Klein frame number i.d.......can anyone give me a clue?

[vinnya77]

Anyone know if this frame and fork ID gives the age?

Frame: ATOFE
Forks: AO11

Thanks

 

[Vinevo]

Hello Vincent,

I asked the question before about mine and the response was the early part numbers don't give much away other than A is for Attitude. It must equate to something or they wouldn't of bothered putting the ident on there, are there no old Klein employees about who would know and be able to inform us please?

Ash.

 

[vinnya77]

As you say Ash, they must mean something.
Be nice if someone could decifer them.
I'd like to age mine as the decals seem different to all others I've seen.
Still need to pop round and check out your new additions.

 

[ez054098]

Anyone know if this frame and fork ID gives the age?

Frame: ATOFE
Forks: AO11

Thanks

I am thinking the 1 says it is 91. Is it a box crown fork or uni crown?

 

[ez054098]

Here is some useful info from some former Klein employees:

"those early serial numbers unfortunately don't tell the date the frame was built. If they are on the rear drop outs it's from 92 or before. Somewhen in 92 the serial numbers moved to the underside of the bb shell and contained month and year of production and later also the frame size (first number before the letter). 90 Attitudes had box crown forks, solid decals (no outline) and the upper head set seal with the Klein logo. 91 solid decals and Uniklein (round crown). 92 decals with outline. 93 debossed logos, 31.6mm seat post, 1 7/8" down tube and short seat tube extension above top tube. Let me add that those are just general guidelines. There are many exceptions like early frames repainted by Klein with later features or left-over frames that got painted much later etc. Also it seems that a model year started around August of the previous year so it's well possible that someone bought a 92 model in late 91."

 

[vinnya77]

Anyone know if this frame and fork ID gives the age?

Frame: ATOFE
Forks: AO11

Thanks

I am thinking the 1 says it is 91. Is it a box crown fork or uni crown?

Mine has the box fork.

 

[jmazpiazu]

Here is some useful info from some former Klein employees:

"those early serial numbers unfortunately don't tell the date the frame was built. If they are on the rear drop outs it's from 92 or before. Somewhen in 92 the serial numbers moved to the underside of the bb shell and contained month and year of production and later also the frame size (first number before the letter). 90 Attitudes had box crown forks, solid decals (no outline) and the upper head set seal with the Klein logo. 91 solid decals and Uniklein (round crown). 92 decals with outline. 93 debossed logos, 31.6mm seat post, 1 7/8" down tube and short seat tube extension above top tube. Let me add that those are just general guidelines. There are many exceptions like early frames repainted by Klein with later features or left-over frames that got painted much later etc. Also it seems that a model year started around August of the previous year so it's well possible that someone bought a 92 model in late 91."

Thanks for the information. I find myself in the same dilemma as futuristicoldman. :roll:

I have a 22” Dolomite, from 90 or 91. Box fork and decals with outline. Serial numbers are: A0536 for the fork and A5A7 for the rear drop out. The box fork made me think about a 90 specimen but decals might say it´s a 91. I don’t think it´s been repainted though.

As you say, there were lots of exceptions and mine could just be one of them.

Cheers.

Decals:

Serial number in fork:

Rear drop out:

 

[ez054098]

Here is some useful info from some former Klein employees:

"those early serial numbers unfortunately don't tell the date the frame was built. If they are on the rear drop outs it's from 92 or before. Somewhen in 92 the serial numbers moved to the underside of the bb shell and contained month and year of production and later also the frame size (first number before the letter). 90 Attitudes had box crown forks, solid decals (no outline) and the upper head set seal with the Klein logo. 91 solid decals and Uniklein (round crown). 92 decals with outline. 93 debossed logos, 31.6mm seat post, 1 7/8" down tube and short seat tube extension above top tube. Let me add that those are just general guidelines. There are many exceptions like early frames repainted by Klein with later features or left-over frames that got painted much later etc. Also it seems that a model year started around August of the previous year so it's well possible that someone bought a 92 model in late 91."

Thanks for the information. I find myself in the same dilemma as futuristicoldman. :roll:

I have a 22” Dolomite, from 90 or 91. Box fork and decals with outline. Serial numbers are: A0536 for the fork and A5A7 for the rear drop out. The box fork made me think about a 90 specimen but decals might say it´s a 91. I don’t think it´s been repainted though.

As you say, there were lots of exceptions and mine could just be one of them.

Cheers.

Decals:

Serial number in fork:

Rear drop out:

What do the fork decals look like?

 

[jmazpiazu]

What do the fork decals look like?

With outline too:

I´ve only seen a couple more box fork Dolomites on the web. Most of the bikes showing the outlined decals, have a Uniklein fork.

 

[Vinevo]

Here is a few examples, box fork with solid black, box with white outline, uni with white outline.