Free Harley Davidson XL 883 / Sportster 883 Motorcycle VIN Decoder

How to decode a Harley Davidson XL 883 / Sportster 883 motorcycle VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Harley Davidson XL 883 / Sportster 883 motorcycle VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an integral part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. The WMI is comprised of the first three characters of the VIN, which indicate the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, and vehicle type. In the case of the Harley-Davidson XL 883 Sportster 883, the WMI provides essential information for tracking, registration, and recall purposes. It ensures that each motorcycle can be accurately traced back to Harley-Davidson as the manufacturer, highlighting the importance of this coding system in global vehicle identification and safety protocols. This system, standardized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), facilitates the precise identification and verification of vehicles on an international scale.

List of WMI Codes for a Harley Davidson XL 883 / Sportster 883 motorcycle

WMI: 1HD

• Model Years Covered: 1995
• Example VIN: 1HD4CEM10SY213185
• Manufacturer Name: Harley Davidson, LiveWire
• Vehicle Type: Motorcyle - Custom
• City: York
• State or Province: Pennsylvania
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Harley Davidson XL 883 / Sportster 883 motorcycle VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a Harley Davidson XL 883 / Sportster 883 motorcycle:

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Harley Davidson XL 883 / Sportster 883 motorcycle VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the Harley Davidson XL 883 / Sportster 883 motorcycle VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Harley Davidson XL 883 / Sportster 883 motorcycle VIN — Plant Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Harley Davidson XL 883 / Sportster 883 motorcycle

The final 6 characters in a Harley Davidson XL 883 / Sportster 883 motorcycle’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a Harley Davidson XL 883 / Sportster 883 VIN reveal?

The below is an example of a Harley Davidson XL 883 / Sportster 883 Motorcycle’s available specs based on its VIN, referencing the motorcycle in the table below:

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal that the motorcycle was manufactured in 1995, providing insights into the vehicle’s age and potential lifecycle.
• Body Class and Type: The VIN decode report may indicate that the motorcycle is classified as a Custom Motorcycle, which could be crucial information for enthusiasts and collectors regarding its design and intended use.
• Engine Specifications: From the VIN, one might learn the motorcycle features a V-Shaped engine configuration with two cylinders and a displacement of 883 CC (or 53.883966035 CI), highlighting the motorcycle’s power capacity and design ethos.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, as revealed by the VIN, is Gasoline, which is essential information for potential owners concerning fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Manufacturing Location: According to the VIN, the motorcycle was manufactured in York, Pennsylvania, United States, possibly affecting its collectibility and maintenance support in various regions due to its American craftsmanship.
• Model and Trim: The VIN could reveal that it is the XL 883 / Sportster 883 Hugger model, providing potential owners or enthusiasts with specific information on its design, performance, and market positioning.
• Engine Power: The VIN may indicate that the engine’s brake horsepower starts from 51 hp, offering insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities and its comparison with other motorcycles of its era and class.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Harley Davidson XL 883 / Sportster 883