How can you tell if the engine is original?

DrDonnyBrago · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Karma :

How can you tell if the engine in a bike is the one it was 'born' with?

Should the number stamped on the engine and that stamped on the frame match up?

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

As above. Depends on the make and also the market. Some bikes don't have an engine number (Japanese market Yamahas for example never had engine numbers), and sometimes they were stamped in the UK (old Moto Morinis left the factory without engine numbers but were stamped in the UK to match the chassis).

All the best

Keith
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DrDonnyBrago · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Karma :

Cheers, does that mean that you basically can't tell then?

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

Freaky_1 · Nova Slayer Joined: 12 May 2010 Karma :

Run numbers for production date.

Honda = within 1 month head stamp date up to the mid 90s, then within 3 months to date. Greater time frame = non original (except in odd cases that have been reported here and there).

Yamaha = Don't know yet. lol sorry.

Suzuki = (to the best we've been able to determine) within 1 month from start to current.

Kawasaki = Call your Kawasaki dealer with the numbers. If they're worth much, they can tell you if the two numbers could have been mated from the factory.

That said, it's not a given. If it falls outside of the time frames, it's a safe bet it's been swapped. Nothing saying it couldn't have been swapped with a number that would fit in the range though.

Don't know on any other brands, this info came from some ppl who are members of the Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Owners Group, and is not my own.

HTH,
Frank

EDIT: Didn't think about the V5 angle. Plus I'm a slow typist. lol

DrDonnyBrago · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jan 2010 Karma :

Cheers guys, reason I asked is that I found some random letters hand scratched onto my engine (not near the engine number). Got me curious as to what they were, perhaps something from a breakers yard etc. I don't have any reason to suspect that the engine has been swapped but I'd be interested to see if I can check.

It's a Honda so I will try what Freaky_1 said Thumbs Up

.

Thanks.

Walloper · Super Spammer Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Karma :