B50T. . Engine number

[Paulojmoore]

Hi, Ive got a B50T. And the engine number has no date code,  it says b50T/ . . 00223, . There's space for letters but non there! I'm positive it's a genuine stamp as it has the small bsa logos on the back ground.  The frame has been heavily powder coated so I can't find the chassis number.  Any help appriciated

[JulianS]

It would be an early 1972 season engine, from around August 1971 because the 1971 season B50 production did not start until April/May 1971 with numbers in the ten thousands.

OIL in frame numbers are usually quite faint stampings and use of powder coat soon clogs the numbers making them unreadable. You will not know what the frame is from until you remove the powder coat and find the number.

[Paulojmoore]

Thanks for the reply,  from what I've read bsa didn't start using the bsa background logo until summer 1972.. But that's only what I've read on forums. . What could be the reason for not haven't dating letters?

[JulianS]

No way of knowing why not. Could be it was not stamped correctly when new or could be that it is a replacement case also not stamped properly. But just speculation.

If the bike is not yet on DVLA and if you wish to register it the important thing is to find the frame number.

[beesa71]

It should be JG date coded.

Let us know what you find on the headstock.

What's the known 'history' of the bike?

Paul.

[Paulojmoore]

I bought the bike from a guy I know who bought it from Arthur Lampkin, apparently Arthur owned it for more than 30 years. I know it's genuine as I've found a picture of him with the bike.

[beesa71]

Sounds good.

Found anything on the headstock?

Paul.

PS; 'pm' me if it helps.

[beesa71]

Forgot to ask, can you share the picture of AL with us please.

Paul.

[beesa71]

Anything to add yet?

Paul.

[Paulojmoore]

Here is a picture of Arthur with the bike

[Paulojmoore]

I've scraped of the power coat around the headstock but there's no number..

[JulianS]

The earliest B25 OIF had the number on the prop stand lug. Might be worth checking there.

[Paulojmoore]

Hi, the lugs have been cut off..

[brians]

Just been reading through some threads and this one jumped out as I also have a frame with no identifiable frame number.

I realise this is an old thread but I really would like to know what transpired here.

What did you do Paulojmoore to resolve the lack of frame number please?

Is it possible to get another frame number issued by the BSAOC or DVLA to allow the bike to be registered?

[JulianS]

A VIN number can only be issued by the DVLA.

If they issue one they would only issue as part of the registration process of a complete assembled machine. They would not issue to a bare frame.

Whether they treat it as a reconstructed classic and you get an age relate or whether they would issue a "Q" plate will depend on the circumstance of the machine.

New VINs are all 17 characters long formulated as in this extract from a 2013 DVLA letter;

"New DVLA VIN format

From 1 October, as part of the centralisation process the current format for DVLA vehicle identification numbers changed to reflect that they are issued centrally rather than by an individual local office.

The new format will replace the SABTVRO ; DVLASWA 397 13(year) 146(Julian date) 02(issue number)

1. The first 7 characters SABTVRO have been replaced with DVLASWA.

2. The Local Office number will be fixed as 397 (Swansea Local Office Code)

3. The next two digits will indicate the year of registration i.e.13.

4. Followed by the current date on the Julian calendar i.e.146

5. The final two digits will be the issue number for that day and will start at 01."

If you have a complete machine I suggest that you write to the BSAOC Dating Officer giving full details of the machine and enclose photos and a stamped envelope and ask for advice how to proceed.