I am trying to work a long-distance purchase of an 82 FXB, and the seller is having difficulty finding the engine number to confirm if is a matching numbers bike. He had no problem finding the frame number. I have searched the internet and found several sites with HD VIN information, but some of the info is incomplete and conflicts with info on other sites. It seems that HD changed numbering in 81, and under the new system for these models the engine number should be an "abbreviated" version of the frame number but with the numbers in the abbreviated engine number matching those in the frame number. Info in the owner's manual also seems to support this.

My questions are these: 1) Where on the engine can he find the engine number on this bike? and, 2) Should the engine number in fact match the last several digits of the frame number (VIN)?

Hopefully someone out there with a similar year bike can help out with some real world information.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Pat
Highlands, NC

 

On my 1970 the engine #' are on the right side case directly in front of the front cylinder lifter block. They should be an exact match to the frame #'s.

 

According to the service manual, starting in 1981 the full 17 digit motorcycle identification number is stamped on the steering head and on a label located on the right frame downtube. An abbreviated VIN is stamped on the right side crankcase near the front of the engine.

I will add that for 1984 models the engine VIN is located on the left engine case below the rear cylinder (similar to where the vin is located for EVO models).

Sample VIN as it appears on the sterring head: 1 HD1AAK11 EY010000
Sample abbreviated VIN as it appears on the engine: AAKE 010000

 

I think some 83 models had it on the left as well... but I don't think any 82s ?

 

1984 engines EVO or shovel, had 4 stars stamped on right case where the VIN used to be.

 

Yes I understand; I was merely pointing out where the engine VIN was located, not where it was not located.

 

Here's a link to the 1982 Owners Manual
https://serviceinfo.harley-davidson....426&groupId=16


See pages #23 & 58 for info about VIN & Engine Number


According to the picture on page #23, the engine number should be right in front of the front lifter block.

 

It is possible that there is no ser# at all on the engine , as like my '80 shovelhead
In 1979 for 1mo of production H-D put no ser# on engines at all
This is in the AMF -- H-D change over or change out how ever you want to put it , each one was trying to out do each other of scamming that a lot got SCREWED UP , like I said I have a '79 -1340 on a '80 frame with no ser# so if it's not in front of the front lifter block there is NO number

Another example ---- I also have a '81 Sportster with a ser# , a title , a bike -- H-D has no record of that ser# ever being made all the way back in the corp office , so who was screwing who on claiming it for income ???
'79 to '82 anything goes

 

if its of any help....my 1982 FLH has the vin on a label on the right hand side downtube and the exact same number on the right hand engine case up front of the pushrod tubes.

 

I just went out and checked. My 81 and 82 are on the right side in front of the front cylinder, as shown in the picture attached. My 83 is on the left side, under the front cylinder.

If they guy can't find a VIN stamped on the engine, I wouldn't buy it as an investment/collector piece, as it's probably had a case replacement.