The Danish bicycle VIN-system is a system introduced in 1942 by the Danish government, providing all bicycles in Denmark with a unique code. The VIN code is a combination of letters and digits embedded into the bicycle frame and consists of a manufacturer code, a serial number, and construction year code.
Since 1948, it has been illegal to sell bicycle frames in Denmark without an embedded VIN. Because of this, insurance companies in Denmark will not pay indemnities for stolen bicycles without a VIN.
Location of the VIN By default, the VIN is to be engraved into the seat tube or the down tube, but if these are made of such a material that hinders this, it may alternately be put on the bottom bracket shell. In very special instances, and only with the approval of the Danish National Police Commissioner’s Office, it may be applied by other means and on other locations.
Components of the VIN The bicycle VIN is constructed of three elements: a letter-block, a digit-block and a letter-block:
Block123DescriptionManufacturers codeFrame serial numberProduction yearLength1–4 (letters)1–∞ (digits)1 (letter) Example 1WDA1234ZExample 2S57A
The manufacturers-code, is a 1, 2, 3 or 4-letter block. If the code starts with a W, it is an imported bicycle frame. The second block is the frame serial number from that manufacturer. This shall have at least one digit, but can otherwise have any number of digits. The third block is a single letter code that identifies the production year. Certain limits regarding letters are instated for the VIN: I is omitted as it can be confused with 1 (one) O is omitted as it can be confused with 0 (zero) Y is omitted as it can be confused with V W is omitted, to avoid confusion with the manufacturer code (where W is reserved for imported frames)
In the examples above, the first bicycle is a bicycle imported by FDB, with serial number 1234 and made in either 1963, 1984 or 2005. The second bike is an SCO bicycle, with serial number 57, made in 1942, 1964, 1985 or 2006.
Common manufacturer codes This table shows examples of manufacturer codes, but is in no way to be considered a complete listing.
CodeManufacturer nameCodeManufacturer nameCodeManufacturer nameA–GH–PR–ÅAKCenturion (previously Åge Krøll)HNHede Nielsens Fabrikker A/SRDScandinavia Racing DiscountARRaleigh (previously Vilhelm Nellemann A/S)IA1Ivan A HansenRECRecykel ApSAVWinther cykler (alias Anders Winther A/S)IC2Ebsen Danmark A/SSI1Søgreni cyklerAZJørgensø ImportJEJupiterSSCO (alias Smith & Co)BABanani (previously Bent A Nielsen)JKHJyde-Kompagniet A/SSSSCO (alias Smith & Co)BLSCO bicycles sold in the Bilka supermarket chain (see also S)JWG3CykelbandittenSTEStangerup EfterfølgereBKKildemoes (alias Børge Kildemoes)KMMotobecaneSXSaxil cykler (also see BN)BNSaxil Bicycles (SX until approx. 2000)LLSorte JernhestTUTrekBTTaarnby a/sMBMBKTVBatavusCCChristiania Bicycles (also Pedersen-cyklen)MRRitter ImportURUrania cyklerCGECykelgear.dkNNordisk Cykelfabrik A/SVIVIVA bikesCKJensen cykler (alias C K Jensen)NHNihola Cykler ApSVELVelorbisCMMosquitoPAPedal-atletenVGGrebart cyklerCPHCPHBiKE ApSPDSteyr-Puch A/SWTRITriobikeCSChristiania BicyclesPFPeter From DAFDBPOLVIN provided by the police - usually for private import DBRockyPLCREATE DI1Dibbern CyklerPRPro Movec EEEgedesø (alias Everton)PSSchrøder cykler FAKFalconPYPython Pro GDTitania Cykler GRL. H. V. Grønning, Skibhusvej 146, Odense GW3G&W Cykler
1: Even though I in general is not used, it appears that some brands are using it. 2: Even though I in general is not used, Ebsen Danmark A/S bicycles are in fact using it in their manufacturer code (verified). 3: Even though W in general is not used, it appears that some brands are using it.
Raleigh WN Variant Two examples of the WN prefix (which denotes "Nordisk Cyklfabrik A/S") have been found so far on Raleigh branded models. Because Raleigh had a long standing policy of shipping out frames to distribution centres in export territories where they would be then built into complete bicycles, it seems highly likely that any Raleigh made frame shipped from England to that particular company and built into a bicycle which was then destined for sale in Denmark, was stamped with the WN prefix.
Production year identification codes Please note that since this table was compiled, a Q has been found on a Raleigh frame made in March 1978. This obviously calls into question the entries for letters R to Z but also confirms the years for A to P are accurate. ABCDEFGHJKLMNPQRSTUVXZ194219431944194519461947194819491950195119521953195419551956195719581959196019611962196319641965196619671968196919701971197219731974197519761977 -1978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
See also Bicycle locker Bicycle theft List of bicycle registers Outline of cycling
References