Understanding Motorcycle VIN Numbers

When buying a motorcycle, particularly a vintage bike (see my post about buying vintage motorcycles), it is good to do a little research once you are able to get your hands on the VIN.

I suggest doing this before buying the bike to make sure the VIN numbers makes sense and that the bike isn’t stolen, etc.  I have told the story before of the Indian Scout I was considering purchasing that had Chief numbers because someone “re-stamped” it wrong.

I am not going to repeat the good work of others here, but rather give you links broken out by make to other sites explaining that particular brand’s VIN numbers.  If you know of another site that should be on the list below, please feel free to send it in via our contact page and I will amend this post.  Thanks!

Harley

http://www.tabperformance.com/harley-davidson-vin-reference-guide-s/224.htm

http://www.harley-performance.com/harley-vin.html

http://www.techsweb.us/hdvin2029.html

Indian

http://www.wildriders.org/threads/indian_serial_numbers.htm

http://indianmcc.com/dattech/serial_numbers_1901_1953.html

Honda:

https://www.motorcyclespareparts.eu/honda-parts/honda-model-prefix.aspx

https://itstillruns.com/decode-vin-number-honda-motorcycle-5776052.htmle.html

Kawasaki

https://www.motorcyclespareparts.eu/kawasaki-parts/kawasaki-model-identification.aspx

Suzuki

https://www.motorcyclespareparts.eu/suzuki-parts/suzuki-model-identification.aspx

BMW

http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/IDnumbrs.htm

http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/enginechassis.htm

http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/VIN/

Triumph/Norton/BSA

https://www.britishonly.com/tech/tips/framenumbers.asp

http://www.britishspares.com/41.php

Hopefully, this helps a little.  Good luck moto friends!  Also, please please please, share this post via social media!  HappyWrench is new and needs your support!

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