I have attached a picture of my engine number, 560020014.My question is how can I read it. It is on a 1974 1000cc xlch motor.Thats what the ad said. Every thing about the motor points to it being what it was sold as except the engine number. I read a thread from 2007 on here with someone asking the same question. cant find it anymore. There number was similar to mine,hopefully they found the answer. Is it aftermarket?

 

My Google Fu skills came up with this.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...,d.aWw&cad=rja
http://www.techsweb.us/hdvin7080.html
http://www.harley-performance.com/harley-vin.html
http://www.terry-zone.com/tech/vin.php
http://shovelhead.us/pics/sheets/Fra...%20Numbers.pdf

 

Thanks for reply guzzi. If you put in the search engine the name, wrinspect, his question will come up. It is the same question I have, he asked this in 2007.I take it he lives in usa. I live in Australia. his and mine are close although I couldn't see his picture

 

If that is in fact a '74 case, that is NOT a stock Harley case. Their stamps started with either 3A (XLH) or 4A (XLCH) for Sportsters. It was then followed by the model, XLH or XLCH, and finally Hx, with x being the model year (i.e. 2 for '72, 3 for '73, etc.)

After the '80s they went with the more modern VIN coding. But for a '70s bike and beyond, that number isn't an issue. The frame VIN is what counts.

 

If it is an XLCH the number should begin with a star then 4A, if its a 74 it should end in H4 and then another star. And the numbers should look like the pic below. Whatever is in your bike........its not original. The same number should be on your frame neck right side.