Motorcycle VIN numbers give a world of information if you know the decoding secrets. While they may seem like random strings of characters, VIN codes reveal the motorcycle's manufacturer, its model, engine size and other characteristics, where the motorcycle was manufactured (both country and plant), as well as the year it rolled off the assembly line.
From Ultima® Motor Works! ULTIMA EVO ENGINE >>DIMENSIONS Ultima® Motor Works!
How do i find out an engine size from a serial number? Be a SERIAL NUMBER of the Bike. Of a 1963 buick electra motor using the engine serial number? How can the answer be improved? The serial number is on the front of the lower block down towards the bottom. There is a small flat spot down on the lower 2-3 inches and it has the serial stamped into it. My bike is an 02 and this is the serial number. I believe it is the last two digits in the serial # (the motor needs cleaned). >> Engine Parts Big Book Ultima Machine Shop: CLICK ABOVE For an Ultima Products Catalog call your Midwest Motorcycle Supply Sales Rep.
VIN, or Vehicle Identification Numbers, were standardized in 1981 by the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA). By law they are 17 characters long, consisting of both numbers and letters. Each character or sequence of characters has specific meaning.
Most importantly, your VIN cannot be identical to any other VIN within a 30-year period, so unless the bike you’re interested in is more than 30 years old, the code is unique. VIN numbers are mandated to be permanently affixed, so manufacturers typically stamp the code onto the frame and engine so that it isn’t easily altered or removed. The code must use the digits zero to nine and capital, sans-serif A to Z characters—except the letters “I”, “O,” and “Q”. Duplicate VIN codes, letters that are not capitalized, sans-serif style, or digits other than zero to nine (in other words, digits not common to the English language) are fraud alerts. Be prepared to walk away if the VIN codes do not conform to these standards.
Even if the VIN looks legitimate, if you're buying from a private owner, do all your homework before money changes hands. Your state's motor vehicle department will likely provide a means to verify details of ownership and reveal lien holders, such as a bank.
The First Three Characters
This first section renders information in this order: the country of origin, the manufacturer, and a third character showing either a “1” or an “A” to indicate “motorcycle.”
Ultima Motor Serial Number Number
The Next Five Characters
The second section is called the vehicle descriptor section. The fourth place in the VIN code indicates the vehicle category:
- C = scooter
- B = business model or commuter
- N = single cylinder sport/street
- G = multiple cylinder sport/street
- F = family
- S = off road
- V = v-type engine, street, V2/V4/V6/V8, etc.
In the fifth place, you will see a letter indicating engine displacement:
- A = 49cc and less
- B = 50-69cc
- C = 70-79cc
- D = 80-89cc
- E = 90-99cc
- F = 100-124cc
- G = 125-149cc
- H = 150-199cc
- J = 200-249cc
- K = 250-399cc
- M = 400-499cc
- N = 500-599cc
- P = 600-699cc
- R = 700-749cc
- S = 750-849cc
- T = 850-999cc
- U = 1000-1099cc
- V = 1100-1199cc
- W = 1200-1299cc
- Y = 1400-1499cc
- Z = 1500cc and up
The sixth place will have a digit for engine type:
- 1 = 2 stroke single
- 2 = 2 stroke twin
- 3 = 2 stroke triple or four
- 4 = 4 stroke single
- 5 = 4 stroke twin
Next in the sequence, the seventh spot, indicates design sequence while eighth is for model version. In the ninth space is a check digit mandated to verify the accuracy of the VIN code. This place does not render any specific information about the motorcycle itself.
Year Code and Manufacturing Plant
Ultima Motor Serial Number Search
In the tenth and eleventh spaces will be the year code and an indication of the plant the motorcycle was manufactured respectively. The year codes are as follows:
- 1999....................X
- 2000....................Y
- 2001....................1
- 2002....................2
- 2003....................3
- 2004....................4
- 2005....................5
- 2006....................6
- 2007....................7
- 2008....................8
- 2009....................9
- 2010....................A
- 2011....................B
- 2012....................C
- 2013....................D
The Last Eight Digits
Ultima Motorcycle Motors
The motorcycle’s serial number takes up the last eight places in the VIN number. These are assigned sequentially as the motorcycles finish assembly.