Puzzled,
I'm somewhat convinced that we will never know unless the Mo Co is willing to provide us with a list of VIN numbers. Its convenient for them to say we built 747 black and grey SERG's. When you order painted parts the dealer wants the VIN. I don't think they care what the number is as long as they have the correct letter that designates its a CVO model bike.
Lets see a new 2004 Lightning was probably around $35k-40k with documentation. A new CVO is $35K without documentation. Lets say you keep the Lightning for 20 years. You decide to sell, the person will expect all the documentation if yor asking top dollar. Years ago people threw the boxes out when they purchased a firearm now everyone wants the original paperwork and box. A plain old cardbox from Colt for an M16 is worth money today.
FrankD