Danish bicycle VIN-system

Last updated
VIN from Ebsen Danmark A/S placed on the seat tube
(see also rotated version for readability) DNK bicycle VIN 02.jpg
VIN from Ebsen Danmark A/S placed on the seat tube
(see also rotated version for readability)

The Danish bicycle VIN-system is a system introduced in 1942 by the Danish government, providing all bicycles in Denmark with a unique code. The VIN code is a combination of letters and digits embedded into the bicycle frame and consists of a manufacturer code, a serial number, and construction year code.

Contents

Since 1948, it has been illegal [1] to sell bicycle frames in Denmark without an embedded VIN. Because of this, insurance companies in Denmark will not pay indemnities for stolen bicycles without a VIN. [2]

Location of the VIN

By default, the VIN is to be engraved into the seat tube or the down tube, but if these are made of such a material that hinders this, it may alternately be put on the bottom bracket shell. In very special instances, and only with the approval of the Danish National Police Commissioner’s Office, it may be applied by other means and on other locations. [1]

Components of the VIN

The bicycle VIN is constructed of three elements: a letter-block, a digit-block and a letter-block:

Block123
Description Manufacturers code Frame serial number Production year
Length1–4 (letters)1– (digits)1 (letter)
 
Example 1WDA1234Z
Example 2S57A

The manufacturers-code, is a 1, 2, 3 or 4-letter block. If the code starts with a W, it is an imported bicycle frame. The second block is the frame serial number from that manufacturer. This shall have at least one digit, but can otherwise have any number of digits. The third block is a single letter code that identifies the production year. Certain limits regarding letters are instated for the VIN: [3]

In the examples above, the first bicycle is a bicycle imported by FDB, with serial number 1234 and made in either 1963, 1984 or 2005. The second bike is an SCO bicycle, with serial number 57, made in 1942, 1964, 1985 or 2006.

Common manufacturer codes

This table shows examples of manufacturer codes, but is in no way to be considered a complete listing.


CodeManufacturer nameCodeManufacturer nameCodeManufacturer name
A–GH–PR–Å
AKCenturion (previously Åge Krøll)HNHede Nielsens Fabrikker A/SRDScandinavia Racing Discount
AR Raleigh (previously Vilhelm Nellemann A/S)IA1Ivan A HansenRECRecykel ApS
AVWinther cykler (alias Anders Winther A/S)IC2Ebsen Danmark A/SSI1Søgreni cykler
AZJørgensø ImportJEJupiterSSCO (alias Smith & Co)
BABanani (previously Bent A Nielsen)JKHJyde-Kompagniet A/SSSSCO (alias Smith & Co)
BLSCO bicycles sold in the Bilka supermarket chain (see also S)JWG3CykelbandittenSTEStangerup Efterfølgere
BKKildemoes (alias Børge Kildemoes)KM Motobecane SXSaxil cykler (also see BN)
BNSaxil Bicycles (SX until approx. 2000)LLSorte JernhestTU Trek
BTTaarnby a/sMBMBKTV Batavus
CC Christiania Bicycles (also Pedersen-cyklen)MRRitter ImportURUrania cykler
CGECykelgear.dkNNordisk Cykelfabrik A/SVIVIVA bikes
CKJensen cykler (alias C K Jensen)NHNihola Cykler ApSVEL Velorbis
CMMosquitoPAPedal-atletenVGGrebart cykler
CPHCPHBiKE ApSPD Steyr-Puch A/S   
CS Christiania BicyclesPFPeter From  
DAFDBPOLVIN provided by the police - usually for private import  
DBRockyPLCREATE  
DI1Dibbern CyklerPRPro Movec  
EEEgedesø (alias Everton)PSSchrøder cykler  
FAKFalconPYPython Pro  
GDTitania Cykler    
GRL. H. V. Grønning, Skibhusvej 146, Odense    
GW3G&W Cykler    


1: Even though I in general is not used, it appears that some brands are using it[ citation needed ].
2: Even though I in general is not used, Ebsen Danmark A/S bicycles are in fact using it in their manufacturercode (verified).
3: Even though W in general is not used, it appears that some brands are using it[ citation needed ].

Raleigh Variant

An example of a different manufacturers code system has been found on a 1954 Raleigh. In this example, the WAR prefix (W:Import,AR:Raleigh) is instead represented by WN with a smaller font BY. The WN section is a previously reported variant, presumed to be earlier than the AR listed above, but the extra BY stamped in a much smaller and different font is not. This BY stamp matches the frame number prefix stamped by Raleigh on the frame at the time of manufacture. That system (for export frames) was a rolling alphabetical progression which began at AA1 and ticked over to AB1 as the number reached AA99999. At AZ99999 it went to BA1 and so on. This progression reached BY in 1954. So, it is now quite clear that the BY variant in the Danish VIN serial was simply the prefix of the Raleigh stamped frame number, which at some point was abandoned in favour of the standard Raleigh code AR.

Production year identification codes

Please note that since this table was compiled, a Q has been found on a Raleigh frame made in March 1978. This obviously calls into question the entries for letters R to Z but also confirms the years for A to P are accurate.

ABCDEFGHJKLMNPQRSTUVXZ
1942194319441945194619471948194919501951195219531954195519561957195819591960196119621963
19641965196619671968196919701971197219731974197519761977-1978197919801981198219831984
198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005
200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle identification number</span> System for identifying vehicles

A vehicle identification number (VIN) (also called a chassis number or frame number) is a unique code, including a serial number, used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles, towed vehicles, motorcycles, scooters and mopeds, as defined by the International Organization for Standardization in ISO 3779 (content and structure) and ISO 4030 (location and attachment).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plate</span> Devices displaying a character string that uniquely identifies a particular vehicle.

A vehicle registration plate, also known as a number plate or license plate or licence plate, is a metal or plastic plate attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. All countries require registration plates for road vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Whether they are required for other vehicles, such as bicycles, boats, or tractors, may vary by jurisdiction. The registration identifier is a numeric or alphanumeric ID that uniquely identifies the vehicle or vehicle owner within the issuing region's vehicle register. In some countries, the identifier is unique within the entire country, while in others it is unique within a state or province. Whether the identifier is associated with a vehicle or a person also varies by issuing agency. There are also electronic license plates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Department of Defense aerospace vehicle designation</span> Designation scheme for aerospace systems in the U.S. Armed Forces

Joint Regulation 4120.15E: Designating and Naming Military Aerospace Vehicles is the current system for designating all aircraft, helicopters, rockets, missiles, spacecraft, and other aerial vehicles in military use by the United States Armed Forces.

The Italian vehicle registration plates are the compulsory alphanumeric plates used to display the registration mark of motor vehicles registered in Italy. They have existed in the country since 1897.

In Argentina, area codes are two, three, or four digits long. Local customer numbers are six to eight digits long. The total number of digits is ten, for example, phone number (11) 1234-5678 for Buenos Aires is made up of a 2-digit area code number and an 8-digit subscriber's number, while (383) 123-4567 would be an example of a Catamarca number.

Austrian car number plates are mandatory vehicle registration plates displaying the registration mark of motor vehicles in Austria. They are used to verify street legality, proof of a valid liability insurance and to identify and recognise the vehicle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aircraft registration</span> Registration and identification assigned to an individual aircraft by civil aviation authorities

An aircraft registration is a code unique to a single aircraft, required by international convention to be marked on the exterior of every civil aircraft. The registration indicates the aircraft's country of registration, and functions much like an automobile license plate or a ship registration. This code must also appear in its Certificate of Registration, issued by the relevant civil aviation authority (CAA). An aircraft can only have one registration, in one jurisdiction, though it is changeable over the life of the aircraft.

In New Zealand, vehicle registration plates contain up to six alphanumeric characters, depending on the type of vehicle and the date of registration. To be operated on any public road, most types of motor vehicles and trailers must be registered and display the corresponding registration plate(s). One plate must be affixed to the rear of the vehicle, and except in the case of a motorcycle, moped, tractor, or trailer, a second plate must be affixed to the front of the vehicle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Norway</span> Norway vehicle license plates

The registration plates of cars in Norway are maintained by the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications. As in most countries, cars are identified only by number plates read visually. Each plate is a legal document that both identifies the vehicle and permits its use, and shall be returned to the registration authority when the vehicle is no longer in use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Article Number</span> Standard barcode system used in global trade

The International Article Number is a standard describing a barcode symbology and numbering system used in global trade to identify a specific retail product type, in a specific packaging configuration, from a specific manufacturer. The standard has been subsumed in the Global Trade Item Number standard from the GS1 organization; the same numbers can be referred to as GTINs and can be encoded in other barcode symbologies defined by GS1. EAN barcodes are used worldwide for lookup at retail point of sale, but can also be used as numbers for other purposes such as wholesale ordering or accounting. These barcodes only represent the digits 0–9, unlike some other barcode symbologies which can represent additional characters.

In Sweden, vehicle registration plates are used for most types of vehicles. They have three letters first, a space and two digits and one digit or letter after. The combination is mostly a random number and has no connection with a geographic location. The last digit is used to show what month the vehicle tax has to be paid, and before 2018 it was also used to show what month the car had to undergo vehicle inspection. Vehicles like police cars, fire trucks, public buses and trolley buses use the same type of plate as normal private cars and cannot be directly distinguished by the plate alone. Military vehicles have special plates. Part of the vehicle data is public and can be retrieved online.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Star Model BM</span> Semi-Automatic Pistol

The Star Model BM is a single-action semi-automatic pistol that fires the 9 mm Parabellum pistol cartridge. It was produced by Star Bonifacio Echeverria, S.A. in Spain and is a compact version of the full size Star Model B. Although its external appearance resembles the classic M1911, its design is different in several respects. For example, the Star does not have the 1911's grip safety. In addition, the thumb safety on the Star BM blocks the hammer, whereas it blocks the motion of the sear on a 1911 and the Star's trigger pivots on a roll pin rather than moving straight back like a 1911A1's trigger to trip the sear. The pistol is fed by an 8-round detachable box magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vehicle registration plates of Denmark</span> Denmark vehicle license plates

Vehicle registration plates in Denmark normally have two letters and five digits and are issued by authorities. Plates can be obtained at authorized car dealers, vehicle inspection stations or official registration centers. The combination is simply a serial and has no connection with a geographic location, but the digits have number series based on vehicle type.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nishiki (bicycle company)</span> American bicycle brand name, not a bicycle company

Nishiki is a brand name of bicycle, not a bicycle company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Kingdom military aircraft registration number</span> Identification for United Kingdom military aircraft

United Kingdom military aircraft registration number is a specific aircraft registration scheme used to identify individual military aircraft in the United Kingdom (UK). All UK military aircraft are allocated and display a unique registration number. A unified registration number system, maintained initially by the Air Ministry (AM), and its successor the Air section of the Ministry of Defence, is used for aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF), Fleet Air Arm (FAA), and Army Air Corps (AAC). Military aircraft operated by government agencies and civilian contractors are also assigned registration numbers from this system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States military aircraft serial numbers</span>

In the United States, all military aircraft display a serial number to identify individual aircraft. These numbers are located on the aircraft tail, so they are sometimes referred to unofficially as "tail numbers". On the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit bomber, lacking a tail, the number appears on the nose gear door. Individual agencies have each evolved their own system of serial number identification. Aircraft serials are part of the Aircraft Visual Identification System, which also includes the aircraft's tail code and Modex.

The vehicle registration plates of Cyprus are composed of three letters and three digits. A simple incremental numbering system is used; numbers run from 001 to 999 per letter sequence (alphabetic), so that, for example, the plate to be issued after MAA 999 would be MAB 001. However, registrants may be allowed to choose a number from available numbers in the extant letter sequence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Postal codes in Germany</span>

Germany introduced postal codes on 25 July 1941, in the form of a two-digit system that was applied initially for the parcel service and later for all mail deliveries. This system was replaced in 1962 in West Germany by a four-digit system; three years later East Germany followed with its own four-digit system. Whereas the Federal Republic introduced a system with space left for the East German postal system after a possible reunification, such as by omitting all codes starting with '1' and '9', the German Democratic Republic had a system that used all codes starting from '1' to '9' just for East Germany.

Centurion was a brand of bicycles created in 1969 by Mitchell (Mitch) M. Weiner and Junya (Cozy) Yamakoshi, who co-founded Western States Import Co. (WSI) in Canoga Park, California to design, specify, distribute and market the bicycles. The bikes themselves were manufactured initially in Japan by companies including H. Teams Company of Kobe and later in Taiwan by companies including Merida. The Centurion brand was consolidated with WSI's mountain bike brand DiamondBack in 1990. WSI ceased operations in 2000.

The MIL-STD-1168 is a set of standard codes used to identify munitions. It was designed to replace the previous confusing Ammunition Identification Code (AIC) system used by the United States Army Ordnance Department.

References

  1. 1 2 "Lov nr. 135 af 23. marts 1948: Bekendtgørelse af lov om mærkning af cykelstel m.v." (in Danish). 1948-03-23. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  2. Lund, Preben (2011-06-12). "Demand for marking of stolen goods". DR Nyheder (in Danish). Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  3. Dansk Cyklist Forbund. "How to decode the bicycles age" (in Danish). Archived from the original on 2012-03-11. Retrieved 2011-07-07.