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Although the model code (prefix) and year code (suffix) was different for each frame/engine model, production numbers were not reissued (duplicated) for each model. Thus 2A10000H3 could be for an FLH while 4A10001H3 could have been used on the XLCH, and 3D10002H3 could have been used on a Z-90. When a number was used on the first model, it was not used on another model. If "10023" was used on an FLH, then it was not used on anything else for the duration of the year.
What factory evidence do you have to support your opinions?
Regarding 2C69069H3, as I said earlier I have a photo of it as an alleged engine VIN and I already mentioned one of the problems with it. Why is it on your latest chart?
I dont have photos of most of the Shovelhead and Sportster VINs you just added. But I do have photos of 2A18165H3 and 2A21995H3 as alleged engine VINs. Both appear to have problems. Why are they on your chart?
Another alleged engine VIN I have a photo of is 4A21000H2 but it too appears to have problems. Why is it on your chart? And there also appears to be a problem underneath the R-H case where the crankcase production number would normally be.
As I said a few days ago there is no point recording VINs for your chart unless they appear authentic.
Eric
What factory evidence do you have to support your opinions?
I don't...can you offer any factory data? Such information would really help our research. I suspect all that factory data is locked up in some rich collectors safe, or maybe published in a book that cost $500 or more! So for now, all I have is each other's experiences.
Regarding 2C69069H3, as I said earlier I have a photo of it as an alleged engine VIN and I already mentioned one of the problems with it. Why is it on your latest chart?
It is on my chart because no one has offered any photos of such data to me. Until it can be somehow confirmed or proven incorrect, it is just one number out of 300,000, of which many other may also be incorrect. I have less than 200 examples on the list. It is just a reference list created by a novice...awaiting factory evidence?
I don’t have photos of most of the Shovelhead and Sportster VINs you just added. But I do have photos of 2A18165H3 and 2A21995H3 as alleged engine VINs. Both appear to have problems. Why are they on your chart?
Because they are there until I can add such disputed information. Eventually I want to add a column or two so I can add notes and comments for such VIN's since they are sequential across all models...including the golf carts....or until factory evidence can be presented. You never know when someone might try and take a golf cart sequential number and apply it to a motorcycle. This could be true with way more than just the one or two you have identified. I would appreciate your help with this in the future.
Another alleged engine VIN I have a photo of is 4A21000H2 but it too appears to have problems. Why is it on your chart? And there also appears to be a problem underneath the R-H case where the crankcase production number would normally be.
Unfortunately just because "you" think there is a problem with said numbers does not mean there is. What you point out is certainly worth noting in the charts and let other folks decide for themselves. My goal is to simply document as much "data" as possible and revise it over time as concrete evidence is provided to me .
As I said a few days ago there is no point recording VINs for your chart unless they appear authentic.
In you own words, where is your factory evidence? In all fairness, I changed the title of the chart as to not give the impression that the data is authentic......YET!
Eric[/QUOTE]
I would like to start such NOTEs using your information...I will work on that this morning. This is extremely time consuming and constant changes and corrections are needed.....especially my SPELLING!!!
Thank you for your productive participation.
Last edited by Bryan Austin; Feb 8, 2026 at 08:24 AM.
What I have done in the past few minutes is add comments...it appears that anyone can make such comments on the chart. See if you can hover over a box and right click, you can click the "add comment" option in the drop down window. A comment can be noted by the little yellow triangle in the upper right corner of the box. Should look like this.
This example is for the reported concern for the accuracy of 2A18165H3. Let me know if you can not make such comments and I will fiddle with the settings to see what can be done to accessible to others.
IN ORDER TO SEE THIS OPTION ON YOUR PHONE...you may have to download the google sheets app.
Last edited by Bryan Austin; Feb 8, 2026 at 09:05 AM.
For 1973 Shovelheads there was 1A, 2A and 2C. All three models are in the same family and therefore their VINs were mixed in together. First/lowest VIN for 1973 general production Shovels was 10000 and it could have been assigned to any of those three models. Second VIN was 10001 and it too could have been assigned to any of those three models. Etc.
Same thing applied to 1973 Sportsters because the 3A and 4A are in the same family as each other.
But while were on 1973 models there is an alleged guide called Motorcycle Identification copyrighted 1986 by one Lee S Cole. It indicates VINs 10000, 10001 and 10002 for 73 Shovels were assigned to FXs while VINs for 73 FLHs began at 10003 and VINs for 73 FLs started at 11791.
It also suggests VINs for 73 Sportsters began at 40001 and 40002 depending on model. But what about VIN 40000 for 73 Sportsters? The guide doesnt say, even though VIN 40000 is mentioned in Service Bulletin 656.
And was 11791 really the lowest VIN for a 73 FL? I do not know. One of the problems with the guide by Mr Cole is that we know for certain that it contains a lot of errors regarding 1970/71 and earlier, including some that are exactly the same as those in a certain booklet used by the CHP back in the day. And therefore I am reluctant to believe anything else the alleged guide from 1986 says.
Eric
There’s no point recording VINs for your chart unless they appear authentic.
As I mentioned earlier I have a photo of 2C69069H3 as an alleged engine VIN. The C and H are what I refer to as wide and that’s what I would expect. Also the 6s are the type I’d expect, at that stage of numbering. But only one of the 9s is the type I’d expect at that stage of numbering which of course suggests that something unusual was going on with the other 9.
Regarding 2A72931H3, at Mecum I see nine photos but I can’t read either VIN. BTW, notice the lower R-H rear forging number may be 47652-73. If so it indicates the frame is later-73 or later.
From your list of E-Glides the only one I have photos of is 2A14556H3. I can’t see anything wrong with the frame VIN characters and they appear consistent with factory stamping. These include what I refer to as a narrow or slim A, 4 and H. And a rounded 6. I can’t see anything wrong with the engine VIN characters and they appear authentic. These include a wide A, 4 and H. And a rounded 6 which appears consistent with factory stamping of engines at that stage of numbering.
I have photos of 2C21433H3. Engine VIN may be okay but stamped above it is another ID number although I don’t know what it indicates. I’m not convinced about the frame VIN, partly because of the moulding.
Regarding the bike said to be 2C21775H3, notice its battery appears big enough to handle electric start. Originally the 2C (FX-1200) had a smaller battery because that model was kick-only. For Super Glides the electric starter is generally thought to have been introduced for 1974 models and the model designator was 9D (FXE-1200). But a lot of pieces relating to an electric starter have part numbers ending with -73, including electric start conversion kit #33217-73, and I have wondered at times if the FXE first appeared as a very late 73 model. But I have no VIN evidence yet. In other words I have no evidence yet of VINs 9D+++++H3.
From your list of Sportsters I have a photo of engine VIN 4A44984H3. I can’t see anything wrong with the characters and they appear consistent with factory stamping. These include wide 4s, wide A and wide H.
As I mentioned earlier, for 1973 Shovel engine VINs it seems the factory swapped the characters used as the 6 and 9 around several times during that model year. And it appears the same thing happened with the characters used as the 6 and 9 for 1973 Sportster engine VINs. That is apparently why 4A44984H3 has a 9 which is not rounded.
I have a photo of engine VIN 4A61720H3 but it’s blurry so I can’t tell if it’s authentic or not.
Another post to follow.
Eric
This information has also been added to each of those VIN's mentioned on the sheets list
Last edited by Bryan Austin; Feb 8, 2026 at 03:28 PM.
eightyeight, what book (I assume The Harley-Davidson Motor Company) and published date is that from?
THANKS!
The one thing thus far I find interesting in the pdf you posted is that for the 73' models...the book lists a total of all model bikes at 70,903...but the VIN on one bike found is 2A 72931 H3. I believe this may either be incorrect totals...or is correct, but proves that the a single sequential number list ran across the board for all models, including the Golf Carts. Probably the same with other years as well, just ain't got there yet!
Last edited by Bryan Austin; Feb 9, 2026 at 06:17 AM.
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