1930–1936 Harley-Davidson V-Series Models
1930–1936 Harley-Davidson V-Series models including VL, VLD, and flathead big twins with specs, model listings, production data, and transition details.
Explore Other Eras: 1903–1929 Early Era | 1930–1936 V-Series | 1936–1947 Knucklehead | 1948–1965 Panhead
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1930 | 1931 | 1932 | 1933 | 1934 | 1935 | 1936
Overview
The V-Series years cover Harley-Davidson’s 1930–1935 flathead big twin period and the crucial transition year of 1936, when the last major V-Series machines overlapped with the first OHV Knucklehead models. This page serves as a year-by-year V-Series model and production reference, organized by primary V-Series models and the other Harley-Davidson models that appeared alongside them.
VIN Information
V-Series engine numbers use a year-first format followed by the model code and production sequence. The model code can identify engine family and compression or performance level, but sidecar and configuration suffixes were not always stamped into the VIN exactly as they appear in the sales listings. The 1936 E / EL / ES models also mark the first Knucklehead overlap year. For complete engine number decoding, see the Harley-Davidson VIN decoder and serial number guide.
1930 Harley-Davidson Models
V-Series Models (Primary)
- V 74 Twin — Medium Compression
- VS 74 Twin — Medium Compression, Sidecar Gearing
- VL 74 Twin — High Compression
- VLM 74 Twin — High Compression, Commercial Trim
- VC 74 Twin — Low Compression
- VCM 74 Twin — Low Compression, Commercial Trim
- VM 74 Twin — Medium Compression, Commercial Trim
- VMS 74 Twin — Medium Compression, Commercial Trim, Sidecar Gearing
- VMG 74 Twin — Medium Compression, Commercial / Gear Variant
Other Models
- D 45 Twin — Medium Compression
- DL 45 Twin — High Compression
- DLD 45 Twin — High Compression, Performance Variant
- DS 45 Twin — Medium Compression, Sidecar Gearing
- A — 21 cu. in Single
- B — 21 cu. in Single
- C — 30.5 cu. in Single
Racing Models
- Hill climbers and racing machines produced as one-off builds
New Features
- Drop-center wheel rims
- Forged “I” beam forks
Paint Colors
- Olive Green
- Range of six colors available at extra cost on twins
Model / VIN Notes
- 1930 establishes the year-first VIN structure used throughout the V-Series era.
- The model spread is especially broad in this first year, combining compression levels, commercial trims, and sidecar variants within the V family.
- Sidecar suffixes identify configuration, but were often not stamped directly into the VIN.
1931 Harley-Davidson Models
V-Series Models (Primary)
- V 74 Twin — Medium Compression
- VS 74 Twin — Medium Compression, Sidecar Gearing
- VL 74 Twin — High Compression
- VLC 74 Twin — Low Compression Variant
- VCS 74 Twin — Low Compression, Sidecar Gearing
- VMG 74 Twin — Medium Compression, Commercial / Gear Variant
- VMS 74 Twin — Medium Compression, Commercial Trim, Sidecar
Other Models
- D 45 Twin — Medium Compression
- DL 45 Twin — High Compression
- DLD 45 Twin — High Compression, Performance Variant
- DC 45 Twin — Low Compression
- DS 45 Twin — Medium Compression, Sidecar Gearing
- B — 21 cu. in Single
- C — 30.5 cu. in Single
Racing Models
- Racing and hill-climber models continued as special builds
New Features
- “Sunburst” horn (all models except B)
- Schebler deluxe carburetor on twins
Paint Colors
- Olive Green
- Range of five colors available at extra cost
Model / VIN Notes
- 1931 continues the year-first VIN structure while refining both the V and D families.
- Low-compression and sidecar variants become more explicit in the sales naming, but these details should not always be assumed to appear in the stamped engine number.
1932 Harley-Davidson Models
V-Series Models (Primary)
- V 74 Twin — Medium Compression
- VS 74 Twin — Medium Compression, Sidecar Gearing
- VL 74 Twin — High Compression
- VLD 74 Twin — High Compression, Performance Variant
- VCE 74 Twin — Low Compression, Magneto
- VE 74 Twin — High Compression, Magneto
- VF 74 Twin — High Compression, Performance
- VSF 74 Twin — High Compression, Sidecar Performance
- VSE 74 Twin — Medium Compression, Sidecar
Other Models
- R 45 Twin — Medium Compression
- RL 45 Twin — High Compression
- RLD 45 Twin — High Compression, Performance Variant
- RS 45 Twin — Medium Compression, Sidecar Gearing
- G Servi-Car — 45 Twin, Utility Configuration
- GA Servi-Car — Utility Variant
- GD Servi-Car — Commercial Body
- GE Servi-Car — Extended / Equipment Variant
- B — 21 cu. in Single
- C — 30.5 cu. in Single
Racing Models
- Competition and hill-climber models available
New Features
- Continued refinement of flathead twin platform
Paint Colors
- No specific color list surfaced in the V-Series master reference for 1932
Model / VIN Notes
- 1932 broadens the V-Series family substantially with more explicit performance, magneto, and sidecar variants.
- The presence of both V- and R-family performance models makes this one of the more complex early V-Series years to decode cleanly.
1933 Harley-Davidson Models
V-Series Models (Primary)
- V 74 Twin — Medium Compression
- VS 74 Twin — Medium Compression, Sidecar Gearing
- VL 74 Twin — High Compression
- VLD 74 Twin — High Compression, Performance Variant
- VC 74 Twin — Low Compression
- VE 74 Twin — High Compression, Magneto
- VF 74 Twin — High Compression, Performance
- VSF 74 Twin — High Compression, Sidecar Performance
- VLE 74 Twin — High Compression, Magneto
- VSE 74 Twin — Medium Compression, Sidecar
Other Models
- R 45 Twin — Medium Compression
- RL 45 Twin — High Compression
- RLD 45 Twin — High Compression, Performance Variant
- RS 45 Twin — Medium Compression, Sidecar Gearing
- RE 45 Twin — High Compression, Magneto
- RLE 45 Twin — High Compression, Magneto
- RLDE 45 Twin — High Compression, Performance, Magneto
- G Servi-Car — Utility Configuration
- GA Servi-Car — Utility Variant
- GD Servi-Car — Commercial Body
- GDT Servi-Car — Commercial Body with Tow
- GE Servi-Car — Equipment Variant
- B — 21 cu. in Single
- C — 30.5 cu. in Single
Racing Models
- Racing and competition variants expanded (RLD, RLDE, etc.)
New Features
- Art Deco-style bird motif on tank (one-year-only design)
- Reverse gear optional on R models
- Buddy seat introduced as accessory
Paint Colors
- Olive Green discontinued as standard color
- Singles and Servi-Car: Silver and Turquoise
- Twins: range of five standard colors
Model / VIN Notes
- 1933 is a visually distinctive year thanks to the one-year tank motif and broader feature changes.
- The model range also grows more specialized, especially in magneto and performance-oriented configurations.
1934 Harley-Davidson Models
V-Series Models (Primary)
- V 74 Twin — Medium Compression
- VD 74 Twin — High Compression Variant
- VLD 74 Twin — High Compression, Performance Variant
- VDS 74 Twin — High Compression, Sidecar
- VFD 74 Twin — High Compression, Performance
- VFDS 74 Twin — High Compression, Performance, Sidecar
Other Models
- R 45 Twin — Medium Compression
- RL 45 Twin — High Compression
- RLD 45 Twin — High Compression, Performance
- RLDX 45 Twin — High Compression, Competition
- RLX 45 Twin — High Compression, Competition
- RS 45 Twin — Medium Compression, Sidecar
- RSX 45 Twin — Medium Compression, Competition
- RX 45 Twin — Competition Variant
- G Servi-Car — Utility
- GA Servi-Car — Utility Variant
- GD Servi-Car — Commercial Body
- GDT Servi-Car — Commercial Body with Tow
- GE Servi-Car — Equipment Variant
- B — 21 cu. in Single
- C — 30.5 cu. in Single
Racing Models
- Competition variants expanded (RLDX, RLX, RSX, RX)
New Features
- Airflow tail light
- Diamond-shaped logo on tank
Paint Colors
- Singles: Silver/Red or Olive Green/Black
- Twins: range of six standard colors
Model / VIN Notes
- 1934 continues the movement toward more distinct performance and competition branches across both big twins and 45s.
- The feature and paint notes for this year make it one of the most visually identifiable V-Series years.
1935 Harley-Davidson Models
V-Series Models (Primary)
- V 74 Twin — Medium Compression
- VD 74 Twin — High Compression
- VLD 74 Twin — High Compression, Performance
- VDS 74 Twin — High Compression, Sidecar
- VFD 74 Twin — High Compression, Performance
- VFDS 74 Twin — High Compression, Performance, Sidecar
Other Models
- R 45 Twin — Medium Compression
- RL 45 Twin — High Compression
- RLD 45 Twin — High Compression, Performance
- RLDR 45 Twin — High Compression, Racing Variant
- RS 45 Twin — Medium Compression, Sidecar
- RSR 45 Twin — Medium Compression, Racing Variant
Racing Models
- RLDR and RSR competition models
New Features
- Continued development of racing variants
Paint Colors
- Range of two-toned colors
Model / VIN Notes
- 1935 is the last full V-Series year before the 1936 overlap with the first OHV Knucklehead models.
- The model structure is tighter than the earlier years, but the racing-oriented 45 family still adds complexity.
1936 Harley-Davidson Models
Quick Links: Paint Options
V-Series Models (Primary)
- VD 74 Twin — High Compression
- VLD 74 Twin — High Compression, Performance
- VLDJ 74 Twin — High Compression, Performance Variant
- VDS 74 Twin — High Compression, Sidecar
- VFD 74 Twin — High Compression, Performance
- VFDS 74 Twin — High Compression, Performance, Sidecar
- VLH 80 Twin — High Compression
- VHS 80 Twin — High Compression, Sidecar
- VFH 80 Twin — High Compression, Performance
- VFHS 80 Twin — High Compression, Performance, Sidecar
Other Models
- R 45 Twin — Medium Compression
- RL 45 Twin — High Compression
- RLD 45 Twin — High Compression, Performance
- RLDR 45 Twin — High Compression, Racing
- RS 45 Twin — Medium Compression, Sidecar
- RSR 45 Twin — Medium Compression, Racing
- E 61 OHV Twin — Medium Compression
- EL 61 OHV Twin — High Compression
- ES 61 OHV Twin — Medium Compression, Sidecar
- G Servi-Car — Utility
- GA Servi-Car — Utility Variant
- GD Servi-Car — Commercial Body
- GDT Servi-Car — Commercial Body with Tow
- GE Servi-Car — Equipment Variant
Racing Models
- Competition variants continue alongside V-series and new OHV models
New Features
- Dry sump lubrication (Model E)
- Four-speed transmission
- Introduction of OHV Knucklehead
Paint Colors
- Range of two-toned colors
- Excludes OHV models (E / EL / ES), documented separately
Model / VIN Notes
- 1936 is the key overlap year between the outgoing V-Series flatheads and the first OHV Knuckleheads.
- The E / EL / ES models belong to this transition year, but their paint details are handled separately in the Knucklehead reference.
- This same 1936 model block should be repeated at the beginning of the Knucklehead page to keep the transition clear for readers and for VIN lookup.