For newbies.. How to find the frame stamped VIN on your "new" 1330cc Spyder

[mikthebik]

So you just bought your new (to you) dream Spyder and need to title it in California, or another state that requires verification of both the VIN number stamped into the frame AND the swing arm VIN label, or possibly just the frame VIN to be verified, along with the engine ID.

I was finally able to locate the frame stamped VIN on my 2015 F3S with the help of Jay Brosnan who found the frame VIN plate on his early RT. The location is the same for both F3 and RT. He described where to look and what it looked like in, detail through, some email exchanges. Thanks Jay!

How to find the stamped VIN:
For the early 1330cc RT and F3 model, you’ll likely not have an easy time finding the plate with a stamped VIN. The 2020 models are rumored, by some forum members to have an easy to find plate. If you don't have one of the very latest models, that has the VIN plate prominently displayed, this should help you find that hidden VIN plate rather easily. After searching for hours, literally, I decided to post some pics and instructions to make the task easy. I’ve seen a few posts that have explained where to find the bloody VIN tab, but they only made sense to me, a new owner, after I went through my own purgatory.

The F3 owner’s manual shows this location pic:

OM VIN location.jpg

The location shown for the frame stamp is accurate, but finding the small VIN plate is not that easy. Note, the location of the VIN is the same for both the 1330 F3 and RT.

On the F3, the small frame VIN plate, or tab, is directly behind the horn, attached to the frame behind the right front wheel. On the early RTs, before 2019, the horn was not on the right side, but the VIN location on the frame should be on the right for all the RTs. If there are differences on the more current models, please correct.

The following drawing from the 2015 F3 service manual shows removal of the right side protection panel to access the horn. The panel obscures the horn and VIN tag on the F3. There is a similar panel on the RT.

RtProtectionPanel.jpg

Below is the figure of the protection panel from the F3 parts manual. The vertical section obscures the horn and VIN tag. Three push pins and one torx screw hold the panel in place.

RightProtection Panel.jpg

Once removed, you should be able to view and access the horn plus the VIN plate behind the front wheel. Look in, and down, into the area forward of, and below the shock, toward the lower frame. Find the spot where the front of the lower A-arm attaches to the frame, and you’ll see the horn, with the VIN tag partially visible, behind it.

VIN3s.jpg

Remove the horn from its vertical bracket. That bracket is bolted to the frame underneath the VIN tag, and can be loosened then swung aside. That reveals the entire VIN plate. Cleaning the plate with a 3M green ScotchBrite pad and acetone make the number much easier to read. My DMV service came to the house to do the official VIN verification, which was easy(finally) with the Spyder on jackstands and the revealed VIN plate cleaned.

VINclean1.jpg

Now get it titled, registered and ridden!

[IGETAROUND]

Thank you for the great tutorial. Oh the many joys of living in Ca.

Al in Kazoo

[Deanna777]

So you just bought your new (to you) dream Spyder and need to title it in California, or another state that requires verification of both the VIN number stamped into the frame AND the swing arm VIN label, or possibly just the frame VIN to be verified, along with the engine ID.

I was finally able to locate the frame stamped VIN on my 2015 F3S with the help of Jay Brosnan who found the frame VIN plate on his early RT. The location is the same for both F3 and RT. He described where to look and what it looked like in, detail through, some email exchanges. Thanks Jay!

How to find the stamped VIN:
For the early 1330cc RT and F3 model, you’ll likely not have an easy time finding the plate with a stamped VIN. The 2020 models are rumored, by some forum members to have an easy to find plate. If you don't have one of the very latest models, that has the VIN plate prominently displayed, this should help you find that hidden VIN plate rather easily. After searching for hours, literally, I decided to post some pics and instructions to make the task easy. I’ve seen a few posts that have explained where to find the bloody VIN tab, but they only made sense to me, a new owner, after I went through my own purgatory.

The F3 owner’s manual shows this location pic:

OM VIN location.jpg

The location shown for the frame stamp is accurate, but finding the small VIN plate is not that easy. Note, the location of the VIN is the same for both the 1330 F3 and RT.

On the F3, the small frame VIN plate, or tab, is directly behind the horn, attached to the frame behind the right front wheel. On the early RTs, before 2019, the horn was not on the right side, but the VIN location on the frame should be on the right for all the RTs. If there are differences on the more current models, please correct.

The following drawing from the 2015 F3 service manual shows removal of the right side protection panel to access the horn. The panel obscures the horn and VIN tag on the F3. There is a similar panel on the RT.

RtProtectionPanel.jpg

Below is the figure of the protection panel from the F3 parts manual. The vertical section obscures the horn and VIN tag. Three push pins and one torx screw hold the panel in place.

RightProtection Panel.jpg

Once removed, you should be able to view and access the horn plus the VIN plate behind the front wheel. Look in, and down, into the area forward of, and below the shock, toward the lower frame. Find the spot where the front of the lower A-arm attaches to the frame, and you’ll see the horn, with the VIN tag partially visible, behind it.

VIN3s.jpg

Remove the horn from its vertical bracket. That bracket is bolted to the frame underneath the VIN tag, and can be loosened then swung aside. That reveals the entire VIN plate. Cleaning the plate with a 3M green ScotchBrite pad and acetone make the number much easier to read. My DMV service came to the house to do the official VIN verification, which was easy(finally) with the Spyder on jackstands and the revealed VIN plate cleaned.

VINclean1.jpg

Now get it titled, registered and ridden!

Also, check your Insurance ID or your Motorcycle Registration Cards, for the VIN number. Also check your "Bill of Sale"for the VIN number.
I have a 2014 RTS-SE6, the VIN number is on the swing arm.


Deanna

[mikthebik]

Deanna, Finding a record of the VIN on the swing arm and documents is easy, and not the point. To retitle a Spyder in California, and some other states, the DMV representative is REQUIRED to verify that the VIN stamped on the frame matches the one shown on the seller's title. They must fill out paperwork to record their verification. That's where the difficulty lies, finding the bloody thing on a 1330 Spyder.

[FrogmanDave]

Deanna, Finding a record of the VIN on the swing arm and documents is easy, and not the point. To retitle a Spyder in California, and some other states, the DMV representative is REQUIRED to verify that the VIN stamped on the frame matches the one shown on the seller's title. They must fill out paperwork to record their verification. That's where the difficulty lies, finding the bloody thing on a 1330 Spyder.

Same here in Kansas. They must see it and it has to be done at their facility (parking lot at the tag office).

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Here in Idaho an LEO can do the verification by checking the VIN on the swingarm label. One even came to my house to do it!

[mikthebik]

Luckily, here in Cali we have privately owned DMV services that are licensed to deal with the DMV. Most are owned by ex-DMV employees and know all the rules, regs and how to deal with the DMV employees, who typically do not. Barb’s Auto Registration is my go to expert and has helped me for years. Most will travel to your home, if needed. Some do that exclusively.

If you have to deal with a parking lot VIN inspection, best find and reveal the VIN tag, before hand. Even then, hopefully you’ll find an inspector flexible enough to be able to “get down” and view, or use the camera on a phone to avoid such contortions.

[cptjam]

Here it is on a 19 and older RT:
C9DECDB4-FCA8-4F76-A2FE-C7B842F40F22.jpg
Enlarge the picture to see. To find, kneel by the right front wheel. Follow the tie rod in. It is on the right. A strong light and good eyes will help! Rotate picture clockwise to put the a arm on the bottom.

[Deanna777]

Deanna, Finding a record of the VIN on the swing arm and documents is easy, and not the point. To retitle a Spyder in California, and some other states, the DMV representative is REQUIRED to verify that the VIN stamped on the frame matches the one shown on the seller's title. They must fill out paperwork to record their verification. That's where the difficulty lies, finding the bloody thing on a 1330 Spyder.

mikthebk: OK. I was only trying to help!


Now I know.


Deanna

[mikthebik]

mikthebk: OK. I was only trying to help!


Now I know.




Deanna

No worries.. ��