1984 fxef

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Jan 15, 2021 | 04:45 PM

#11

sbrmike

Road Master

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 1,161

Likes: 653

From: Potter County, PA

Here is my stem. Use my picture as evidence. My serial number is a bit lower than yours and the "E" is starting to get weaker than it's surrounding characters.

Jan 15, 2021 | 05:05 PM

#12

Alexander Pearce

Thread Starter

Cruiser

Joined: Dec 2019

Posts: 115

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From: Tasmania

Good on you Mike!
Thanks very much for that.
Do you happen to know how a build date is established while I'm at it?.
My 84 Wide Glide still had a silver sticker wrapped around one of the frame down tubes that had the build date written on it 12/1983 so no problem there.
The FXEF has got 12/1984 on the registration papers, wondering if that was just a wild guess.

Jan 15, 2021 | 08:22 PM

#13

sbrmike

Road Master

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 1,161

Likes: 653

From: Potter County, PA

Harley told me that mine was built March 6 1984. My title doesn't have a build date that I can see. It just lists as a 1984 model.

Jan 16, 2021 | 07:49 AM

#14

sbrmike

Road Master

Joined: May 2012

Posts: 1,161

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From: Potter County, PA

Now I don't know about the inner workings of the Harley factory, but as I said my bike was built March 6, 1984; it didn't leave the factory until August 25, 1985; and my title says 1984. I know my bike was originally shipped to American Harley-Davidson in North Tonawanda, NY. As I said I don't know the ins and outs of title-ing, etc., but I "think" and that is a "BIG assumption" on my part, but do not believe it would be titled until after arriving in whatever state it was sent to.

I have heard of cars being a 1985 model but having a 1984 title as most new cars are introduced the October before the actual model year's calendar date. I can't ever recall seeing it the other way, i.e. a 1984 being titled as a 1985 because that is when it left the factory? Perhaps there are some more knowledgeable folks out here?

Jan 16, 2021 | 02:00 PM

#15

Joe12RK

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 6,162

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From: CT/FL

The year when it was built tells the model year, generally Sept to July as you said. It could sit for years like my Moto Guzzi did before being first sold and titled, or it could be sold in Sept and titled the year before the model year. Yours is an 84 from all you've said.

Jan 19, 2021 | 04:08 AM

#16

Speeding Big Twin

Road Captain

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 695

Likes: 394

From: Western Australia

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexander Pearce

How I am going to also convince them that the F should be an E and it was poorly struck is going to take a bit of talking.

Alexander, I agree the alleged F may be a poorly struck E and I’ve seen it happen before. Also, if it was F then I would have expected that short horizontal stroke to be higher up the vertical stroke.

Have you calculated the check digit? It is the ninth character and it is used to help confirm the authenticity of the VIN. It can be calculated via the chart below.
Eric

Jan 19, 2021 | 06:10 AM

#17

Architect

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Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 9,586

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From: Long Island, New York

Cars and motorcycles are titled by the manufacturer per the manufacturer's production year. It has nothing to do with when it was manufactured, shipped or sold. The manufacturer builds their model year, the VIN verifies that year. My 1970 FLH left Milwaukee in October 1969 and verified by the MoCo, that does not make her a 1969 bike!?!? She is VIN-ed and Titled as a 1970 per the manufacturer. People get hung up on the sold/shipped date, it truly is irrelevant.

The MoCo can give you al the info you need. Just as an FYI, when I called about my FLH I was told the Engine Assembly Date: 10/6/69, Vehicle Assembly Date: 10/7/69 and Ship Date 10/24/69. And the bike is a 1970.