Bike Codes
 

Sorry to be thick but can someone please explain the codes that are used to define the bike model...like 3AJ please?
I have a 2002 XT 600E, what code will that be?

Thanks

DC

3AJ is the code for the Yamaha XT600Z Tenere comercialised in the years 1988, 1989 and 1990. I own this type of bike.

The Teneres have the following codes :

34L - sold in 1983 and 1984
55W - sold in 1985
1VJ - sold in 1986 and 1987
3 AJ - ...
3YF - sold in 1991, 1992 and 1993
4MD - sold in 1994 and 1995
4 MY - 1996, 1997, 1997 and 1998

For a good XT hitory check this site :
http://www.xs4all.nl/~enduro/geschiedenis_2.htm

3AJ in a 5CH
 

That linked website is useful and you can find others that have been listed in here in earlier threads - many of them are based in Germany, but, as with this NL site, you can get the basic ideas without understanding any German (or you can use Babelfish etc).


You will notice in the linked site, that there are even more designations than listed in the last post, e.g.
43F = 1984-86
2KF/2NF = 1987-90 (this model has a kick start)
3TB/3UW = 1990-94 and 1996-99

I looked into this a while ago, probably using that same Dutch website, because the 5CH Yamaha TT600R has a 3AJ engine, just to confuse the issue! :rolleyes2:

Hi Walkabout
just had a look at my TTR600 it has a engine no starting 5CH the cylinder is stamped 3AJ and am sure it has a 2kf head all oringal parts.
The main engine casings look exactly the same as the XT casings but are more expensive and I belive they are slightly thiner/ lighter.

Hi bolla,
Ditto, similar engine markings for 5CH/3AJ. I don't know about the cyl head though - I don't recall that.

I didn't realise that the engine is different from the current XT: I had assumed that it is the same engine, partly because they do a similar job and have the same cc engine capacity, but basically because of that 3AJ designation on the barrel.

letters
 

Confirm that letters on barrel and head can be different from the three letters starting frame and engine number, that should be the same and indicate the real production series.

Answering to dickturpin, your bike letters are the starting three or four of frame number. Engine should have the same, if the number is different it means that a previous owner replaced the engine. With our bikes a rebuild is NOT a cheap work, and find a good engine from a wreck is far cheaper (but risky too, unless you can test it before to pay...)

Thanks gents...much appreciated.

DC

Parts numbering system
 

Yamaha uses parts for different models. So, for instance the rear light glass of the 3AJ is also on the FJR etc.
If they stamp a model number on a part, it is the model number of the model that the part was first used on. The only correct reference for the engine's type number is the first 3 positions of the number stamped on the ribbed surface on top of the RH engine cover. Normally this number is identical to the framenumber.

This also explains why there are 3AJ cilinders on XT's and TT's, and 2KF heads etc. Take a look at the inside of the oil filter cover: 5Y1: it is the oil filter cover of the XT550.

Auke