Barracuda (UK) Frame/Serial Numbers

[sam_white]

I need some help. Probably professional help, but I digress.

Having been riding this bike for 20 years, I've been a lot more proactive the last 9 months trying to figure out what it is from the frame number - AM9612130
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/identify-unknown-dbr.104694/

I have figured out that is is possibly a Barracuda. A 'BSO', not the original American company (they're well supported over at the Barracuda forum)
https://www.barracudabicycles.com/wp/forums/

The frame number suggests that the frame is from 1996, which is when the original Barracuda company seemed to disappear and when the UK company of the same name started. Possibly coincidental.

So far, the UK Barracuda bike's frame numbers have only been seen on Barracuda's and a single Emmelle bike.

Therefore if you've got one of these:

Caymen (1996)
Curacao (1996)
Tia (1997)
Slalom (199
Emmelle Lightning (199
Ghetto (2000)
Squadra (2000)
Avenger (2002)
Sport Cross (2003)

Arrival
Showdown
Reaction
Sentinel
Sarasota
Zombie
Snake Bite
Thriller
DV-8
Overload

Or indeed any Full Suspension/Rigid/Hybrid/Road bike branded as a Barracuda, then please share the frame number.
Please check if there is one forgotten and tucked away in a shed, found at a friends/Family or the local bike project.
Age not important - anything you've got ....

Due to their age and quality, these bikes are not often shown here but I'm hopefully that the community can help and the bikes are out there.

At the least, it should be possible to put an a accurate date on the frame/bike.

Bonus points if you can supply a photo of the bike too.

I haven't been able to find any marketing information either, so that would be helpful too.

 

[sam_white]

Looks like this is a solo quest so far then....

Got my first number, this Barracuda Drift
L080406294

Not much help unfortunately!

 

[novocaine]

soon as I get a chance to go in the loft I'll let you have my two.

not sure it will tell you much though as they are made in a factory in a back street of Taiwan.

 

[Siish]

Barracuda draco 26, F/s (Moore & large special) believe it's 2021 model
Frame number B20564010387

Stamped on BB non drive side

 

[sam_white]

A colleague has passed me this - Frame number from a Barracuda Tia.

AM97020100

The Union Jack sticker is a Moore & Large Co LTD decal.

 

[novocaine]

Cuda ghetto.


2000 would fit about right for it's year.

 

[sam_white]

Thanks @novocaine AM2K081659 is a Year 2000 Barracuda number, and in exactly the place I'd expect to see it. NDS seat tube ...

 

[sam_white]

Found a couple more, two days apart. Barracuda Slalom AM98078443

Has quite possibly the worst pair of RST forks I've ever seen. Also interestingly has the frame number on the swingarm, not the main frame.

 

[sam_white]

Secondly, to muddy the waters, this Emmelle Lightning. I wrongly assumed that the 'AM' prefix was exclusive to Barracuda. This one proves me wrong, although they're both Moore & Large brands.

AM98014581

 

[sam_white]

Interestingly (to me...) I found this Barracuda Caymen on Facebook marketplace today. Will link the ad in the relevant place.





It has a frame number of what looks like F96040256 - April 1996. Same year as mine, but a different factory.
I'm assuming this is a UK Barracuda and not an American one, but I am not 100% sure. Assuming it is mostly stock (OEM seat and handlebars) it also shows how far the brand has fallen! Wouldn't see Rock Shox and LX on a new one now ...

A quick search online found another one! F96041340.



These look like steel frames.

Finally it seems there was an aluminium version. No frame number for this one.