VIN problem. 9th character rubbed off. can't register!

[Nessism]

No, they seldom match. In fact, the formats are entirely different.
The engine number's format is simply GS850-156486, but the frame shows the 17-digit number like the one you listed.

For example, the last parts of our '82 850 are:
156486 - engine
103910 - frame

our '82 650:
125972 - engine
102770 - frame


.

17 digit vin coding started in 1981. Previous to that it was different - for example: GS450 - XXXXX where XXXXX = Serial number.

[matt_gs450]

Chef, I tried to enter all possible VINs into Carfax (0 - 9, A - Z) with no results. Weird. I guess the bike never existed with a 17 character VIN. All I can say is... THANKS A LOT GEICO! It's not so easy a caveman can do it.

I'll make an appointment with the dreaded DMV next week and see what options they give me.

Something I've started to think about is stripping my parts bike and putting the working drivetrain and electronics from the bad VIN bike onto it.

[80GS750]

there has got to be an easier way around this.....

[Calvin Blackmore]

IS this number worn off a sticker or are the characters that were stamped into the steel worn off?

[Calvin Blackmore]

If the bike was previously registered in the same state as it is currently you should be able to check the records for the bike as it was registered unde rhte previous owner.

One assumes someone in the trail of ownership had all the proper chars. in sequence plugged into some festering dmv database.

Do you know th eprevious owner or their name at least?

[Calvin Blackmore]

If your brave maybe try this:

http://www.dfs.virginia.gov/services/firearmsAndToolmarks/manuals/procedures/13%20-%20Section%209%20SERIAL%20NUMBER%20RESTORATIONS.pdf

I thought it only worked in the movies. May work on a bike fram as well as a gun. Metals would be quite diffrerent but yah have little to lose.

[mcycle-nut]

Have you got papers for your parts bike? If so, transfer all the good parts to the parts frame. A lot of work, but at least you will be able to ride the damn thing!

[gremlin]

I would call GEICO. then ask them why thay flagged your bike. thay need to fix there computer system. GEICO will start losing a lot of costumers if the costumers start having problems with there insurance flagging there bikes and autos because thay mismatch the Vin numbers.

If your lucky thay will call the dmv and fix it. the person at the dmv should be smart enuff to figer out that if you have 15 maching digits and one is rubed by the cables that the chances of more than one bike being sold in the state with a match that close is imposable.

[matt_gs450]

I just got done scheduling appointments with the DMV and the CHP. I won't have the CHP appointment until September 11, but I'll update the thread at that time with whatever the outcome is.

[TallBoy]

my money is on its a gs45 gX model...the X's were the ones that they shipped the the states and not europe.

[diesel]

Fwiw

JS1GL51LXB2100040 (parts bike)
JS1GL51L_B2100155 (bike with missing character)

I set up a spreadsheet to calculate the Check digit. Your parts bike came out with a check digit of 10 (represented by roman Numeral X). The missing character in the second VIN came out to be a 5.

Both numbers
JS1GL51LXB2100040 and JS1GL51L5B2100155 are valid when entered at this site...

http://www.analogx.com/cgi-bin/cgivin.exe

but if you change the check digit it shows it is invalid

[Go Mifune]

Chef, I tried to enter all possible VINs into Carfax (0 - 9, A - Z) with no results. Weird. I guess the bike never existed with a 17 character VIN. All I can say is... THANKS A LOT GEICO! It's not so easy a caveman can do it.

I'll make an appointment with the dreaded DMV next week and see what options they give me.

Something I've started to think about is stripping my parts bike and putting the working drivetrain and electronics from the bad VIN bike onto it.

Matt I think you were talking to me when you posted this. Anyway I went to experians vin check website auto check and I typed in all of the possible vins 0-9 and X and the only valid vin is the one with a 5 as the ninth digit.
So I second Diesel's finding on that fancy website he used. Check for yourself here is the link http://www.autocheck.com/consumers/vinSearchAction.do

[fyrenut]

Diesel is right

The program we use at our dept shows the number to be a 5.

[matt_gs450]

Ha! Thanks guys. I found this explanation of the check digit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_identification_number

(scroll down a bit)

Since the check digit is derived from the remaining digits, there can be no doubt that the missing character is a 5. I'll be armed with this info when I go to the DMV/CHP. I guess I'm lucky it's the check digit that's missing. It is probably possible (but more difficult) to determine other missing digits in a VIN

-Matt

[Dave8338]

Job well done Wattson's, I will be looking for the thumbs up when you return. \\/