How do you decode an old Yamaha motorcycle's VIN or frame number?

If you are unable to read it because of wear you can take a plain piece of paper and a crayon. using the side of the crayon long-wise you can color the plate the numbers should become clear.

If you just recently bought the motor cycle the vend may have been altered because its stolen. you could be charged with stolen property or possession of stolen property. If this is the case get rid of it.

However, If that is NOT the case ...

The first digit denotes where the motorcycle was produced (example: J for Japan)

The eighth digit represents whether the bike will receive a green or a red sticker( the letter "c" or the number "3" will receive red anything else will be green to figure out your year, count your VIN from left to right (Or as you would normally read it) 10 CHARACTERS.

Compare your Character with the chart below.

For example of your 10th character is a "W" then look at the chart

below, your bike is a 1998.

If your 10th character is a 5 then your bike is an 05 and so on.

1980 = A

1981 = B

1982 = C

1983 = D

1984 = E

1985 = F

1986 = G

1987 = H

1988 = J

1989 = K

1990 = L

1991 = M

1992 = N

1993 = P

1994 = R

1995 = S

1996 = T

1997 = V

1998 = W

1999 = X

2000 = Y

2001 = 1

2002 = 2

2003 = 3

2004 = 4

2005 = 5

2006 = 6

2007 = 7

2008 = 8

2009 = 9