wgsvintage
This VIN decoder was posted on the ducati.org forum in 2011 if it helps.
Bill
Ducati US Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Post-1980 US models and post-2002 non-US models have a 17-character VIN as follows:
Characters 1-3: World Manufacturer Identifier
Z = Italy
D = Ducati
M = Motorcycle ( i.e. ZDM = Ducati)
Vehicle Descriptor Section
The 4th through 8th positions in the VIN are the Vehicle Descriptor Section or VDS. This is used, according to local regulations, to identify the vehicle type and may include information on the platform used, the model, and the body style. Each manufacturer has a unique system for using this field.
Character 4: Motorcycle Type
1 = street version
2 = dual purpose version
3 = off-highway racing version
Character 5: Motorcycle Model
D = (example: 1987 Paso 748)
G = (example: 1987 750 F1 Laguna Seca)
H = homologation model
K = (example: 1990 750 Sport)
L = supersport
M = (example: 1992 Paso 9071e)
N = (example: 1993 750SS)
P = (example: 1995 E900 Elefant)
S = hypersport/superbike
R = monster,
T = sport touring
U = 9X9 series
V = Multistrada
W = GT1000
Character 6: Engine Type
A = air-cooled twin
B = liquid-cooled twin
C = air/oil-cooled twin
7 = race model variations
9 = race model variation
Character 7: Engine Displacement
1 = (examples: none)
2 = 600cc (examples: 620SS)
3 = 750cc (examples: Paso 748, 750 Sport, 750SS, 748/R, Monster 750, 749)
3 = Australian 1996 900SS
4 = 900cc (examples: 900SS, M900e Mike Hailwood)
5 = (examples: 996, 998, 999, ST4S)
6 = (examples: 851)
7 = (examples: 888 SPO)
8 = (examples: 916, Monster S4, Monster 1000)
9 = (examples: 996R)
0 = (examples: Mike Hailwood Mille 1000)
B = (examples: GT1000 (992cc))
Character 8: Net Brake Horsepower
The following examples are for US models except where noted.
H = (examples: 1990 750 Sport)
K = (examples: 1999 750SS, 2003 620SS)
L = (examples: 1995 E900 Elefant, 1998 Monster 750)
M = (examples: 1993 750SS, 1987 750 F1 Laguna Seca)
N = (examples: 1987 Paso 748, 1992 Paso 907ie, 1992 900SS, 1994 Monster 900, 1999 900SS, 2002 MH900e Mike Hailwood)
P = (examples: 1998 ST2, 2003 Monster 1000, 2004 Multistrada)
R = (examples: Mille 1000 Mike Hailwood, 1990 851, 1993 888SPO, 1998 748/S)
S = (examples: 1995 916, 2002 Monster S4, 2000 748R, 2003 749)
T = (examples: 1988 851 Tri-Color Racer, 2000 996/S, 2002 ST4S, 2003 999)
V = (examples: 1998 916SPS, 2000 996SPS, 1999 998/998S, 2003 999S)
Character 9: Check Digit
A calculated number that is used to verify the validity of the VIN.
A single number or the letter X only.
Character 10: Model Year Code
9 = 1979
A = 1980
B = 1981
C = 1982
D = 1983
E = 1984
F = 1985
G = 1986
H = 1987
J = 1988
K = 1989
L = 1990
M = 1991
N = 1992
P = 1993
R = 1994
S = 1995
T = 1996
V = 1997
W = 1998
X = 1999
Y = 2000
1 = 2001
2 = 2002
3 = 2003
4 = 2004
5 = 2005
6 = 2006
7 = 2007
8 = 2008
9 = 2009
Character 11: Manufacturing Plant Code
B = Bologna Italy
V = Varese Italy (the old MV factory)
Characters 12-17: Production Number (six-digit sequential)
Mr.R
All the UK 851's that I've seen have ZDM851S3*-------* and underneath there's the part number of the frame that's something like DGM-----
The factory did use the dot matrix instread of number/letter stamps though IIRC?
It's cold and I've just come in from my workshop ( I've been working on my 900SS Bevel and cooking the family supper now), but I'll check again for you tomorrow chap.
Steve R
brad black
they stamped the vin differently for different parts of the world. we got euro bikes with plates welded to the frames over the euro vin with the au vin, which is similar to the usa one shown, but not exactly the same.
dots look normal to me.
