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VIN# manufacture date?

6.7K views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  hopz  
#1 ·
How can you tell from the VIN# what date your K1200GT was built?

Thanks all
 
#4 ·
#5 ·
Falconfire said:
Okay, when I type in my last 7, it tells me that my '07GT is actually a K1200R that was made in April of 2004. Hmmm, something ain't right. :wtf
Vell...you obviously are mistaken. You haft ze 2004 K1200R. Pay no attention ze fact that dere vas no K1200R's in 2004. :teeth

Ok, the link works for older K bikes. No telling what is happening with the new K series...



 
#6 · (Edited)
Since I've had a lot of bits off my KRS I've found plenty of parts which have their date (including month) stamped on them. They all tied up close with the bikes VIN. Here's photos of the swingarm, rear drive, and inside the tranni (you won't see that on the bike). The bike is 1997/ 03. The swingarm is boneyard off a 2000/05 bike. The year mark is obvious, the month is one or other.

Of the three, markings in the inside of the rear drive should be accessible on the bike just above the torsion link fixing. The swingarm may need a mirror to see it as it's on the bottom of the cross tube section. There may be other places, even the wheels.

It's helpful to find a few if you're looking at buying a bike, just to see if the bike year ties in with some of the parts.



 

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#8 · (Edited)
This one declares to decode production month. It matches the month on the tag under the seat for both my 02 K1200RSs. Let us know it works for newer models and your 98.http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

When I was shopping for my latest K, I also used this site to compliment carfax. It doesnt decode manufacture date but it does decode year, color and model from VIN (if it was originally financed?): https://www.bmwgroupfs.com/CFALogin/AccountSetup.aspx