What number on the vin code relates to the year of the bike ?

[05HarleyBagger]

If any do ? ?   Thanks................

[truck]

1HD1FC4137Y111000 this is a 2007 model.

[War Horse]

Allways the 8th digit of a vin #, same as cars.

[bagger04]

The year is the 10th digit

[War Horse]

Oops, 10th is correct  I was thinking automotive engine codes.... 

Edit for clarification; I mentioned 8 , thinking of engine codes , not year make.

[Ultrashovel]

I'm looking in my 2011 Street Bob Parts Book, Page 2, Vin Nos. As War Horse says, The 8th Digit on a HD Vin signifies the year. In my case, the digit is "B" which signifies 2011.

Sample from Book:

1 HD 1 GN 4 1 7 B C 11100

The 7th digit is called a Vin Check digit. Somewhere, there is a list showing what the 8th digit means if other than "B".

[War Horse]

Ultrashovel, I was wrong with 8th, if you count over on yours, you will see B is # 10

[bagger04]

The year is the 10th digit fof automotive too.  The 8th digit for autos is the engine code.

[Snuff™]

Hummmmm...On my bike, it's the first two numbers. 60FLH105XX      

[truck]

Hummmmm...On my bike, it's the first two numbers. 60FLH105XX      

Smart ass.

[CraigArizona85248]

   Clearly it's not always the 10th digit is it Snuff 

49FL102XX

[Ultrashovel]

Ultrashovel, I was wrong with 8th, if you count over on yours, you will see B is # 10

You were actually correct. The digits are arranged in groups. HD is one digit. GN is one digit.

So, from the book sample:

1       2      3       4    5   6   7    8    9        10
1      HD     1      GN   4   1   7    B    C     111000

1 = Market designation USA (5 = outside of USA)

HD = Manufacturer/Vehicle Type  Harley-Davidson Motorcycle

1 = Motorcycle type 1 = Heavyweight over 900 cc.

GN = Model (Dyna in this case) from VIN Model Table. (I don't have this)

4 =  Twin Cam 96

1 = Introduction Date/Calibration - Domestic

7 = VIN check digit. Can be 0-9 or X

B = Model Year, in this case 2011 from date table (I don't have this)

C = Assembly Plant (Kansas City, MO, USA)

111000 = Sequential Nmber, Varies.

[War Horse]

I thought 17 characters was the law on all U.S. vehicles, although my book shows it that way too.

In 1981, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the United States standardized the format. It required all over-the-road-vehicles sold to contain a 17-character VIN, which does not include the letters I (i), O (o), or Q (q) (to avoid confusion with numerals 1 and 0).

As per Wikipedia..... 

[HogMike]

Hummmmm...On my bike, it's the first two numbers. 60FLH105XX      

Yeah, 
Mine says: 65FLH1XXX

[War Horse]

If I remember , werent the AMF bikes the year was the second number in the Vin ? 

[Snuff™]

If I remember , werent the AMF bikes the year was the second number in the Vin ? 

Last 2 were the year. ie  H4='74, H5='75, &  J0='80

It's got to be true, cause I read it on the internet!

[FSG]

You were actually correct. The digits are arranged in groups. HD is one digit. GN is one digit.

So, from the book sample:

1       2      3       4    5   6   7    8    9        10
1      HD     1      GN   4   1   7    B    C     111000

The answer to the question "What number on the vin code relates to the year of the bike ?" really depends on what the length of the VIN is to start with.  If it's less than 17 digits then for starters it's pre 1981.

All vehicles made after 1981 must have a VIN which is standard across all vehicles, including motorcycles, they all contain 17 characters. As posted earlier letters I (i), O (o), or Q (q) are not used, avoids confusion with numerals 1 and 0's.

The above example is incorrect, the correct layout is 

1    23    4    56   7   8   9    10   11   12 to 17
1    HD    1    GN   4   1   7     B    C    111000
 

Test your mathematical skills with this VIN, 1HD1BHY1?3Y094716 , its a 2003 Harley Davidson but what should the Check Digit, the 9th be ?

[War Horse]

9th, varies, can be 0 through 9 or X ...... as per SM. 

[FSG]

9th, varies, can be 0 through 9 or X ...... as per SM. 

True, there is a formula to calculate it based on the other 16 digits, with the remainder (0 to 9) being the check digit.  If the remainder is 10, the check digit is the letter X.   

[War Horse]

OK , I give...... without the formula my math would be futile, not that its any good with a formula 

[HroadhogD1]

    Several years ago I had a 1979 FLH Elecrta Glide.  The motor number was different from the frame number. It came that way directly from the factory.  They didn't do this very long, and I think that was the only year that MoCo did that.   

[Nooter99]

After reading all the replies in this thread, I now have absolutely no idea how to determine the year of a bike from the VIN!!

[FSG]

OK what length VIN are you looking at ?  If it's a 17 digit VIN the the decode of the 10th digit is below.