I picked up a 1973 harley sportster i think. were can i check the VIN facts forget car fax ?

Question

i got the bike from a tow yard. i got a clear title it has 1973 H D no model #. it is blank this my frist bike in 20 plus yrs. im lost on how to find this info. thx.

Answer 1

On the right side of the steering neck there is a stamped  plate with manufacturing date,plant,and style. If that's lost take the engine # and write Harley Davidson, they should be able to tell you.

Answer 2

Congrats on the new bike!

XL is the designation for Sportster.

If it's a kick-start it's a "CH" it's , if it's an electric start it's an "H".  

If it's a 72 Sportster It's most likely an XLH or XLCH.

(The XLCR didn't come out 'til "77, the XLS didn't come out 'til "79, and the XLA is rare.)

Dan is right, the VIN# should be on the downtube near the steering head and the numbers on the title, frame, and engine should match.

Here's a Website where you can figure out exactly what year make and model it is from the VIN #:

http://www.truettandosborn.com/VIN%20pag...

Checking the history of the bike?? I dunno, the Department Of Licensing maybe?

And Chopper is right; the first thing you're gonna wanna get for that bike is gonna be a factory service manual or a Clymer manual. You're gonna be pullin' wrenches on it.

If it IS an Ironhead Sportster and you have more questions about it here's a good place to find answers:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/thei...

Answer 3

its either xl or xlch as I recall xl is kick only.  if you have kick and electric start you have xlch hope you know how to wrench Iron sporties like to brake!!!!!

Answer 4

Check this web site it's been fairly accurate on the stuff I've checked

http://www.techsweb.us/hdvin.html