for you. I called them a couple of months ago regarding my 1970 FLH, received a page full of information with motor build dates, assembly date, shipping, dealership etc, etc, but they did NOT have the original color. They could tell me how many of each color were made but in 1969/70 they did not keep the color as part of the record for each bike. Congrats.

 

That's pretty cool..... Nice to know the history of your ride.. do you have email contact info.? I'd like to find out about my 77. It's all chrome.. don't think it came that way....

 

The email sender's address is hd-buellservice@harley-davidson.com

 

I tried the email, didn't work for me. Go to Harley's website and find the phone number for the Museum, really. Call them with your VIN # and tell them you want Historical services. First time I called I got the run around. Second time the guy who answered the phone ran the # for me and gave me more info then I ever expected. Good luck.

 

Thanx Architect,
I called Harley Davidson 800-258-2464 And went through a few phone options, the last one was option 6. Only on hold for a coupe of minutes when "Rich" answered. Nice guy, he asked how he could help so I told him that I was looking for a time line on my 40 year old Shovel. So he continued to tell me that the earlier years were not on computer but were on Fiche. So he said with the VIN he would research it and send me an e-mail of his findings. I' looking for any info that is available, like where the bike was origanally purchased and with what options and color scheme. Should be interesting to find out. I'll update if anyone cares once I get the info.... Till then, Have a great day all....

 

Cool. That is the same # I called, just found my notes. I spoke with Brian, he said he was a Case Manager. He gave me a Reference #, not sure why, and then verbally supplied all the info over the phone. I must have been on the line with him for 30 minutes. Interesting that you get different methods depending on who you talk to. This is the info they gave me based on my VIN:

Engine assembly date: 10/6/69
Vehicle Assembly Date: 10/7/69
Ship Date : 10/24/69
Shipped to: Harley Davidson of Essex, Bloomfield NJ (no longer in business)
FLH built in 1970: 5,909
MSRP: $1,978
Crankcase #: 010-3**3
Transmission Serial #: F-5**4

Never expected this level of information but as I previously stated, no color. Good luck and I hope they do not leave you hanging too long.