Finding the Correct Serial Numbers on R65LS

[Red_Hen]

Good Morning, Gang:

I didn't know this would turn into a hassle for my insurance agent but the insurance company is having a hard time identifying  the ID of my bike.

I read a thread about how in the early 80's how BMW changed the way they placed numbers on the bikes.   Here's a link to the full story:
http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/IDnumbrs.htm


So, here goes - your help appreciated:

Frame number on title says 6370246 R65LS
The placard on the Steering Head reads: 10R010322.  Before the number it has a large E and small 1 with a circle around it.
Engine number is 8145 3007  248 / F2P2

It would be helpful to know what my insurance agent needs to give to the company - there's soooo many numbers!

[nhmaf]

The VIN of all US-based R65 bikes was stamped on a smallish. THIN foil sticker which was stuck on the bottom rightside frame tube, just ahead of the right footpeg.   The main problem with this, is that it was prone to getting damaged/destroyed or even peeled off if some unknowning person decided to repaint the frame.  The VIN should be a 17 digit number, starting with "WB".   Prior to 1981, the frame number/engine number was used (7 digit 6xxxxxx number).  

Many states recognize if the bike is titled as later than 1981 it should have the correct VIN, but this often comes up as a problem/challenge on these bikes due to the location and quality of the foil sticker and the age of the bike.  Some states allow you to get by with just the frame serial number, but those who are sticklers for detail (such as California) can cause major hangups.

Hopefully, you still have a legible VIN sticker.

[darrylri]

The last 7 digits of your VIN should be stamped into the gusset between the headstock and the right side downtube.  This should match the sticker that nhmaf is talking about and the frame number listed on your title.  

Your insurance will want the complete 17 digit VIN.  

The sticker, if you still have it, was printed and embossed with a dot-matrix like number that lists the last 15 letters and digits, with the leading "WB" actually printed directly on the sticker.  It's white, and when the original ink disappears, it's pretty much impossible to read.  Get some clay or Silly Putty and impress it on the sticker to pick up an impression that you can look at in the light.

[Red_Hen]

Maybe you can help me piece these numbers together?

Sticker on headstock:  E1 (circle) 10R010322

Stamped in Frame and Engine: 6370246 R65LS

Also stamped on engine: 81453007  249 / F2 P2

[Lucky_Lou]

There is a plate mounted on the left  hand side frame (looking from the front) just in front of the fuel tank on mine which i think is standard on European bikes, the engine has the matching number stamped into the right hand side . Its a 7 digit # US spec must be different.
Lou

[Red_Hen]

Restoring Old Bikes: A Labor of Love and sometimes a Pain in the Arse!

[Barry]

We had a thread recently that looked at engine and frame numbers. While frame and engine number are mostly the same there were some anomalies and certainly BMW ceased to use identical frame and engine numbers from 85 onwards.

http://www.bmwr65.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1298220179/35#35

[Red_Hen]

Got it!

Called the Insurance Agency directly and through a series of miracles, the person who answered as Holly has been re-named H O L Y.

She got it done for me - basically the insurance companies need 17 digits.
So Holly used her sequencing program based on the bikes year, make and model and it pulled up WB 103650.  Next, she plugged in my frame number 6370246 and that only adds up to 15 - so, she added 2 zeros to make 17 and voila, I have coverage!
Name of company is: American Modern Insurance at 800 759-9008.

[nhmaf]

You owe that woman a dinner.   Hopefully your alphabet-soup VIN will appease any state constabularies too!

[Barry]

I know Ken is sorted now but I came across this attached service bulletin on VIN numbers which may be of general interest.

[Bob_Roller]

Ken I don't know if you have gone through the title change and registration process with your '82 LS .

I just looked at the title for my '82 LS and the VIN is : WB1036500C6370981 .

Just in case you have any issues with the VIN the insurance company 'manufactured' .

[nhmaf]

Yes, so based on Bob's corroborating info, you perhaps should only have (1) "0" added to the first part, and the 10th digit position MUST be a letter "C" for 1982 model year, and then the remaining 7 digits from the frame serial number.  So, technically we've been able to reconstruct what most likely WAS the VIN number for the bike, as
"WB1036500C6370246".  I think you'll want to make sure the tenth digit is correct on the documentation- usually the DMV people are aware of the letters which correspond to the year..

A challenge that we have to deal with in our state is that any vehicle purchased from out of state, or any vehicle for which there is no proof of in-state registration REQUIRES that a police officer do a VIN verification on the vehicle before it can be registered/titled in your name.   Even if you know the number, if the label/sticker is gone - you're still screwed - in this state anyway- and must go through an incredibly laborious process to try to get a replacement or nre VIN assignment from the state as a remanufactured vehicle.

[Red_Hen]

Thanks much.  I'll deal with those guys when I'm up to it - it's so bureaucratic and in MN, the entire state wants to register their boat, antique car or m/c right now - I'm gonna deal with this in the Winter when it's not so nuts.

Going to save this thread for sure and print it out!

[Red_Hen]

Thanks again NHAF and Bob on the correct Vin number.  I called my insurance agent again and their system took the number.  Now I'll know what to ask the DMV to change on the title.