Torker BMX Serial Number Guide
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 am pretty confident of how they work. They look like this: 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, the 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.
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:
(Updated 2.2.2024)
TA = February 1978
TB = March 1978
TC = April 1978
TD = May 1978
TE = June 1978
TF = July 1978
T G = August 1978
TH = September 1978
TI = October 1978
TJ = November 1978
TK = December 1978
TL = January 1979
TM = February 1979
TN = March 1979
TO = April 1979
TP = May 1979
TQ = June 1979
TR = July 1979
TS = August 1979
TT = September 1979
TU = October 1979
TV = November 1979
TW = December 1979
TX = January 1980
TY = February 1980
TZ = March 1980
AT = April 1980
BT = May 1980
CT = June 1980
DT = July 1980
ET = August 1980
FT = September 1980
GT = October 1980
HT = November 1980
IT = December 1980
JT = January 1981
KT = February 1981
LT = March 1981
MT = April 1981
NT = May 1981
OT = June 1981
PT = July 1981
QT = August 1981
RT = September 1981
ST = October 1981
TT = November 1981
UT = December 1981
VT = January 1982
WT = February 1982
XT = March 1982
YT = April 1982
ZT = May 1982
TZZ = June 1982
TYY = July 1982
TXX = August 1982
TWW = September 1982
TVV = October 1982
TUU = November 1982
TTT = December 1982
TSS = January 1983
TRR = February 1983
TQQ = March 1983
TPP = April 1983
TOO = May 1983
TNN = June 1983
TMM = July 1983
TLL = August 1983
TKK = September 1983
TJJ = October 1983
TII = November 1983
THH = December 1983
TGG = January 1984
TFF = February 1984
TEE = March 1984
TDD = April 1984
TCC = May 1984
TBB = June 1984
TAA = July 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 frame (Freestyle?)