I just purchased a 1974 fxe and have run into a problem registering it with the NY State DMV due to a vin number issue. Specifically, the last 2 digits are H5 , indicating that the bike is a 1975. However, it has always been registered as a 1974 model. As a result, the bike is being referred to a law enforcement dept for a evaluation/ investigation. God knows how long this will take.

Q-- did Harley sometimes have different year numbers stamped into the vin number ? I know that this would sometimes occur with panhead belly numbers.

 

I never saw a different year/title number. Are motor and frame numbers identical with no alterations? Harley used a special stamp for both motor and frame vin. Also check the year of the frame. There is a letter number stamp on the top motor mount. The letter gives the month the number the year. A February 1974 would be B 4.

If the transmission is original there is an anti theft code on the right front. It will begin with L,M or N for 1974 or N, P, R for 1975.

 

Thanks, FL. I'll check for the tranny and motor mount numbers. The motor vin is an exact match of the frame number.

 

I just checked the tranny number and it is P 569. Where on the top motor mount is that number located? It seems that all of the numbers on this bike indicate that it is a 1975 model yet it has been titled as a 1974. Strange.

 

If you are comfortable that nothing illegal has been going on with previous Owner's, then just be patient and let the process work itself out. If everything indicates '75, maybe it was a clerical error somewhere along the life of the bike. Wouldn't be the first time with NYS DMV.

When I first registered my WL, which had not been registered or titled for at least 40 years, they wanted proof of vehicle weight. This was on my first visit. Second visit to DMV I was ready to provide documentation but the woman just kept typing away and gave me a Registration. Went outside, she filled in 400 for the weight. Why? Where did she get that number? It was the fee I was paying in sales tax, exactly $400. She just kept typing and used the same # for the weight. Go figure, DMV at it's finest. Good luck.

 

Yea New York DMV is like that. The 04 Jeep I currently have was registered for 5700 lbs when I first got it. Had to get it weighed with proof that it was 3700 lbs. They stuck me for the price and I never could get that money back even though it was clearly an administrative error...

I'm sure it'll all be worked out.... It just takes them a while....