Is the frame no. right ?

[xz550uk]

Hi All.

I have a 550 which I need to replace the frame. I have a donor one but im suspect about the number as the documents say it starts with a 3 and the frame looks like it starts with an 8 . Is this just a 3 looking like an 8 or is there something dodgy going on ?  Did they sell more than 8k in Europe? Please help .....thanks all....

[Jimustanguitar]

Is that the only number that's different? Both numbers are the same length and it's not a leading digit to indicate frame number vs engine number or something silly like that?

It seems like the ones at the beginning would be the make and year and country, and the ones at the end would be the unique ones...

I'd look it up in the manual, there's a VIN decoder in them most of the time.

[Sable]

Sometimes on VINs, the 8 has a flat top that make it look odd, and also like a 3 if the paint is faded or the frame is corroded around the numbers. I have seen this on other import bikes.

[Rick G]

Sable . we have not seen you here in a long while ! Welcome back!

[Sable]

Thanks Rick, I've been lurking for the past few months.. my V  was in storage for the last 8 years while living in a condo.. now that I am in a house, I have a garage to work on her and get her running again. Just gonna be a few more weeks before I get everything unpacked and out of the garage!

~John