VIN number confusion. KX125 and KX250

[Shadow]

Hey, I wonder if anyone here could help me. I'm trying to check both of my bikes' year from the VIN but it doesn't work.

The VINs look like this:

JKAKX125LLAxxxxxx
JKAKX250LLAxxxxxx

10th digit is supposed to be the model year, but according to those VINs the bikes would be year '90 when they're both definitely from the '99-'02 era. I just can't figure out the specific year from them, they're both either L3 or L4, ie '01 or '02 though, as the service manual's procedures for L3/L4 models are the correct ones.

Both of them are European bikes, but those should still have the same digit for the year, right?

Not one online VIN decoder recognizes those VINs, kawasaki's own included.

[DoldGuy]

Post some pictures......should be able to tell "approximate" year by them.
DoldGuy

[sandblaster]

European VINS are completely different from US VINS.
The Engine ID's are the same.
KX125 http://oem-cycle.com/KX125KAWASAKIBIKEID.aspx
KX250 http://oem-cycle.com/KAWASAKIKX250BIKEID.aspx

[Shadow]

DoldGuy, um, did you read what I posted? I know they're either '01 or '02 but I can't find out which year. How much more accurately could you approximate the year for them from a picture than that? 


sandblaster, thanks for that, doesn't help much with the 125 though as all the 99-02 engines have LE00xxxx so again, there's no way to differentiate them.

as for the 250, well, turns out it has a wonky engine ID too.
It's KX250LE0|xxxx
I kid you not. That is not a number 1 but a long straight line and it's size is inconsistent with the numbers next to it..

 

IF that would be taken as a "1", then the bike would be an '00 or '01.

[DoldGuy]

Shadow,
Not trying to be an Arse, but........., I would not have replied without reading your post. You state you "Know" they are 01 or 02 models because of service procedures are for that model, care sharing what's different to confirm it's an 01 or 02? As the bikes of 99,00,01,02 are "Almost" Identical & most of the service procedures would be the same.

Just something to think on:

What carburetor do you have on the bike?
What type of wheels do you have on the bike?
What type of ignition do you have on the bike?
What number do you have on the cylinder of the bike?

These are just some indicators as to what year bikes you really have & yes pictures would tell me (& many others here) much more info than you posted, but since you "Know" they are 01 or 02 models my $.02 is not needed, so good luck!

DoldGuy

[81cr450]

Oh come on Doldguy dont just give the newb a good luck yet. HA HA HA HA

Pics man these guys need to "see" what you have to help. Free help from pro's. Is it really that hard to post pics. I'll help tell you how to post pics if you need & have a digital camera . Its like going to a shop that doesnt actually ride your bike to repair it, its just a guess  throwing parts at it. Where if they can ride it or "see" then its fact & not just a guess. What year is my good case DoldGuy sir please & thank you   # kx500be016478

Here's a pic,Thanks for the help as well, I'm a sucky picture taker so i hope you can see it

[Shadow]

Doldguy, ah think nothing of it, I'm just fairly sarcastic person. I do appreciate the help.

Yes, most procedures would be the same but for example the powervalve is different between 99-00 and 01-02 kx125s. Enough little things like that, actually every time the service manual gives different procedures, the L3/L4 has been the way to go while I've worked on the bikes.

I'll get the pics for you the next time I'm at the garage. Have to store the bikes some 10km from where I live so they aren't exactly next to my house.

[Joe Vegano]

Do You want decoder VIN number? I know good website. Use this tool: http://www.vin-location.com