Newbie Needs Help with 11-Digit VIN

lorsban · 10-29-2009, 06:34 AM

Hello everyone,

This is lorsban from the Philippines. I've just recently purchased a 2nd Gen VFR 750 F. It's a "grey market" import from Japan, so it's got an 11-digit VIN.

I was told that it's an 88 model but I can't tell for sure because every VIN decoder out there is 17 digits. My concern is parts compatibility. Are the parts for 86-88 VFRs interchangeable? If not, how can I date my bike's year model in order to get the right parts?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks and regards,

lorsban

jap · 11-03-2009, 04:04 AM

Bikes prior to 89 or 90? only had 11 digit vin numbers.

motorhead1977 · 11-03-2009, 04:38 AM

Sorry but incorrect, at least in the USA. My 1984 1000F and 1985 VF500C both have a 17 digit VIN. As far as interchange parts I am sure someone else has more knowledge about those. Good luck and please post a picture of picture of your bike.

lorsban · 11-03-2009, 05:48 PM

Thanks guys! I've been doing some comparisons based on how the bike looks and I think I'm 80% sure now that it's an 87 based on the graphics and the wheel size. I read that 88's had 17in wheel sizes.

Love the bike! Perfect power, comfortable enough, clean lines and that 80's vibe that I love. And it only had 5000 kms! Apparently, the last owner mostly just kept it in the garage, that's why the tank/pipes were a little rusty from neglect. Thankfully, everything else vital is more or less in excellent shape.

This is my first non-vtwin bike so I'm still getting used to the quiet. But, man the power!

Anyway, here are some pics.

motorhead1977 · 11-03-2009, 06:53 PM

SWEET! Love that pearl white!

derstuka · 11-03-2009, 07:08 PM

Hello and welcome to the nuthouse chief!

lorsban · 11-03-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorhead1977

SWEET! Love that pearl white!

Thanks! Love the color too. It's pretty striking in person on a sunny day.

lorsban · 11-03-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derstuka

Hello and welcome to the nuthouse chief!

haha! Thanks, mate!

jap · 11-03-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorhead1977

Sorry but incorrect, at least in the USA. My 1984 1000F and 1985 VF500C both have a 17 digit VIN. As far as interchange parts I am sure someone else has more knowledge about those. Good luck and please post a picture of picture of your bike.

Hello Motorhead,
Sorry to correct you, but in Aus we only have 11 digit vin numbers prior to 89, I dare say Lorsban is in the same boat.

Regards
Jap

jap · 11-03-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorsban

Thanks guys! I've been doing some comparisons based on how the bike looks and I think I'm 80% sure now that it's an 87 based on the graphics and the wheel size. I read that 88's had 17in wheel sizes.

Love the bike! Perfect power, comfortable enough, clean lines and that 80's vibe that I love. And it only had 5000 kms! Apparently, the last owner mostly just kept it in the garage, that's why the tank/pipes were a little rusty from neglect. Thankfully, everything else vital is more or less in excellent shape.

This is my first non-vtwin bike so I'm still getting used to the quiet. But, man the power!

Anyway, here are some pics.

Nice bike lors!

Regards
Jap

captb · 11-04-2009, 12:51 AM

Nice ride, low miles, great find.

veefer800canuck · 11-04-2009, 02:46 AM

Yes, if you have the original 16/18 wheels then it's an '86 or '87.

88-89s did indeed have 17" wheels.

lorsban · 11-04-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veefer800canuck

Yes, if you have the original 16/18 wheels then it's an '86 or '87.

88-89s did indeed have 17" wheels.

Yup, that's what I read as well. Other than the wheels, I noticed differences in the fairing, there's a vent there that was moved towards the rear, near the pillion seat area. On 86-87 models, that vent's closer to the rider's thigh area.

drewl · 11-04-2009, 10:53 AM

Welcome aboard.
Congrats on the Viffer!

NWA_VFR700F · 11-04-2009, 01:07 PM

Yeah, that's definitely an 86-87 model. Here are a few pics just for reference.

1986 VFR750F in pearl

1987 VFR750F in pearl

1988 VFR750F in pearl

There are several differences, not just the side vent that you mentioned. The chin spoiler is different, and the rear peg sets are different between the 86/87 and the 88 models.

lorsban · 11-15-2009, 07:18 PM

Thanks NWA! Yeah, it's a Honda VFR 750 FG model, so that makes it an 86. I just noticed the little sticker that's on there if you take out the seat. Yeah, I'm a real detective, alright.

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10-29-2009, 06:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
lorsban Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Last Online: 11-17-2009 01:49 AM Location: Philippines My Ride: 2nd Gen VFR 750 F 2003 Yamaha V Star 1100 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Newbie Needs Help with 11-Digit VIN Hello everyone, This is lorsban from the Philippines. I've just recently purchased a 2nd Gen VFR 750 F. It's a "grey market" import from Japan, so it's got an 11-digit VIN. I was told that it's an 88 model but I can't tell for sure because every VIN decoder out there is 17 digits. My concern is parts compatibility. Are the parts for 86-88 VFRs interchangeable? If not, how can I date my bike's year model in order to get the right parts? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and regards, lorsban

11-03-2009, 04:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
motorhead1977 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Last Online: Yesterday 08:14 PM Location: Albany, NY My Ride: 2007 VFR800 RWB, 1985 VF500C, 1984 VF1000F Posts: 119 Thanks: 3 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Sorry but incorrect, at least in the USA. My 1984 1000F and 1985 VF500C both have a 17 digit VIN. As far as interchange parts I am sure someone else has more knowledge about those. Good luck and please post a picture of picture of your bike. __________________ "You have not converted a man because you have silenced him" John Viscount Morley c. 1874

11-03-2009, 06:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
motorhead1977 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Last Online: Yesterday 08:14 PM Location: Albany, NY My Ride: 2007 VFR800 RWB, 1985 VF500C, 1984 VF1000F Posts: 119 Thanks: 3 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	SWEET! Love that pearl white! __________________ "You have not converted a man because you have silenced him" John Viscount Morley c. 1874

11-03-2009, 07:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
derstuka Me soooooo horny... Join Date: Jan 2007 Last Online: Yesterday 08:37 PM Location: San Diego, CA - Find Me! My Ride: 1998 Honda VFR800FI View my Photo Gallery Posts: 4,249 Thanks: 52 Thanked 220 Times in 155 Posts	Hello and welcome to the nuthouse chief! __________________ ~Jason San Diego Riders click here >>>> San Diego County Area Riders (SCAR)

11-03-2009, 04:04 AM	#2 (permalink)
jap Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Last Online: 11-10-2009 03:18 AM Location: Melbourne My Ride: 1983 VF 750 F, Kwaka ZRX 1200R Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Bikes prior to 89 or 90? only had 11 digit vin numbers.

11-04-2009, 12:51 AM	#11 (permalink)
captb Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Last Online: Yesterday 10:02 PM My Ride: 1987 VFR 700 1998 CBRXX 1100 View my Photo Gallery Posts: 159 Thanks: 4 Thanked 10 Times in 9 Posts	Nice ride, low miles, great find.

11-04-2009, 02:46 AM	#12 (permalink)
veefer800canuck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Last Online: 11-15-2009 01:12 PM View my Photo Gallery Posts: 135 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Yes, if you have the original 16/18 wheels then it's an '86 or '87. 88-89s did indeed have 17" wheels.

11-04-2009, 10:53 AM	#14 (permalink)
drewl Philosphical Adviser Join Date: Nov 2007 Last Online: Yesterday 11:29 PM Location: Susanville, Ca - Find Me! My Ride: 2000 VFR 800 fi View my Photo Gallery Posts: 4,163 Thanks: 132 Thanked 255 Times in 192 Posts	Welcome aboard. Congrats on the Viffer! __________________ Shop Steward:Chat Hooers Union, Local 151 Ministry of Activity and Participation

11-04-2009, 01:07 PM	#15 (permalink)
NWA_VFR700F Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Last Online: 11-15-2009 05:28 PM Location: Siloam Springs, Arkansas My Ride: 1986 Honda VFR700F, 1989 Suzuki GSX750F Katana Posts: 87 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Yeah, that's definitely an 86-87 model. Here are a few pics just for reference. 1986 VFR750F in pearl 1987 VFR750F in pearl 1988 VFR750F in pearl There are several differences, not just the side vent that you mentioned. The chin spoiler is different, and the rear peg sets are different between the 86/87 and the 88 models.

11-15-2009, 07:18 PM	#16 (permalink)
lorsban Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Last Online: 11-17-2009 01:49 AM Location: Philippines My Ride: 2nd Gen VFR 750 F 2003 Yamaha V Star 1100 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks NWA! Yeah, it's a Honda VFR 750 FG model, so that makes it an 86. I just noticed the little sticker that's on there if you take out the seat. Yeah, I'm a real detective, alright.

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