D BRANDS ASIAN SERIAL NUMBER GUIDEĭIAMOND BACK (USA): See Fairly, N(1), U(1).ĭODSUN (Taiwan): Insufficient data, but format appears to be DSBM ymmxxxx(x) & DS ym mxxxx(x) based on limited small size.įEDERAL (Indonesia) Insufficient data but starts with FC. Identity unknown but since format turns up primarily on Zebfrakenko and Zebra, it may be Kenko. Inusffient data to determine if 3rd character is a fortnight or month indicator. C BRANDS ASIAN SERIAL NUMBER GUIDEĬENTURION (USA): See Fairly, Katakura, Matsu****a, Mikki, N(1), Tano, U(1).ĬENTURION (Germany): see Merida, Java Perdanaĭ(1) (Japan): D yFxxxxx or D yMxxxxx. The formats are easily confused with Miyata. Grant Peterson, who was designer for Bridgestone starting in the mid-1980s, has stated that the alpha character is a month indicator, however, apparent fortnight indicators a high as “T” have been seen as early as 1973. A BRANDS ASIAN SERIAL NUMBER GUIDEĪZUKI (USA): See Kawamura, Kuwahara, Giant. This number string is typically four to six characters in length but can vary. Xxxx indicates a numeric characters designating the sequential frame number within a the fortnight, month or year. Yy indicates two numeric characters designating the last two digits of the year (i.e. With such codes, you have to determine the decade based on frame characteristics, components, etc. Y indicates a numeric character designating the last digit of the year (i.e. Mm indicates two numeric characters designating the month (i.e. The specific convention will be listed under the manufacturer entry. The year that corresponds to a particular alpha character can vary significantly. Y indicates an alpha character designating the year. M indicates an alpha character designating the month (i.e. į indicates an alpha character designating the fortnight (i.e. All pre 1990 bicycles have the nationality in parentheses. Such is the case with Univega who had Miyata build their bicycles for them. In this case, you find that two brands may have the same serial number format. There were some brands that contracted other brands listed below to build their bikes for them.

He is pretty confident in the deciphering of these serial numbers and interpretations below and indicates the ones he is not sure of.

Tom is a well respected resource of bicycle history, especially those of the bicycle boom era. This Asian serial number guide Information was verified by owners and people involved in the industry. It was put together after many years of gathering information about serial numbers. Thanks to Tom Marshall (T-Mar) from Bikeforums for this information.Īccording to Tom Martin, this guide is “not necessarily comprehensive”.

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