Matching numbers ?

[migas1]

Dear Sirs
I’m looking to buy a sandcast, but I’m in doubt if numbers match:
Frame is 1434
Engine is 1398
Shouldn’t engine number be higher than frame ?
Regards

[markb]

Not necessarily. If you click on the link to the VIN directory below you will see that there are plenty of examples of engine numbers lower than frame numbers.
http://cb750sandcastonly.com/new/vin_directory.html
In fact frame 1434 is listed but with E1348. Maybe a typo or misread number?

[migas1]

Hi
I finally had confirmation about engine number, which is exactly E1898. Knowing that frame number is 1434, isn’t it a big difference between them to be matching numbers ?
Thanks

[Steve Swan]

Hi
I finally had confirmation about engine number, which is exactly E1898. Knowing that frame number is 1434, isn’t it a big difference between them to be matching numbers ?
Thanks

not necessarily.

[markb]

Do you have photos of the numbers? I'm curious why the directory shows E1348 with frame 1434. Could just be a simple mistake.

[migas1]

Dear Mark
Here you have. What do you say ?
Thanks

[Sam]

I think you will need a better pic of the engine number. The typeface used for the engine numbers can sometimes be difficult to read when at an extreme angle like this.

[kp]

I did an exercise some years ago and counted the numbers of lower and higher engine numbers to frame number and there is certainly no hard and fast rule around engine number needing to be higher.
A recent count of our website registrations is as follows.
Total complete registrations = 432 = 6%
Number of higher Engine # to Frame # = 267 = 62%
Number of lower Engine # to Frame # = 165 = 38%
*All the incomplete registrations removed
*Obvious frame/engine changes have been included ie: Sandcast frame with a Diecast engine/major difference between frame and engine numbers.
*The French Sandcast numbers haven't been included
Is a sample of 6% of estimated total production a good indication? I think so as we are only asking the question "is a lower engine number to frame number uncommon" and as Mark said: not necessarily.

[migas1]

Thank you for the information. In the meantime I have confirmation about numbers: E1898 and  frame 1434. Even if, like in most cases, engine is higher than  frame number, aren’t those too faraway from each other  ?

[kp]

Hi Maguel
Can I ask you a few questions. Have you actually seen this bike in real time as something doesn't sit right. Insist on the seller sending you a very close up photo of that engine number as I would bet my left nut that the number is 1398. The second number IMHO is a 3 so I suspect somebody else own's this bike rather than the seller, else they would send a photo of the said number to clear up any confusion. If the price of the bike is too good to be true then I suspect a scam. Be very careful as there are many out there trying to make a buck from scamming unsuspecting people. Beware!
I would need to know a lot more about this bike before I would part with $1

[Wayne]

Is the seller in Portland by any chance?

[migas1]

Hi
Thank you for helping me. The bike is being sold in the UK, although it was imported from the USA. I will recheck the engine number with the seller
Regards

[DW69K0]

I agree with KP, when the photo of the engine number is viewed on large screen it is a 3 not an 8. The engine number appears to be 1398. IMHO.
DW

[migas1]

Dear all, you were correct ! Seller just informed me that engine number is 1398 !