Problem with VIN : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

hirsiukko · 08-30-2008, 03:14 PM

Hi,
I can't join to H.O.G. member (http://www.harley-davidson.com) because there is something with my VIN. I have 48FL and my number includes 9 marks: 48FLxxxxx
x's in my VIN mark five numbers. The page gives an error. It accepts for instance code with 8 marks.
Any idea?

Thanks!

springer- · 08-30-2008, 04:00 PM

Sounds like a doctored vin.

Buddy Seat · 08-31-2008, 01:19 AM

1 too many #'s

1948 Model FL production total= 8,071

Price: Model FL = $650.

'48 FL = "Special Sport Solo" 74ci hi-compression Panhead w / 4 speed tranny...

hirsiukko · 08-31-2008, 02:00 AM

Yes, it seems there is one number too much. I've "Wisconsin certificate of title for a vehicle" issued 1986 and it's after that registered in Europe.

There is a difference with papers:
Wisconsin: 48FL1xxxx
Europe: 48FLIxxxx
VIN stamped in motor: 48FL1xxxx
1 - I is the difference but all have 9 marks.

Why there would be any "doctoring"?

route66paul · 08-31-2008, 03:45 AM

1-I and 0-O are the ones that always get mixed up Vins use one or the other, not both. i think they should not use these at all. These get mixed up usually when re-registering, that causes problems with the reg not matching the vin, you get trouble on both sides and that fact that they don't match screws it up worse.

springer- · 08-31-2008, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hirsiukko

Why there would be any "doctoring"?

The number one reason would be it's stolen. The numbers get filed off or changed or maybe someone decided to add a number as a way to mask the real VIN. I know of no legitimate reason to change a VIN.

hirsiukko · 08-31-2008, 02:37 PM

Great, that would be a nightmare if stolen !?!.

Just done it as original, still a tank and then to the road after four years.

Quote:

or maybe someone decided to add a number as a way to mask the real VIN

So that change has been done in US, what do you recommend is the best way (company?) to ask VIN codes? I mean if I drop the last number away and ask who owns that one? Maybe the answer is the owner/stolen/export....

Any other ideas, or should I forget the membership of HOG?

springer- · 08-31-2008, 09:24 PM

If it is registered and legal, I would just ride it and forget about. No sense opening a can of worms.

bagga · 08-31-2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by springer-

If it is registered and legal, I would just ride it and forget about. No sense opening a can of worms.

i would agree with springer on this. if you want to join HOG just leave one number off. they have no legal authority and will never look at your vin number.

Buddy Seat · 09-01-2008, 12:29 AM

HD in Milwaukee will do a free VIN history.

Unfortunately they only go back to (last I checked) 1963

So this post is essentially useless in this thread..

But may help someone with a '63 or newer bike.. FWIW

hirsiukko · 09-07-2008, 01:30 AM

Thanks for the replies!
It's true, I won't want to call any possible problems. But the answers helped me to understand the background of my strange VIN and membership possibilities.

route66paul · 09-07-2008, 02:52 PM

The MOCO did many different things years ago when they replaced cases. I wonder if they did not add 1 digit to denote that it was a replaced set of cases? it seems to me that I remember some sort of something like that with some manufacturer. I would try to do some research

Batman357 · 10-29-2008, 09:20 PM

Your insurance Co. can tell you what the VIN format should be.