Question about Vin #

[bottomsupduckclub]

Just purchased a 1980 Liquifire. The problem I have is that the VIN # doesn't appear to match up with what it should. Mine read as follows: J44LM 222708M

Can anyone verify that this is a 1980 & not a 1983 like I think it could be.

Thanks in advance, Dave

[smitfire]

that is an 83 number

http://jdsleds.com/models/liquifire2/liq2.html

[JD600]

Solid rubber or cleated track?

DE

[bottomsupduckclub]

Solid rubber track. Are there some other indicators that I can look for? I had a friend check it over, he says everthing else is 1980, not 1983. It appears that the tunnel may have been replaced, although it was painted black & has the 1980 stickers on it as well. Thanks for all the help

[AirborneX4Special]

That is an 83 by VIN. Look for: Rectangular headlight, glove box door latch, powder paint handlebars, hinged guage cluster housing, grease fittings on the LH front axle bearing flange & steering post. Is it painted like an 80? The glove box latch knob had 4 " tips " in 82 - 83, sort of a cross - like affair.

Pat

[lwb140]

what about the tr800 and the trick ignition box that site atop the bell housing ?? whatever its called

[AirborneX4Special]

Yep. Forgot about those. It's the HSR or Kokusan ignition system.

[bottomsupduckclub]

I know it doesn't have the tr800 clutch for sure. I'll check the other items tomorrow & post what i find.

[JoeRainville]

Solid rubber track. Are there some other indicators that I can look for? I had a friend check it over, he says everthing else is 1980, not 1983. It appears that the tunnel may have been replaced, although it was painted black & has the 1980 stickers on it as well. Thanks for all the help

Hi Jerry,

What parts make your friend say it's an 80 vs an 83? Paint and decals can be changed. Look for the wide belt secondary and its 44 deg helix and TR800 replacement 108 vs the older 'narrow belt' 102-C and it's 38 deg helix on the driven.

Like the guys said, the square headlight, zerk fitting on the inner flange of left side of the drive axle, square HRS CDI/Coil box on top of the recoil are all good clues. Longer or shorter rear suspension arm too. You might have a "franken Deere" but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing if it was put together right. Pic's would be a huge help too!

I hope this helps,
-Joe

[bottomsupduckclub]

Ok, this machine has a square headlight, no latch on the glove box, handle bars are chrome not painted & the gauge cluster does pivot. My photo's are to large, so if someone would care to check them out i'd be happy to email them to you directlly. I'm betting that someone crashed this machine years ago and had it repaired at the dealer, it itsn't a hack job by any means.

[AirborneX4Special]

Sounds mostly 80 - 81. Does the guage housing pivot on a hinge or does it have a clamp deal fastened on the support tubing? The 80/81's had separate CDI and coil components, while 82 and up had a composite box bolted on the mag housing where the separate coil would sit. Does it have a speed limiter? If so, where is it? It's a small black plastic rectangle with 1 or 2 wires attached, depending on the vintage.

[bottomsupduckclub]

Guages pivot on a clamp type system onto the tubing. Right not i can't anser where the coils are mounted, it does have th limiter mounted to the bulkhead kinda under one of the carbs. I'm betting it's all 80 with a 83 tunnel.

[AirborneX4Special]

I think you are right. That clamp thing was only on 1980 models. It was cheaper to manufacture but not terribly reliable or user friendly.