What year?

[heliwilly]

What year would the following VIN indicate. SABTVR03657074542.

Thanks

Bill W.p

[Nurse Julie]

No idea but the info so far is that its a 650. Out of interest, did the 650's not have VINS similar to the other SOHC/4's, for example CB650- xxxxxx? I have never had or even seen a CB650 so don't know what the VIN format is.
http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,18199.msg158097/topicseen.html#new

[SteveD CB500K0]

When I read that, I assumed that the seller had confused the V5 document number with a "VIN"

[heliwilly]

I have seen a copy of the V5 and the VIN number quoted is the number on the V5.
The V5 also staed that it is a 544 cc engine, and the engine Number is CB550E1138683.
First registered in the UK 22/04/1997. The Vehicle Inspectorate MOT certificate also quotes this as the VIN number.  It's on eBay:-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB-550-650-1970s/254107860474?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131017132637%26meid%3D04c66f6134054041b09bcd36c197862e%26pid%3D100033%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D8%26sd%3D233053604486%26itm%3D254107860474&_trksid=p2045573.c100033.m2042s   

I am confused as I don't recognise the VIN?
Bill W.

[Nurse Julie]

Yes, all a bit confusing Bill as he does say the engine is a 650. You have posted the same link as I did above Bill. How strange the seller putting the V5 reference number.

[heliwilly]

Julie,
See attached Photo's

[Nurse Julie]

According to this thread from another forum, any VIN starting with SABTVRO is a sign that DVLA have given it this VIN because it originated from a car !!! But, I think it just denotes 'kit' hence the Q plate.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=30&t=587440

[heliwilly]

Seems to have cleared up the confusion. Sort of. Would the DVLA re-stamp the headstock with the SABTVRxxxxxxxxxx VIN on a motorcycle? I can understand issuing a new VIN with a Q plate, but can't see them re-doing the headstock. I would have thought the year of manufacture could be accurately defined by the original frame stamping. Still confused, so I have asked the poster if he could photograph the headstock and the data tag on the rear of the frame.
Bill W.

[Nurse Julie]

I would have no idea at all who stamps the headstock Bill. I can now understand where the SABTVRO letters come from, this is obviously part of a DVLA process but I wonder what the numbers after this relate to?, was the number also issued by DVLA and does it originate from the original bike that the headstock was taken from? I wonder. It would be interesting to know.

[Bryanj]

The full engine in the add is a 650 and 650 frame numbers start with letters but cant remember what just now

[heliwilly]

There are 2 motors included in the sale. The non original 650 motor and the original CB550E1138683, athough this doesn't seem to be complete.
Ref the frame.
The headstock has been re stamped with the SABTVR number. It would appear that the original numbes has been ground off and the SABTVR number stamped on. see attached photo's from poster.

[matthewmosse]

As long as the paperwork matches what's on there. I think if you msva things then the frame number is either issued or you can make one up. Dont expect it to be consistent as the process has evolved and I've found dvla quite capable of saying one thing and doing another. Being a Q player it's not a restoration candidate really.

[Rob62]

Have you already bought this bike?.. it looks like one to avoid tbh.... plenty of others out there

[heliwilly]

No, Just curious, there seems a lot for the money. I have decided to steer clear. A lot doesn't seem to add up.

Bill W

.

[Rob62]

I think you’re wise to avoid it Bill.... unless you already have another frame with a log book and there are lots of usable parts with the dodgy one