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Project Sports

Questions and answers about sports

I am trying to identify who made my bike

5 min read

Asked by: Jami Guareno

How can I tell what model my bike is?

The majority of serial numbers are located under the bottom bracket where the two pedal cranks meet. Turn your bike upside down and record the number. If there is no serial number near the cranks, you should check other common places including the front headset or rear stays.

How do I know if my bike is vintage?

Vintage motorcycle



The AHRMA defines motorcycles as vintage for motocross racing if they were built before 1975, and vintage for road racing if they were built after 1975.

How long is a bike serial number?

six to ten digits

Most (but not all) bicycles have a serial number. They’re usually referred to as a bicycle serial number, but also at times called a “frame number.” They are stamped onto the frame of a bike and range from six to ten digits long.

Where do I find my bike frame number?

Frame number location



Most typically the bike frame number can be found stamped on the bottom bracket. However, it’s not always and might not be stamped at all. It can sometimes be found on a sticker, especially with carbon frames.

Can you look up a bike serial number?

Can you look up a bike serial number? Yes, you look up your bike’s serial number. They are usually situated under your bike’s bottom bracket.

What old bikes are worth money?

The most valuable vintage bicycles

Vintage bicycle Copake Auction selling price
C. 1885 Rudge “Kangaroo” high wheel $32,760
C. 1892 Telegram $26,450
c. 1890 “The Rochester” $23,000
1937 Elgin Bluebird $17,250

How do you read a bike serial number?

Each manufacturer has their own identification system. But the first numbers usually indicate the year, and then month of manufacture. And the remaining numbers indicate the specific ID of that bike. The best way to read a bicycle serial number is to search the web for “[brand name] bike serial number decoder”.

What do the numbers on a bike mean?

Bikes generally have 1, 3, 18, 21, 24, or 27 speeds. (10- and 15-speeds are obsolete and you don’t see them on new bikes anymore.) Lower numbers are the low gears, and higher numbers are the high gears. First gear is a low gear.

What does a serial code look like?

Serial numbers are unique identifying codes. They can be strictly numerical, or contain letters and symbols as well – the key is that they’re a one-off code matched to a single product or component.

Is frame number same as serial number?

Yes, “serial number” and “frame number” are the same thing. The number on the sticker should match the number on your bike. Depending on the age of your bike, it will be in one of two places. Bikes built before mid-1999 will have the frame number stamped on the driveside dropout.

How do I identify my mountain bike?


Quote from video: And here's how you find it you just need to flip your bike over. And it should be right there on your bottom bracket.

What year is my bike by VIN?

The 10th character in the 17-character VIN represents the vehicle model-year. This standard applies to vehicles built in or after 1981. Before 1981, the VIN format was not standardized and varied by manufacturer.

What is the serial number?

Serial Numbers. A serial number (SN) is a number assigned to each individual product in order to distinguish that product from all others. The serial number is sometimes used only for warranty control and sometimes used for both warranty control and for version control.

Can you look up a bike serial number?

Can you look up a bike serial number? Yes, you look up your bike’s serial number. They are usually situated under your bike’s bottom bracket.

How do you read a bike serial number?

Each manufacturer has their own identification system. But the first numbers usually indicate the year, and then month of manufacture. And the remaining numbers indicate the specific ID of that bike. The best way to read a bicycle serial number is to search the web for “[brand name] bike serial number decoder”.

How do I know my bicycle model year?

6 Ways to Find the Age of Your Bicycle

  1. Check the Serial Number. The obvious starting point to find the date a bike was made is the serial number. …
  2. Use Online and Offline Literature. …
  3. Look at Specific Parts. …
  4. Ask the Seller or Owner. …
  5. Bring It to a Bike Shop. …
  6. Post Online.


How do you tell what year model your motorbike is?

HOW CAN I DETERMINE WHAT MODEL YEAR A MOTORCYCLE IS? Most brands run a 10th digit in the VIN, which represents the year. A J for example means 2018.

How do I identify my motorcycle?

Your VIN can be found on your vehicle title, registration and proof of insurance. If you don’t have those handy, you can find your VIN on the motorcycle itself. VINs are typically stamped directly into the metal of the motorcycle’s frame, but some models also include a VIN plate.

What each digit means in a VIN?

The first character of the VIN indicates the country in which the vehicle was manufactured. VIN’s starting with 1, 4, and 5 are manufactured in the United States. The third number or letter is used by the vehicle manufacturer to identify what kind of vehicle it is: car, truck, bus, etc.