Eric, thanks for sharing the information. And I took a look this morning at the frame VIN and there is no "star" at the beginning. Looks like it was omitted.

Also you mentioned needing a frame date code for 1975. . Not the best shot but the only example I have for you...



...from this bike



...with this frame VIN (and just noticed it has only a partial star to start the number)




And Architect, please feel free to post the pic(s). Great to be able to compare.

 

My 71 FLH also has a star preceding the VIN# on the frame, but not the end.. It also has a "1" above it to the left - not sure what that means.

 

Here are some from my 1978-1/2 FXE. I'm the second owner and have had it since the early - mid 80's. It was an all stock bike when I got it but unfortunately, in hindsight, I made changes to it. I can't get a shot of the frame vin because the tank covers most of it except the ending "STAR". In the triangle area by the frame neck, it looks like a "4" or possibly an "A" stamped. There is another character above that, possibly a "J". It's very faint. On the round boss below that is an "A" stamped. The engine number is stamped in front of the front lifter block.

 

I can't wrap my head around the orientation of this Pic.. Since I never seen an Upside down VIN I am probably remiss on my guestimated orientation...

Oh Hell....Mirrored & Upside down... isn't it??

 

Is this better...can't you read backwards LOL

 

Cheers Dave. I’m not really surprised there is no star at the beginning of your 78 frame VIN. For reasons unknown on some occasions the first star was omitted as I mentioned above. I’ve also seen them partly off the boss as per your 75 frame VIN. Notice also the 9 in your 75 VIN is the same type as in your 78 VIN.

Thanks for posting C 5. It’s further forward than the J 4 that I mentioned earlier but at about the same height so we may find a few more like that for 1974–75.
Eric

 

Sometimes on that round boss you’ll find a smaller 1. Other characters found there for 1970–80 Shovels include 2, 3, 4, 8, M and S. I don’t know what any of them mean and my best guess is they were stamped by inspectors.
Eric

 

There is a star before and after the vin. It's just whether or not there was enough room in the boss when they stamped it. You cancsee them both on my 77. You have to look real close but the before one is partially there but because of the size of the boss on the frame you can't see the whole thing. Just the lower part of the star.... Zoom in and you'll see it..

 

Subscribed! great bike and color...

 

My '79 FXEF 80" has these tabs just FYI