MK3 id plate numbering for US export

Hi there from Hobart Tasmania, I have a MK3 850 that was a US export, the red ID plate had been removed ( by others) to show the stamped serial number on the frame on the right hand as the plate covered nearly all the serial number, this must have been done in the factory as the paint under the plate is still factory mint, my problem is the plate is missing, all serial numbers match, I have purchased a new plate that was used for US export but for the life of me I can not find an example how the date was stamped, eg JAN 75 or 01 75 ect, any help would be most appreciated, the other odd thing after looking at posts on this site I checked the other side of the frame and found a five digit number that starts with 00###, not the other number that seems to make it an Italian frame, there is no "F" on the frame numbers, I measured the main tube @ 60mm, I have seen this may be an Italian made frame?? , sorry this is so long winded, again any thoughts would be greatly appreciated :mrgreen: Roscoe69

Roscoe69 said:

I have purchased a new plate that was used for US export but for the life of me I can not find an example how the date was stamped, eg JAN 75 or 01 75 ect,

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The date is stamped as: "7 75" on my Mk.3's plate, but is not a US export model.

Roscoe69 said:

I checked the other side of the frame and found a five digit number that starts with 00###,

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Yes, that 5-digit number beginning "00" is often found stamped on the headstock in the area underneath the plate, and it seems to have been a factory or frame maker's inspection or production marking of some description and nothing to do with the actual frame number.

Roscoe69 said:

there is no "F" on the frame numbers, I measured the main tube @ 60mm, I have seen this may be an Italian made frame??

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Not all 850 Mk.3 frames have the "850 F" or "850 F1" frame number, some frames are stamped with the same 6-digit number (prefixed by 850) as plate (engine and gearbox).

Thanks L.A.B. the plot thickens, I have no 850 as a prefix anywhere, and I have checked my serial number to suggest Jan 75

Roscoe69 said:

I have no 850 as a prefix anywhere, and I have checked my serial number to suggest Jan 75

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Does the number have the "limit" stamps (three parallel lines in a circle) at each end ?

Example:

canadiancopper71 said:

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only shows on the gearbox and crank case, start and finish of each serial number and not on frame serial

Roscoe69 said:

only shows on the gearbox serial and no where else?

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Perhaps the frame was changed sometime in the bike's past, then? Does it have the usual Mk.3 features such as the lengthened shock plates for the hinged Mk.3 seat and seat lock?
A Mk.3 frame would normally have the part number 06-5632 stamped on the front face of the left hand fuel tank mounting bracket.

yes the frame has the seat hinge bracket and usual features, I might not have been clear describing the locations of the frame serial numbers, the id plate was on the right hand side of the steering stem and if you line up the rivet holes you can see it would have covered the stamped number by 2/3rds and on the left side the other five digit number is where I think your frame part number shows, my number is 00138 ?

oops you can see I,m a novice on forum site, I edited the reply where I state only on the gear box but checked the crank case number which do have the limit stamps, but again not on the frame serial

Roscoe69 said:

yes the frame has the seat hinge bracket and usual features, I might not have been clear describing the locations of the frame serial numbers, the id plate was on the right hand side of the steering stem and if you line up the rivet holes you can see it would have covered the stamped number by 2/3rds and on the left side the other five digit number is where I think your frame part number shows, my number is 00138 ?

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Well, the lack of 850 prefix and limit marks on the frame (and no F1 number for January '75) is somewhat unusual, some frames have the plate over to the right and others have it over to the left, however, as the plate would mostly cover the number then I wouldn't be too concerned about it, and the unknown 00138 number (the last three digits vary between frames) can be ignored.

http://atlanticgreen.com/commandoframes.htm

Just to be clear about the frame part number, that is stamped on the front face of the LH fuel tank bracket, not the stem.

bingo, after lots of paint removal I now have found the 65632 part number just as you had described L.A.B. , many thanks to you its made me feel better, I just want to do this bike justice as it was in an appalling state, 16'' back wheel rim .......... all the horrible stuff people can do for a look, best regards from Roscoe69 :lol:

I have a 75 MKIII US "export". Seeing that I live in the US it only makes sense. I just checked my plate and head stock. The head stock has 850 F1 *****
The "red" plate is riveted straight on behind the headlight. It "reads" from the drive side, left being down. The serial number is closest to the drive side and the date of manufacture is at the top, or timing side. On my bike it reads 4 75. There is about a half an inch gap between the 4 and the 7.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Cameron