Determining when a bike was built

[CMCOFFEY]

On the 1st gen, besides the sticker in front of the brake pedal, how do you determine when a bike was built? Is there a site to cross reference the VIN?

[cowpuc]

If I were home I would call Metric Motorsports in muskegon mi and ask mike or george boston that question coff. Explaining to them what you are trying to do.. I know the tenth digit is year manufact.. I am thinking by production numbers and finding out numbers produced per month it should be doable..

those guys at metric were yam dealers since the beginning..

If you call them tell them you are a friend of mine who is in the military and I am trying to help you find your dream bike..

they dont know me as puc, only scott barnhard

hope it helps

puc

[Prairiehammer]

I have been compiling First Gen VIN for a few years. I've entered all VINs that I have encountered through eBay sales, internet salvage sales and other ways. Sometimes I have been fortunate to note the build date with the VIN as well as mileage, color and sale location.

If any one will provide me with their VIN I will return via email the Excel database I have compiled.

But to answer your question Chris; the only completely accurate way to determine build date is by noting the date on the VIN sticker. I can sometimes extrapolate an approximate date of manufacture of a given VIN, but not precisely. For instance, regarding your quest for a February 1984 built bike, I can say that VIN 41R006EA001766 was built in 01/84 and VIN 59H000FA000394 was built in 11/84 (as an '85). The latest 1984 VIN I have is 41V006EA003008, but no build date. Sorry, but I don't have more information than that as far as build date is concerned. Most of my compiled VIN do not include build date.

 

Edited July 3, 2014 by Prairiehammer