VIN Numbers And Year of Manufacture??????????
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VIN Numbers And Year of Manufacture?????????? Bally Tim 06-11-2008
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Posted by Bally Tim on June 11, 2008, 10:59 pm
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

Posted by paul c on June 12, 2008, 12:19 pm
Bally Tim wrote:
> 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


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.

Posted by on June 14, 2008, 12:38 am
> 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

On the frame near the steering head.

Posted by Hank on June 15, 2008, 11:27 am
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.
>> 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
>
> On the frame near the steering head.



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