Torker Frame Serial Number Guide

One of my goals with this Blog is to pass on information I’ve collected. Since day-one of my entry into vintage BMX collecting, I’ve been frustrated by the lack of accurate information on the various bikes, frames, parts, etc. that are attractive to the collecting community. When I had questions, most of the answers I got were based on guesses, gossip, 30-year-old foggy memories and hearsay. As a reporter and a 20-year member of the bike industry, I knew the answers I sought were out there. So, I began researching and reporting—I actually talked to the people who made and sold the stuff I was collecting. Two of my first goals were to decipher the serial numbers Torker put on its frames and to better understand Torker’s corporate and product histories.

What follows is the serial number guide I’ve complied based on the accumulation of scores of Torker serial numbers over a 3 year period.

A few months into collecting serial numbers (SN), I had a theory on how Torker’s system worked month-by-month. At the time, however, I overlooked a few details and couldn’t make all the number fit my theory. I also had a few odd-ball numbers (still do) that exist due to: 1. Misread/inaccurately reported SN; 2. Poorly stamped SN; 3. Factory Mislabeling; 4. Unreadable SN; 5. All of the above.

As it turns out, my first theory was dead-on. Those few odd-balls not withstanding, I’m 90+% sure I’ve cracked the code from May 1978 when the Low Profile and Big Bike production began to October 1984 when the original U.S.-based company went bankrupt.

Prior to May 1978, Torker seems to have used the “standard” BMX SN system that many companies used. I have only two SNs from that time, but I am pretty confident of how they work.  The two I have are  T877188 and T977270. My best guess: “T” for Torker, month (August and September), year (1977), frame production number (188 and 270).

Starting in May 1978, Torker went with two letters (T? or ?T)—a “T” for Torker and a second letter corresponding to the month of production. The first letter in the series is “A” for May. Next is the production number of the model. The final letter represents the frame model. For example: TJ 3344 L = February 1979; the 3,344th frame in the model series; “L” for Low Profile (L.P.) or, The 3344th L.P. was made in February 1979. One caveat to this is if Torker used a letter to identify the model through 1978. I only have two SNs from 1978 and neither has a final letter.

The first series starts with “TA” in May 1978 and ends 26 months later in June 1980. In July 1980, a new series starts with “AT” and runs 26 months to August 1982. The model production numbers continue sequentially through both systems.

In September 1982, Torker switched to a new system starting with three letters TZZ to TAA. Around this time, Torker also changed its product line, dropping or changing all previous models and/or names. For example, the L.P. was renamed the 280 and all mild steel models were eliminated. The SN system, however, remained the same, with the exception of the three first letters and that it started at the end of the alphabet rather than the beginning. For example: TRR 8122 = May 1983; the 8,122 frame in the model series; no letter for 280. Frame production numbers started over from “1” with “TZZ.”

Most SNs end with a letter. The letter identifies the model. Those SNs that lack a final letter are either L.P.s or 280s, depending on when the frame was made. Torker dropped the “L” when it discontinued the Big Bike (B). At the same time, Mild steel L.P.s went from LM to M.

Previously, I wrote that a frame with the SN on the BB was made prior to 1980. As I collected more SNs, I began to question this theory. I now believe this is incorrect. Indeed, Torker used the SN on the BB early on, but it used it until mid-1980. From about that time, depending on the model (but there is no obvious solid date) the SN was put on the right, rear dropout. Using the SN location to date your frame should be avoided. The best way to ID your frame is to use the SN code that follows. These codes also can be found on my web site: http://www.fortyfour16design.com.

This serial number on the right rear dropout says the frame was a mild steel L.P. Long and it was made in October 1981. It's the 100th mild steel L.P. Long made by Torker.

My research is only on the frames made by Torker in its own factory in Fullerton, CA, USA. I do not have any research on frames made in Asia after the Oct. 1984 bankruptcy.

I must thank the guys who put together the Haro frame registry. Their work made this job much easier.

Here are the date codes followed by the model ID codes:

TA=May 1978

TB=June 1978

TC=July 1978

TD=Aug. 1978

TE=Sept. 1978

TF=Oct. 1978

TG=Nov. 1978

TH=Dec. 1978

TI=Jan. 1979

TJ=Feb. 1979

TK=March 1979

TL=April 1979

TM=May 1979

TN=June 1979

TO=July 1979

TP=Aug. 1979

TQ=Sept. 1979

TR=Oct. 1979

TS=Nov. 1979

TT=Dec. 1979

TU=Jan. 1980

TV=Feb. 1980

TW=March 1980

TX=April 1980

TY=May 1980

TZ=June 1980

AT=July 1980

BT=Aug. 1980

CT=Sept. 1980

DT=Oct. 1980

ET=Nov. 1980

FT=Dec. 1980

GT=Jan. 1981

HT=Feb. 1981

IT=March 1981

JT=April 1981

KT=May 1981

LT=June 1981

MT=July 1981

NT=Aug. 1981

OT=Sept. 1981

PT=Oct. 1981

QT=Nov. 1981

RT=Dec. 1981

ST=Jan. 1982

TT=Feb. 1982

UT=March 1982

VT=April 1982

WT=May 1982

XT=June 1982

YT=July 1982

ZT=Aug. 1982

TZZ=Sept. 1982

TYY=Oct. 1982

TXX=Nov. 1982

TWW=Dec.1982

TVV=Jan. 1983

TUU=Feb. 1983

TTT=March 1983

TSS=April 1983

TRR=May 1983

TQQ=June 1983

TPP=July 1983

TOO=Aug. 1983

TNN=Sept. 1983

TMM=Oct. 1983

TLL=Nov. 1983

TKK=Dec. 1983

TJJ=Jan. 1984

TII=Feb. 1984

THH-March 1984

TGG=April 1984

TFF=May 1984

TEE=June 1984

TDD=July 1984

TCC=Aug. 1984

TBB=Sept. 1984

TAA=Oct. 1984

Model Codes:

B = Big Bike (from May 1978; had rear-facing dropouts; previously the MX)

BM = Mild Steel Big Bike

E = Eddy King Replica (European BB)

L = L.P. (Low Profile)

No Letter = Standard L.P.

LM = Mild Steel L.P. (1978-1979)

M = Mild Steel L.P., 1980+

0 (or O) = Long L.P. (has longer top tube (19”)

0M (or OM) = Long Mild Steel L.P. (has longer top tube (19”)

No Letter = Standard 280 (from Sept. 1982)

0 (or O) = 280 Long, (has longer top tube (19”) (from Sept. 1982)

0X (or OX) = 280 Long (has oval-hole gusset and 19” top tube) (from some time in 1983)

P = Pro XL, late-1983, (has longer top tube (19.5”), Haro/Redline-style gusset, butted tubing and 1 1/8” down tube)

SC = 24” cruiser (Small/Short Cruiser)

C = 26” cruiser (Cruiser)

R = Mini

RP = 1984 Mini Pro (Only known frame belonged to Factory Torker rider Craig Bark)

F = Haro fremaes (F = Freestyle?)

Written by: Michael Gamstetter

© Michael Gamstetter 2010

 Original Article: https://fortyfour16.wordpress.com/torker-frame-serial-number-guide/


6 comments


  • Zoran

    Hi, just purchased what I think is a torker vagabond 1997. Can you please explain the serial no: ACE7H01182 also opposite the serious no BC-V so confusing. Any help would be appreciated thanks


  • Zoran

    Hi, just purchased what I think is a torker vagabond 1997. Can you please explain the serial no: ACE7H01182 also opposite the serious no BC-V so confusing. Any help would be appreciated thanks


  • Wilhelm Johann Oosthuizen

    Hello i have a bmx frame serial number ABC5852 can you tell me what brand and year it is please


  • Jason

    My Torker frame serial #
    TU 1316 L

    So is this 1980 1316 long?
    Thanks for all this research


  • William

    Td40132432 is that a tork bike serial number


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