7th 8th and 9th digit not on sticker

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xsxs

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Just the other day I found these 2 project bikes for sale and was lucky enough to have the day off and be the first to arrive. This guy had me laughing the whole time as I looked the bikes over. One has a springer front on it. I was blinded by the chrome springs and sweet paint on the sporty tank. It's real small (185 cc)and does not run yet. It's wires are all over the place. The other is a xs400 with frame bobbed. I was not really interested in the xs400 as much. I was after that springer. After I offered cash, I realized I hadn't asked the big question, was there titles? he said not for the xs. I said I'll take it anyway. I didn't look at the stickers or stampings on either bike. I just wanted them. He also gave me an assload of brand new cans of primer, cleaners, paints,bondo,clamps, electric fittings, sea foam, valvoline cycle oil,breathers and new batterys for each bike. a whole box of stuff. I was stunned, it was 100 bucks easy worth of stuff he didn't have to add. I got looking at the bikes at home and realized the xs400 was more my size and much sweeter as the springer is home made and clearly never road tested. The little chrome points on top were only on there with wood screws in the back,shoddy looking welds,etc.. I started looking over the xs,added battery put some gas in the carbless holes, hit the button and the damn thing started. It was brief, but enough to tell me it's got spark and compression. where I'm at now is the real bummer. the frame and engine stamped vin numbers are in tact. the sticker on the xs is peeled, cracked and faded.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66583649@N06/7200291266/" title="DSC07697 by carzngitarz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7239/7200291266_3789df86b7_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC07697"></a>

I'm missing 3 numbers to complete the vin. the 7th 8th and 9th. I'm not sure what to do. the only info he gave me on the bike is that he bought it from an old farmer in rochester ny. I really don't think this bike is hot. I must call him back and see what more info I can get on this sweet machine. If anyone knows the 7th 8th and 9th numbers by knowing the bike model and what they mean I'd be further along. Because of this site and scouring the net I have found that it is a 1982 heritage special. has spokes, drum brakes, one side cover says heritage special, I believe it's original. It's a JYA14V bike.any ideas or info would be appreciated. I'm not sure it's a good idea to post my vin, on the other hand. I have a matching frame and engine and anyone trying to use my vin to register would end up being the one in trouble when mine gets titled. This vin is authentic on sticker,frame and engine.any inspector could see that.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/66583649@N06/7200304300/" title="DSC07699 by carzngitarz, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7088/7200304300_df95134a23_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC07699"></a>
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66583649@N06/7200291266

That is unfortunate. On an older bike I wonder if you can research a little then somehow find a "loophole" to fill in those numbers and register it.

If she's a runner and you wanted a bike without the hacked off subframe it looks like it would make a great parts bike, just more trouble, time getting a matching case and frame -junk bike. Depends how much you really love the XS and looks like other is a good project and some more of time consuming
 
In nys unless you have the title or the last registered owner file for the papers it is a parts bike:( Had this problem with a xs650 that had been off the road for 20years lucky I knew where to find the last registered owner and after 3months and $150 it was mine.
 
that's what I'm hoping.To fill in the blanks with the knowledge given. even then, the cutoff of using a pic or tracing in ny is 1973. after that, no title no deal. Unless I can use a friend in another state to register with the numbers given, and have the title sent back to me.or maybe a salvage title or mechanics lien. I've heard those two terms. I see what you did with the html. nice. I wanted the pics to automatically show,they usually do.. but that's better any way, thanks for your reply and help.
 
I have an 83 650 also. that one is on the road,needs a new front tire. I really dig the 400's size and look.I had a zuki gs 450 before the 650 and it really handled well.when I got the 650 it took some getting used to to make tight corners.the length and extra weight really impedes cornering.
I'm going to call my seller back and see what other info he has. I should have asked more questions. I get too distracted and happy when I get a bike. any bike. If it does come down to parts bike only I'll be posting the parts. I hope not though. I like to buy stuff, not sell. lol That's why my house is full of mechanical bullcrap in each room and corner. I have 4 speed saginaw in my dads bedroom.at 79 years old, he puts up with a lot.
 
Also ask him if he knows anything about the customizing, who and why it ended and where was it going. If the back half of the frame is not welded on straight maybe that's a reason to abandon the project. If someone was going to the trouble of doing custom work I would think that same person would have wanted to eventually register it. I still say find a junker for nearly nothing and since you know it starts you know it will make a good parts bike for a future ride.
 
My understanding is that the 17 digit VIN was introduced in 1981-82 and before that it was whatever the manufacturer chose to use. The code you gave starts out like a 17 position alphanumeric code.
J (Japan), Y (Yamaha), A (designates vehicle as a motorcycle), 14V (Yamaha's model code), next two places Yamaha did not use so they were filled with zeros, the ninth place is calculated number to verify the entire VIN. The start of the 17 position VIN would be JYA14V00?.
I would think that the so-called shorty VIN code stamped on the right hand side engine casing as well as on the steering neck or head pipe would be the appropriate ID if one cannot find the full 17 position code.
The shorty VIN would be the Yamaha model designation followed by the serial number and that should be stamped in the locations previously mentioned. It would be 14VXXXXXX - the model code followed by a six digit serial number.
Good Luck
Shep
 
On my 81 XS650 the frame has the sticker with the full 17 digit VIN, the registration only uses the 9 digit frame VIN.
What I might do is find another XS400 with good paper. It can be just a frame with a swing arm, you have the rest. A complete bike even with a bad engine will have carbs to use.
Just get the frame with good paper put your good engine in the good frame.
Leo
 
Thank you all for the information. I called Yamaha to see if they could fill in the blanks. They said they purge the system every 10 years and could not help. 7th 8th and 9th is the missing spots. According to Shep it's 00 there. I'm just missing the 9th. I'll go to DMV with the pics I have of frame and engine stampings, a signed bill of sale and see what they say. XSLeo is in NY and got a 9 digit title, maybe I can too.unless 1981 is the cutoff for shorter vin's. I did find out from Yamaha,the 10th spot is a letter. mine looks like a C which means 1982.


DSC07697 by carzngitarz, on Flickr

JYA14V00 (?) CA003507


DSC07703 by carzngitarz, on Flickr

I did get the carbs with it. Put em on and taped on this tank and seat for a maiden voyage down the sidewalk. lol
 
With black engine cases and black forks its a 82.
 
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I found a site that lets you figure out the 9th number by mathamatical equation mader by DMV. Yamaha did not tell me this. With the 7th and 8th spot filled with Zeros (thanks shep) I did the equation with the times and dividing it tells me to do. I came up with this.

J Y A 1 4 V 0 0 ( ? ) C A 0 0 3 5 0 7 vin #'s I have
1 8 1 1 4 5 0 0 3 1 0 0 3 5 0 7 code they give for each
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 times by
8-56-6-5-16-15-2-10 27-8-7-6-15-20-3-14 next, divide, by 11,
remainder after dividing is the number! which I calculate as 9.
I'm shitty at math, hope this is correct! lol

http://www.vinguard.org/vin.htm#Check_Digit_Calculation
 
I did it wrong. You have to find the remainder of the division problem.and even did the times wrong. 0 times anything is still 0. haha. Now I will see if I can get anywhere. I have the complete vin. Thanks for the help! I set the sporty tank on it from the other bike. It looks pretty nice.Runs great too. I'm going to send dmv the pics I took, the bill of sale, how I figured out the vin with info given and the 50 dollars title fee plus sales tax reciept from local office.It will be 6 to 8 weeks, just in time for winter! If anyone was looking for this bike, they would have found it. you punch in JYA14V and it comes here to xs400 and this post.
 
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