No VIN number on frame

Greeting to all,

This is my first post as a new member so forgive me if this question has been asked and answered already.

I have recently purchased a 1984 R100RS from a reputable vintage bike dealer and had it shipped here to California. The bike is great and the transaction went without a hitch with all the required documentation accounted for. While getting everything in order to register it I was looking for the VIN number on the bike and I can't seem to find it anywhere. No stampings, stickers, anywhere on the frame. The motor has a pad on the left side of the engine with stamped information, but they do not appear to have any correlation to the VIN number. The current out of state registration, plate number, proof of insurance, and title have a clear chain of custody, but nothing on the bike to tie it together. In researching this odd circumstance, I have heard there is a BMW Service bulletin (2298) that states that around 1984, BMW was not going identify their motorcycles using a VIN and this is not uncommon for bike of this vintage. This has phenomenon been mentioned in Snowbum's web site and others as well. I have searched the web and cannot fine this service bulletin anywhere which is odd as it has been touted as being the Rosetta Stone for BMW's that are VIN-less. Anyone know of this bulletin and know how to get a copy. I just need some ammunition in the event the DMV throws a net over me and my bike. In contrast, my /5 has the VIN number pounded on to every conceivable flat surface available.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

cheers

Have you checked the lower right frame rail, below and just aft of the RH cylinder?

Best,
DeVern

In addition to the lower right frame, check the label on the swing arm. If the swing arm is the original, the label will have the VIN punched into it with small holes to make the letters and numbers.

Thanks for getting back to me. No stickers or numbers stamped anywhere, and I have spent plenty time looking as well as my Airhead friends. I would like to get a copy of that BMW Service Bulletin 2298 if anyone knows how to get one. It is proving to be elusive so I am wondering if it is an urban myth.

blsuedeshu said:

Thanks for getting back to me. No stickers or numbers stamped anywhere, and I have spent plenty time looking as well as my Airhead friends. I would like to get a copy of that BMW Service Bulletin 2298 if anyone knows how to get one. It is proving to be elusive so I am wondering if it is an urban myth.

Click to expand...

Since you own a bike which gives you very good reason to need to see it I would think that any reputable BMW dealer would be willing to show it to you. Who have you asked?????

I have not seen any factory bulletin...probably different than a service bulletin...about this. My suggestion to contact Snowbum through his website and ask him to provide some background or a copy. I've never seen it before.

blsuedeshu said:

Thanks for getting back to me. No stickers or numbers stamped anywhere, and I have spent plenty time looking as well as my Airhead friends. I would like to get a copy of that BMW Service Bulletin 2298 if anyone knows how to get one. It is proving to be elusive so I am wondering if it is an urban myth.

Click to expand...

What does the existing title state as the identification for this vehicle?

My 84

This is the location of my serial number on my 84 RT, it is not deep and perhaps if your bike has been painted or powder coated the numbers may be hard to see? St.

When I need to highlight numbers/info such as in Steve's picture, I rub a piece of soapstone over the area. Chalk may work as well.
OM

From Snowbums page:

Per BMW factory bulletin 2298, if your State or Country requires an engine number, you are to use the top line characters on the milled flat area on the engine case, located below and forward of the left cylinder. BMW meant (my interpretation) this applied if you did not have a stamped engine number located at the dipstick area. The stamped milled flat area number BMW said to use is not really a true engine number, and all will be explained in this article.

You can read the article here: https://bmwmotorcycletech.info/IDnumbrs.htm

Lol

When I need to highlight numbers/info such as in Steve's picture, I rub a piece of soapstone over the area. Chalk may work as well.


LOL, I wasn't showing the numbers per say as the location of the serial number. Yes, chalk works fine. I had the frame powder coated over last winter and the coater specifically asked me what he wanted me to do in regard to the serial number. Care was taken so it would still be visible.

As part of NY requirements, the engine number is not the number used for registration, the frame number is. So in this fellow's case, there either is a number on the frame and he is missing it or, there was and perhaps it is obscured by paint or Powder. St.

PGlaves said:

Since you own a bike which gives you very good reason to need to see it I would think that any reputable BMW dealer would be willing to show it to you. Who have you asked?????

Click to expand...

The bike has had no problem title wise from the original owner in Texas to Georgia. Registration requirements may be looser in those states.

PGlaves said:

What does the existing title state as the identification for this vehicle?

Click to expand...

A VIN that I have not been able to find........yet!

blsuedeshu said:

The bike has had no problem title wise from the original owner in Texas to Georgia. Registration requirements may be looser in those states.

Click to expand...

So you haven't asked a dealer about the bulletin?

blsuedeshu said:

A VIN that I have not been able to find........yet!

Click to expand...

Snowbum’s treatises on VIN information can be found here:

https://bmwmotorcycletech.info/IDnumbrs.htm

https://bmwmotorcycletech.info/id-yr-codes-pwr.htm

Is it possible this was originally a non-US-spec bike?

Best,
DdeVern

What are the last seven digits on the paper title you got from the seller????

STEVENRANKIN said:

This is the location of my serial number on my 84 RT, it is not deep and perhaps if your bike has been painted or powder coated the numbers may be hard to see? St.
View attachment 85983

Click to expand...

I haven't checked there yet. I will today once I get it on the lift. Thanks!