VIN Numbers And Year of Manufacture??????????

 Hi Guys,

Anyone know where to look up VINs for bikes earlier than 1980?

Also, how early the previous year would a bike be built then sold as
the next years model?

For example, I have a Yamaha DT250 titled as a '76, yet it was
manufactured in March of '75.

I know the new bikes come out late Summer early Fall for the next
year, so if the frame sticker says manufactured in '75, could it be a
'76 bike?

Thanks,
Tim

 Bally Tim wrote:

I think it's quite common, maybe even typical, for at least a frame or
engine number to be stamped nearly a year earlier than the model year.
Don't know whether assembly date matters or whether it's all just a
matter of the manufacturer's book-keeping and reportiing to the various
  national authorities.  Regarding look-ups, web searching often turns
up manufacturer-specific sites where interested fans have posted their
own vin research.

 
On the frame near the steering head.

 It was fairly common (in north america anyways) in the early to mid 70's for
Yamaha and Suzuki especially to sell bikes 1 or more yrs after they were
manufactured and title them for the current year. (No leftovers that way) .
That is why you always need the serial # to get correct parts for these
bikes. I know, I used to sell the parts. Honda and HD also should bring ser
# because of mid yr changes in design. I believe European bikes have had
fairly liberal interpretations of "model yr" when titling as well but I have
no direct experience with them. Like cars, motorcycles are commonly produced
beginning in  august of the yr before the model yr.

A coworker recently bought a 2000 something Yamaha whose NY State title was
wrong by a year from the day it was first registered so it still happens,
albeit a LOT less.