Construction of Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

The information contained on this page came from the Honda PC800 Motorcycle Parts Microfiche.
Please note that although there is non-PC800 motorcycle related information on this page, my only detailed knowledge concerns the PC800.
Please do NOT contact me with questions on other vehicles and/or other vehicle types. I will most likely NOT be able to help you.
 Thank you for understanding.
 

_______ World_Manufacturer_Identifier_(WMI)______________ Vehicle_Descriptor_Section_(VDS)_ _____________________ ________________ ______________________________ Vehicle_Indicator_Section_(VIS)__
Example: JH2 RC340 ? R M 200102
| | | | | | Sequential Production Number
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|		 | For the PC800: 
| RC340 = 49 state model
| RC341 = California model
| RC342 = non-US (Canadian and
|   European model)
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|		 | Plant Representation
 A = Ohio factory in USA
 B = Aalst factory in Belgium
 C = Saitama factory in Japan
 D = Guadalajara factory in Mexico
 E = Montesa factory in Spain
 F = Atessa factory in Italy
 K = Kumamoto factory in Japan
 M = Hamamatsu factory in Japan
 R = Manaus factory in Brazil
 S = Suzuka factory in Japan
 T = Tochigi factory in Japan		 Note that for the PC800, the first digit is also the relative year of manufacture:
0 = 1989
1 = 1990
2 = 1994
3 = 1995
4 = 1996
5 = 1997
6 = 1998
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|		 | Model Year
 B = 1981
 C = 1982
 D = 1983
 E = 1984
 F = 1985
 G = 1986
 H = 1987
 J = 1988
 K = 1989
 L = 1990
 M = 1991
 N = 1992
 P = 1993
 R = 1994
 S = 1995
 T = 1996
 V = 1997
 W = 1998
 X = 1999
(I, O, Q, U not used)
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|		 | Check Digit
 This code is used to detect errors in the VIN and consists of a single digit number (0-9) or a letter "X".  It has no direct bearing on the VDS and VIS.
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|		 | Vehicle Description Code
 For example:
RC040 = CB750F
NC030 = CB400T
| Make and type of vehicle
 JH2 = Honda motorcycle manufactured in Japan)
 1HF = Honda motorcycle (manufactured in USA)
 YC1 = Honda motorcycle (manufactured in Belgium)
 9C2 = Honda motorcycle (manufactured in Brazil)
 3H1 = Honda motorcycle (manufactured in Mexico)
 VTM = Honda motorcycle (manufactured in Spain)
 ZDC = Honda motorcycle (manufactured in Italy)
 JH3 = Honda ATV (manufactured in Japan)
 478 = Honda ATV (manufactured in USA)

Note that the above example is generic and applies to 1981 and newer vehicles only.  1980 and older models are referred to as "Frame Numbers" and consist of the model designation followed by a sequential number.

If you have PC800 related questions on this page, please contact Leland Sheppard