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Harley-Davidson VIN Decoder Australia

Free Harley-Davidson VIN Decoder to check motorcycle, bike, scooter, or ATV history and specifications by VIN number.

What is a Harley-Davidson VIN number decoder Australia?

Harley-Davidson VIN number decoder Australia is an online tool that you can use to learn essential information about the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, including its model, year of manufacture, assembly plant, and attributes. This information is derived from a unique 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), where each digit has a meaning assigned to it by the manufacturer.

You can technically decode a motorcycle VIN Australia manually if you know what each character represents. However, it’s much easier to just enter a Harley-Davidson VIN number into the free Harley VIN decoder Australia, which can display available information instantly.

How to use the Harley VIN decoder in Australia to do a Harley-Davidson VIN check?

Our Harley VIN number decoder in Australia is very easy to use. Once you’re on carVertical Harley-Davidson VIN decoder Australia page, follow these steps:

  1. Type the Harley VIN number into the “Enter VIN number” field
  2. Click “Decode VIN”

A VIN decoder Australia provides a brief VIN check, assuring that the VIN number is genuine and matches the motorcycle's details. If it is, the decoder will display the available information.

For a more in-depth overview of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, get a vehicle history report.

What is a Harley-Davidson VIN number?

A Harley-Davidson VIN number is a 17-character combination that every manufacturer’s motorcycle has. It’s like the bike’s personal ID necessary for identification.

You also need a Harley’s VIN number when insuring, registering a bike, or checking its history. Therefore, checking Harley-Davidson VIN codes is essential when buying a used motorcycle. Harley-Davidson VIN number can help you uncover basic vehicle specifications and access crucial historical data, like photos, information about mileage rollbacks, damages, and more.

Harley-Davidson started using the current 17-character VIN code format in 1981. In earlier models, the engine number acted as a VIN and didn’t include as many characters. For example, 1930-1962 models had 8-character VIN numbers that only included the production year, model designation, and a production number. In later models, the first digit of a production number was odd during odd production years and even during even production years.

How to read a Harley-Davidson VIN number

Harley-Davidson VIN codes use the same format as car VIN numbers – a combination of 17 characters that are divided into multiple sections for decoding. Here’s how to read a Harley-Davidson VIN number.

Harley Davidson VIN number breakdown

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)

The first 3 characters of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle VIN number represent the WMI section that encodes the origin and the manufacturer. For instance, “1HD” means that a motorcycle was manufactured in the US (1 = USA) by Harley-Davidson (HD = Harley-Davidson).

Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)

The 4th to 8th character in the Harley-Davidson VIN number denote motorcycle specifications, such as:

  • Weight class (digit 4), e.g., 1 = Heavyweight (≥ 901 cc), 4 = Lightweight (≤ 900 cc), 8 = Sidecar.
  • Model (digits 5 & 6).
  • Engine (digit 7), e.g., A = 1130 Revolution (100 CV), G = 1246 Revolution EFI, W = Twin Cam 88 Fuel Injected.
  • Introduction period (digit 8), e.g., 3 = California (Normal), 5, 6 = California (Mid-Year).

Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)

The Vehicle Identifier Section consists of the last 8 characters and reveals a Harley motorcycle's model year, assembly plant, and unique serial number.

Security Check Digit

The 9th digit, also called a Security Check Digit, is necessary to ensure that the Harley-Davidson VIN number is legitimate. This digit is calculated using the remaining VIN characters. If the result doesn’t match the check digit, the VIN number is incorrect or fake. VIN decoders perform this operation during a VIN number check.

Harley VIN number location

Harley Davidson VIN number location

Vehicle manufacturers put VIN numbers on irreplaceable or rarely replaceable parts to avoid fraud and accidental removal. Some common Harley-Davidson VIN number locations are:

  • The motorcycle’s frame, near the steering head
  • On a frame rail
  • (Rarely) on the bottom of the engine

Registration and insurance documents also list the motorcycle’s VIN number. Remember that numbers in different areas must match.

What Harley-Davidson models work with our free VIN decoder?

Our free Harley-Davidson VIN decoder Australia only works with Harley-Davidson models manufactured in 1981 or later, meaning the VIN number has to contain 17 characters.

You can check many older and all of the current Harley-Davidson motorcycles on carVertical, including:

  • Adventure touring bikes – Pan America, Pan America 1250, Pan America Special
  • Cruisers – Fat Bob, Fat Boy, Forty-Eight, Heritage Classic, Iron, Low Rider, Softail, Sport Glide, Street Bob
  • Grand American Touring bikes – Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Road King, Ultra Limited
  • Sport bikes – Nightster, Sportster
  • Trike bikes – Tri Glide, Freewheeler, Tri Glide Ultra

When buying a used or checking your own Harley-Davidson motorcycle in Australia, you can decode its VIN number to ensure it matches the make, model, and other essential information.

Decoding Harley-Davidson VIN numbers: what can you learn with the HD VIN number?

While decoding Harley-Davidson VIN numbers can help you confirm some basic information about a specific motorcycle, a full Harley-Davidson history report can also reveal:

  • Mileage rollbacks
  • A salvage title
  • Details about past damages
  • Thefts
  • Original equipment

Used motorcycle buyers face a high risk of fraud when they purchase a bike without knowing its background. Damaged and stolen motorcycles are on the market in various countries without buyers or even sellers knowing these devaluing facts.

Our mission is to protect used vehicle buyers from fraud and give them the upper hand in negotiations. We collaborate with manufacturers, dealerships, insurance companies, workshops, vehicle inspection centers, and other institutions and associations to provide up-to-date and reliable Harley-Davidson motorcycle history reports.

What is the difference between a free Harley-Davidson VIN check and a full history report?

Our Harley-Davidson VIN decoder Australia only provides basic vehicle identification data, which is available for free. A quick Harley-Davidson VIN lookup can reveal the vehicle’s make, model, year of manufacture, and equipment list.

A vehicle history report goes beyond these details. In addition to vehicle attributes, it allows you to check Harley-Davidson’s history – mileage records, damages, photos, safety information, and other available data. Since this information comes from paid databases, vehicle history reports aren’t free.

Frequently Asked Questions

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