Originally Posted by
fords4life
I thought the first number of the serial number was supposed to be the year of the frame, I'm not 100% certain of the rest. Any info would be appreciated.
'84 Prestige serial number 4C5S0033
'85 Prestige serial number 4L5S2243....was this a frame built in '84 but painted and built out in '85?
In the serial number the first digit is the year of frame manufacture, the second character (a letter) is usually for the month in that year.
The sequence of letters used for the month are not necessarily continuous. Some letters may be skipped.
The first serial number is 1984 March as the date of frame manufacture. Probably a 1984 model year.
The second serial number is 1984 for the year and the month letter "L" is possibly October, November, or December. Anyway, manufactured late in the year 1984, so possibly for a 1985 model.
Edit: My estimate for the month in the second serial number is based on observation of over 40 of this type of Raleigh serial number.