How would I find out the date of manufacture of my bike?
It was made in 1998 and I want it registered Sept 09 but the officious bitch (sorry I mean DVLA customer representative) says she will only register it as Jan 1998. I'd like her to complete my registration and log it before I poke her in the eye.

Why do you want it registered Sept 09? I don't understand what you are trying to achieve here? Surely an authentic 1998 bike wants to be issued with a 98 year of manufacture and registration plate? Anyway Sept 09 is a couple of months off yet so I'm not surprised she thinks you're a berk.............

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In a purple fug

This place never ceases to surprise!
Sorry Spook, I guess your enquiry was a genuine one, but anyway

Great bit of rhyming slang, there, a much under-used word, IMO.

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Good in straight lines
2001 X1 "The Tart's Handbag"
2001 FZS1000 "The Fridge"

well i know for a fact you cant prove a bike frame off a vin number!! that little excercise cost me £125! you could always q plate it and call it what you want then! the spookster!

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BUELL-Turning riders into mechanics since 1983!!!

Whoops! Now that's a typo.

Sorry but I meant to type Sept 98 and not Sept 09, not sure how that happened.

Anyway back to the original question, anyone know how?

There will be a date code as part of the VIN.

I'm sure we've had threads on this before and I think the explanation of the codes is given in workshop manuals etc.

My 1997 M2 was "4MZK S11J8V3 315050" - I think the date code for 2007 is something to do with the "J" in the middle group.

However I think a further complication is that Buell's year codes are in model years, which are not the same as calendar years.

I am quite sure my S1 has the manufacturing date on a sticker with the VIN number.

Your VIN is 4MZYS11J3W32xxxxx

The W in the VIN number is 98 model year
The xxxxx is the sequential number, Buell will have a look-up table of sequential number and manufacturing date, you could guess how many were made per year and then apply that to your sequential number. I would have said Buell probably made 100 or so the year before to be ready for the new model year.

Check "Vehicle Identification Number" under "Chassis" in your Workshop manual.

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08 Specialized Langster

take the vin number down to silverstone hd. they can tell you


so they told me

Tried that they could only confirm the year

Sounds like you are barking up the wrong tree with the Vin number Spook. I think you might have more success contacting the seller in America. Surely someone over there could let you have a copy of the original US registration document? I reckon this would be acceptable to the bearded lady.

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In a purple fug

He should have the title for first registration, but that doesn't tell him when it was made.

Why not give Buell UK a ring?

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08 Specialized Langster

I'm intrigued as to why it is important to have September rather than January. I'm guessing it's because you have / want an "S1***" plate.

Anyway, date of manufacture is pretty irrelevant for number plate letters - ask those who have 2006 bikes on 2008 plates - so I think you've sent everyone up the wrong tree with the question, Spook. The important thing is when it was first registered. I think Lucky's suggestion is the only option for you.

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Good in straight lines
2001 X1 "The Tart's Handbag"
2001 FZS1000 "The Fridge"

If you have a colour printer, can't you find a letter from the factory sitting near it that responds to your request for the production date? Just remember, it's a K not a C

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Truly S1nthetic
Peccav1