VINs and Registering Bikes

[BillyRok]

Do all XS/XJs have the serial number stamped into the cases and the VIN on the neck of the frame where the triple tree mounts? And they are the same number except the VIN is the serial number with a few extra characters? Is the VIN stamped into the frame or just on a label on the neck? If just a label, then what happens if the passing years have caused the label to disappear? Does this cause issues buying and registering a bike if the VIN is no longer visible on the bike? Lots of questions so I hope you got the gist of this...thanks.

[crazy steve]

Do all XS/XJs have the serial number stamped into the cases and the VIN on the neck of the frame where the triple tree mounts?

Yes.... The number on the engine is the model and unit serial number. The VIN just adds the info the feds wanted, like country of origin, model year, etc. The 'sticker' duplicates some of this info, but adds GVW and tire pressures. A missing sticker should be no cause for alarm...

If the stamped numbers have been altered and it needs to be inspected, you do have a problem.

[DGXSER]

Note that it is not uncommon for the engine to be swapped out, therefore the engine number and the VIN may not match. Not an issue in most placed, some states require they match.

Also, some of the earlier models did not have the full 17 digit VIN. My earlier 81 does not, the later 81 I wrecked did.

[BillyRok]

So if the sticker is missing, the VIN is no longer on the bike anywhere...it's not stamped into the neck under the sticker? How do you prove the title and/or registration really go with the bike if there is no VIN on the bike anyplace?

[DGXSER]

The shorter VIN is stamped into the neck, it is the JYA part that is not on the neck.

For instance, the 81 I had with the longer VIN was JYA4R0007BA004482 the VIN of my current 81 is 4R0000560. So for the first VIN, the neck stamp would have been 4R0004482. The JYA and 7BA00 were thrown in on the sticker to make it a 17 digit number instead of the 9 digit for registration purposes.

It took me about 15 minutes of conversation with my insurance agent to get them past the difference in VINs when I first bought the second 81, especially since I still had the first 81 at the time, so they had both on record. The DMV never gave me any grief about it though.

Now, if you go to buy one and the sticker is missing, and the title shows the 17 digit VIN, and the engine is not the same as the stamped VIN. I might have to give that some thought. But, if you follow the concept of the how the VIN was lengthened and the shorter VIN matches the title, I would not loose to much sleep over it.

[natemoen]

The stamped VIN is on the right hand side of the steering neck. Opposite side from the sticker.

[motoman]

So if the sticker is missing, the VIN is no longer on the bike anywhere...it's not stamped into the neck under the sticker? How do you prove the title and/or registration really go with the bike if there is no VIN on the bike anyplace?

The actual VIN is stamped into RIGHT side of steering neck.

[DGXSER]

Yes the 9 DIGIT VIN is stamped into the right side of the neck. The full 17 DIGIT VIN is only on the sticker, and the title. The VIN on the engine is only the 9 digit as well.