175 bridgestone frame number

[hotshoe44s]

b1966 bridgestone 175 :   I was looking at the serial number chart that is on this site and it says that the frame number starts with a 16. I am looking at a bike that has a Ta1- frame number . can someone tell me what ta1 means  ?? also where is the motor number located ? thx in advance for your help

[scrambler]

You need to look at the tag number located on the right side just in front of the upper shock mount.

TA1 is the prefix for the frame and engine numbers.

Bridgestones usually have 3 numbers. The frame number, the engine number, and the tag number.

[hotshoe44s]

I can only find the ta1-4442 number stamped on frame neck on the right side.. where are the other two located ?? doe the engine and frame numbers match on Bridgestones?

[scrambler]

Engine and frame number do not match but are usually within a couple hundred.

[ztnoo]

Kevin,
So which number is used for the legal purposes of titling and registering a Bridgestone?
Is it the tag number which in used as the VIN?
Regards,
Steve

[scrambler]

I have bikes titled with any of them. Maybe it depended on the person or state that was doing it. I would say that most of them are titled by the tag number though.

[ztnoo]

Huummm.
Seems like kind of a strange system. Why would there be the need for a third number?
Typically frame and motor numbers match, but not in all cases. But why would you ever need a third number on a bike to identify it legally?
Here in Indiana the VIN is always the frame number which on most Japanese bikes is typically located on the head tube.
That's the legal deal here. That's the number that goes on the title.
You could interchange 6 different motors on that frame and completely change all other parts, but that vehicle would always be legally what the frame number is.
That's part of the reason I occasionally see frame for sale ads where the owner emphasizes he has a title to it. It's a bit of a sales positive.
If you have a matching title and frame number, you have the basis for a total rebuild to register and plate, if that what someone's inclination would be.
If you have a frame here, but no title to it, you're essentially screwed as far as titling, registering, and plating a street bike. It's a huge expensive hassle to get around that in Indiana.

Regards,
Steve

[scrambler]

Since about the mid-70's all bikes that I have seen were titled to the frame number. Before that I have seen many bikes of all brands titled to the engine number here in Wisconsin. I have titled them in my name and never had a problem. They have to do it. If the title you have in hand matches the engine number they really don't have a choice the way I see it. Titles matching the engine number is a pretty common occurrence in the Harley-Davidson world I'm told.

I don't think any of the Bridgestones I own have matching frame and engine numbers. Early Yamahas have matching numbers. Brit bikes usually do. I know Honda don't.

[BS Mechanic]

As long as one of the three numbers matches what you have on the title, I would not expect any problem. 

(Unless you are unlucky enough to run into a public official who just wants an excuse to ruin your day!) 

[hotshoe44s]

got it .. thx everything is cool ... Thanks for your help..

[OldSwartout]

Here in Indiana the VIN is always the frame number which on most Japanese bikes is typically located on the head tube.
That's the legal deal here. That's the number that goes on the title.

That is true today, but was not in the 60's/70's.  The Certificate of Origin supplied with Bridgestones from Rockford had the tag number from the tag near the right shock on them and the COA was what the dealer gave you to take to the license branch to get your title, so that number was what was on the title.  There were plenty of COA's around without numbers on them, so some of them may have had the frame number placed on them by the dealer instead.  All the Indiana Bridgestone titles I have (5 or 6), have the tag number on them.