I am looking at buying a 64 pan. That is not a pretty original bike. I want to renovate at it.
I have a question about the vin# and what it stands for. The vin on the case is 64flhf130xx
Any help on this would be great
Remy

 

64 is the model year. FLHF is the model and the 130xx is the production number.

 

What is the F on the model # I've seen FL and FLH but FLHF ?

 

You seriously need to reconsider this bike. in 64 MoCo made the FL and FLH models ("H" stood for high performance motors) in bothe hand shift and foot shift models (think hand shift were primarily for LEO). That being said I do not believe they were stamped as foot shift or hand shift however.

The real red flag is the year model and sequential production number, beginning in 1962 (through 1969) MoCo changed the number system. 4 digits production number have an even first number for even years and odd for odd years; 5 digit production numbers have first two even for even years and odd for odd years

Sample...
64FL 6772 (OK)
68XLCH2371 (OK)
67FL4125 (Go to Jail)
69FLH15779 (OK)
64XLH3112 (Go to Jail)

Yours is stamped as a "64FLHF13XXX" with a 5 digit number the first two of which are ODD. That is absolutely a GO TO JAIL set of numbers. IMHO before you get too deep into it you might rethink it

 

The 1964 FLH and the 1964 FL are both 1200cc (74 cubic inch) OHV engines. The FLH has higher compression and a different cam etc. The second F for an FLHF or an FLF denoted a footshift model, as opposed to handshift, but the second F should not be stamped in the engine serial number.

H-D used an even/odd style of code for 1960-1969 engine serial numbers. For even years when there are only four characters in the sequential portion then the first of those four should be an even number--for example, 64FLH2345. But not 64FLH1234. For even years when there are five characters in the sequential portion of the serial number then the first two of those five, when taken as one number, should read as an even number--for example, 64FLH10345. But not 64FLH11234.

Also, notice in the photo below that the 4 in the year portion is of a certain style, having a closed top and no serifs. But notice the 4 in the sequential portion has an open top and a horizontal serif base. Notice the 6 is a certain style of straight back design:



You should also check the belly numbers. They should be on the outer edges of the bottom of each crankcase half toward the front. For a 1964 Panhead they should be in a similar format to the following: 164-1234(5); or 163-1234(5). Let us know what you find. And posting a good, clear partial photo of the serial number would be handy.

You mentioned the bike is not original and that you'd like to renovate it. But do you know what year the frame and other major components are? Can you post photos of each side of the bike? Eric

 

panz4ever, the even/odd code has been discussed several times on HTT but I see you believe the code began in 1962. I disagree. I say it started with the 1960 models and I have stated my reasons for that on HTT. Could you please explain why you believe it began in 1962. Eric

 

Eric, been to three different classes covering motorcycle theft, identification and what not. One class did not mention the years, one mentioned the start as 60, the other as 62. After typing I realized I forgot to mention the 60 start date as well.

Whether it is 60 or 62 is not, for me, the issue here. But it is obvious the kid is looking at a set of bogus cases. He shouldn't proceed any further, he should not look at anything else, he should just walk away (quickly).

 

panz, thanks for the response. I agree that 64FLHF130++ cannot be a factory-stamped serial number and we both mentioned problems with it. One reason I provided info about belly numbers was for further ID of cases, both now and in the future, because we often see mis-matched cases and also belly numbers that do not properly coincide with the serial number. A photo of the serial number would enable us to identify which stamps used were non-factory. And shots of the whole bike may help to identify the frame or style thereof, again not just for now but also for future reference.

Getting back to the start year for the even/odd code, if one class you attended said 1962 and one said 1960 then which year do you think is correct? Because it sounds like you originally intended to mention both years in your first post? Obviously both cannot be correct and that leaves me wondering where one of your classes got the wrong information from. Eric

 

Remy, here's an illustration for future reference. Eric

 

I have just called the owner. one time the bike is for sale on time not. the bike is in a bad condition. hope to get it for a little price. it's a 65 not a 64. the model would be a FLHF. (?) he's not sure about the vin on the case it would be 65FL13057 or 65FL3057 do you think it is a go to jail number or not ? thnak you

Remy