Forum

[John R]

Bullet '89. Various numbers are stamped on the engine, none seems to be in VIN format.

[simon]

There wasnt one on my bullet of a similar era until i was provided with one by the VTNZ (Vehicle Testing New Zealand) people. They wanted to pop rivet a horrid sticky backed piece of aluminium to the frame but fortunately I managed to borrow some number stamps and belted them into the headstock.

[Mark M]

John, it won't be on the engine, it'll be on the frame if actually fitted. (Did they have a modern VIN plate at this time?) VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number and the DVLA regard this as the whole vehicle identity, in line with how they see cars and other 4 or more wheel vehicles. Therefore the plate is fitted to the frame (or chassis). The engine number itself (or a version of it,) might appear on the plate (it often does on Japanese bikes) but then again it might not!

REgards, Mark

[Mark M]

And if you feel lonely and unloved without one you could buy and fit this: Ebay, item number 131937867369

REgards, Mark

[PeteF]

An '89 model should have a VIN number but it may be stamped on the frame headstock.
The Number will be recorded in the registration document.
You don't get VIN numbers on engines as it's the frame that's registered; engines get changed.

[John M]

Old bikes have a frame number not a VIN. A VIN is a term used for a internationally unique 17 digit identity number that identifies country of manufacture, maker, and other details. On a 1989 Bullet the frame number will be on the left (clutch) side of the headstock, and should be the same as the engine number which is on the left side of the crankcase above the breather. VIN numbers came in in the early 1980's for cars, but quite a lot later on motorcycles. Vehicles that were made and sold outside the EEC e.g. Indian home market bullets may not have a VIN irrespective of age.

[John R]

Thanks all. Under the rust and flaky paint on the headstock.

[Craig]

I have had Many Indian "Bullets" Inc my long Running 350's and I have never seen a VIN Plate????..Insurance & Mot seem happy with Matching Frame/Engine numbers though...

[jefrs]

Just to be perverse, my 2014/15 C5 has a stamped engine number, a stamped frame number, and a VIN plate. The engine and frame numbers can give you the factory date of manufacture.