08a. Machine Registrar (Simon Dinsdale) and Machine Researcher (Jonathan Lambley)

Why not consult our Machine Registrar and Machine Researcher if you want to find about a bike that you own, or are thinking of buying?

For any queries related to registration, engine numbers, frame numbers or buying a Vincent motorcycle, the only Club Officials who have access to all the Factory (Works) Records up to 1954 (including dispatch records) and worldwide ownership details gathered by the Vincent H.R.D. Owners Club since 1948 are the Machine Registrar and Machine Researcher.

Never rely on Certificates of Authenticity or Dating Certificates issued years ago, nor information provided by sellers. You should always satisfy yourself that you know what you're buying before you bid/buy. Always do your own due diligence.

If you want to know whether a machine is 'as it left the factory' or you require a certificate for UK DVLA purposes, please get in touch with the Machine Registrar and Machine Researcher. (Please note that in some cases there may be a fee.)

For details of where to find the relevant numbers on your machine, please scroll to the bottom of this page…
If you are enquiring about a motorcycle, please provide as much information as possible…
Engine number located on left side of engine…
Twin cylinder crankcase mating number located between the cylinder barrels. Single cylinder crankcase mating number located behind the cylinder barrel
UFM frame number located on left side of the headstock…
RFM frame number located on left side in front of the rear wheel spindle…
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The following photographs show where to find the various numbers on a Vincent or H.R.D. Motorcycle.

Not all Vincents made since 1946 follow the usually quoted difference rule between engine and frame numbers, so don't assume what's listed on various websites is correct.

The only way of checking what numbers a machine left the factory with is by checking the Vincent Factory Records.



The engine number is stamped on the crankcase just below the VINCENT or H.R.D. wording.
eng_no_small.jpg



The crankcase mating numbers on a Twin cylinder machine are stamped BETWEEN the cylinders, on both halfs of the crankcases.
The crankcase mating numbers on a Single cylinder machine are stamped BEHIND the cylinder, on both halfs of the crankcases.

twin_c_case_no_small.jpg
single_c_case_no_small.jpg



The Upper Frame Member (UFM) number is stamped on the steering head - the number in this position is the number used by the DVLA (UK) for all official records (MOT and Registration documents).

The Rear Frame Member (RFM) number is stamped on the left hand side near the wheel spindle.

ufm_no_small.jpg
rfm_no_small.jpg
What was Mr Vincent's Christian Name?
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