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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!
Didn’t find what you needed in this particular post? Check out the HappyWrench Motorcycle Repair Link Database. It is a one-stop shop for all your DIY motorcycle repair information needs.