• Yamaha Serial Number Identification

Manufacturers used the numbers to identify the vehicles in the way they wanted until the 1980s. Yamaha wasn't an exception in this matter. Most of the manufacturers had nine months to implement this new rule on their assemblies. So if you plan to buy a bike of that year, the Yamaha VIN decoder can ask you to add a few more characters. The number was shorter, however, it can be decoded into the new VIN. If you buy a newer version of the bike, you will see a 17-characters code on the registration card that can tell you all the specs about it.

The VIN code usually starts with the letters such as JYA that refer to the world manufacturer code. The Yamaha VIN decoder will tell you that J stands for Japan, the country where it was manufactured. Y stands for Yamaha, the label of the company and A determines the type of the vehicle. We have a motorcycle in this case. If you see any other letters and the owner of the bike looks suspicious, you should definitely decode the full code to compare the bike you see with the data from the decoder.

1. Yamaha Motorcycles Serial Prefix – Yamaha Model Codes 1970 - 1994 Every prefix from a Yamaha vehicle identification number (VIN number) refers to a model code. Here we have a list from all prefixes and model codes including their model year and the available colors available in that year.
2. 1967 yamaha YR-1 350 Grand Prix. 1972 Kawasaki F-9 Bighorn 350. 1974 Honda XL-100. 1974 Honda Z-50. Japanese Motorcycle Serial Number Codes‎ ‎ Yamaha serial numbers. Subpages (1): Kawasaki serial numbers.

Serial numbers can be misleading thought Les, as I am sure you know. Yamaha like other manufacturers, often rotate their serial numbers every 5-10 years so it becomes hard to date some guitars using the number alone.

Yamaha Serial Number Identification

If you wish to buy a bike, the owner tells you the year, but the Yamaha ATV VIN decoder gives you another year, don't panic. The year in the code means the model year of the motor, but not the year when it was manufactured. Of course, it will be strange if the difference is more than a year or two. You can buy a new bike of the next year in autumn or in December of this year. It's a common practice of many companies.

VIN Location

The VIN code is placed on non-removable parts of Yamaha bikes. If you see any scratches or deformations, use the Yamaha motorcycle VIN decoder to check whether this number is genuine. If you see that such a code doesn't exist, don't buy this bike even if the price is too low. Let's take a closer look at the locations of the VIN on your bike. There are three main places:

• The right part of the head pipe or the steering tube (different names for one and the same part). Here you will see a shorter code for the models produced prior to 1982 or the 17-characters code for the models produced after 1981 and later. It's stamped vertically.
• Take a look at the left part of the steering tube to find the printed card with the code and some additional information. For the Yamaha motor decoder, you will need only the VIN code and nothing more. However, the actual year of manufacture is indicated there. And yes, the code is located on the both sides of the tube.
• The third place is on the case of the motor. You can find it next to or behind the clutch cover just on the right part of the motor. It's a small pad that's looking into the sky. Yamaha XJ550 models have the code is placed left to right while on other models it's front to back. The vintage Yamaha VIN decoder will decipher any code from any location on the bike.

The Yamaha VIN decoder ATV will tell you the information about the type of the engine, its specs and the type of fuel you can use. You should compare the code on the registration card with the code on all the locations on the bike. If you see any difference, it means the bike was repaired after an accident. If the codes are the same, the bike has its genuine parts that were produced in Japan.

Yamaha Sample VIN

• JYARM06YXGA002282 — 2016 Yamaha Fz07c - (689 cc), Motorcycle - Sport
• JYAVP32EXDA003396 — 2013 Yamaha XVS1300CT CT (1300CC), Motorcycle - Cruiser
• JYARJ16E0AA020429 — 2010 Yamaha YZF-R6 - (600 cc), Motorcycle - Sport
• JYAVM01E76A087480 — 2006 Yamaha XVS650 - (650CC), Motorcycle - Cruiser
• JYAVP02E42A018410 — 2002 Yamaha XV1600 AS (1602CC), Motorcycle - Cruiser

For information about a specific make or model of a motorcycle, the owner must have the frame (chassis) and engine numbers. Unfortunately, different manufacturers use different numbering systems and often place the numbers in odd places.

Later motorcycles (post-70s) typically have a stick-on decal or plate on the headstock. Besides detailing the bike's engine and frame number, the decal will show the makers, the model and year of manufacture. However, the model information can be confusing as machines offered for sale after September (in the United States) will technically be the following year's model.

For example, a motorcycle with a year model stated as 10/1982 on the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) decal will actually be a 1983 model.

Matching Numbers

Early motorcycles generally had the same number for the engine and frame (often referred to as matching). However, occasionally an engine case (containing the original number) may have been replaced due to damage and will not, therefore, have a number stamped on it. Alternatively, the owner may have stamped the new case to match the frame number; a practice that may be frowned upon, but if photographed and logged properly, will not greatly affect the value. (This is a typical example of when it is imperative to save the old parts.)

Locating Numbers

Locating a frame number on an early machine, especially one that is dirty and in need of restoration (barn fresh for example), can be challenging. However, typically, the number will be found in one of the following locations:

• Headstock (the most common location)
• Frame down tubes
• Lower frame rails (at the side)
• Stamped onto the plate that carries the swingarm pivot
• Under the gas tank on the frame's top tube
• Engine mounting plate (front or rear)

Engine numbers are generally stamped into aluminum cases. The location varies between manufacturers but will be located on the crankcases, just below the cylinder.

Help Through Clubs

Identifying a classic motorcycle from its frame and/or engine number is important for parts ordering or valuation purposes. Willing and able to help in this process are the many make specific clubs. In particular, the UK's Vintage Motorcycle Club Ltd. will undertake a search of any vintage motorcycle for a small fee (no charge if they cannot find the appropriate information).

Assuming the manufacturer is still in business, their websites are also a good source of information if the researcher is willing/able to spend time sifting through the various pages.

Finally, a word of caution: a classic motorcycle may be listed in a sale as a particular year and model but the prospective purchaser must research the engine and frame numbers to ensure they match the claimed model a model year error, for instance, can make a big difference to the value of a motorcycle.