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VIN Numbers |
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First of all, as the term “VIN Number” is redundant, here on out I’ll just refer to it as the “VIN”.
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is the 17-digit number stamped on the nameplate.
On North American models the nameplate is a decal on the bike’s frame, on the left side of the steering head. On European models it is an aluminum plate affixed to the right side of the steering head. On some models there is no VIN plate. The VIN is however stamped into the steering head on all models and is visible from the right side.
The number looks something like: 1HFSC 3404VA000123
The first 11 digits represent vehicle identification information and the last 6 numbers make up the
production or serial number.
The vehicle identification information is broken down on the pages that follow.
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The national release date for the first
Valkyries was May 25, 1996 – all
were 1997 models. | |
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VIN Decoding |
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Code |
Significance |
Breakdown/Remarks |
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1HF |
Production Origin |
1HF = motorcycle manufactured by Honda of America Mfg. in Ohio (Had the Valkyrie been manufactured in Japan, the production origin code would have been "JH2". All Valkyries however, were manufactured at the Honda plant in Marysville Ohio, USA.) |
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SC340 |
Vehicle Description (variant) |
See discussion on Variants |
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4 |
Check Digit |
Can be the numbers 0-9 or the letter "X". This represents the result of an
algorithm run against the other digits in the VIN. It is used to ensure that
the VIN wasn’t mis-keyed or fabricated |
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V |
Model Year |
V = 1997
W = 1998
X = 1999 |
Y = 2000
1 = 2001
2 = 2002 |
3 4 |
= = |
2003
2004 |
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A |
Plant where the product was made |
A H |
=
= |
Marysville Motorcycle Plant in Ohio USA Hamamatsu Plant in Japan (not applicable in the case of Valkyries, (see 1 above.) |
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0 |
Production Year |
0 |
= |
The initial model year for each variant (Standard, Tourer or Interstate)
will be a "0". On Standards and Tourers for example, 1997 models will be a "0", 1998 models, a "1" and 1999 models, a "2".
For Interstates, the 1999 models will be a "0", for Runes, the 2004
models will be a "0", etc. |
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00123 |
Serial Number |
Sequential numbers -"zeroed out" with each model year and with each variant. For example, there will be a 1997 Standard 49-state model with a serial number 00001, a 1997 Standard California model with a serial number 00001, a 1998 Tourer 49-state model with a serial number 00001, etc. Just because one’s bike may have serial number 00001, it doesn’t mean you have the first Valkyrie built, it means you have the first of that particular variant built that year. The VIN taken in whole is unique, but serial numbers are not.
It should be noted that in some variants (most notably Australian), a "5" in the first digit of the serial number is used to designate that it is a Tourer. | |
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