I've been collecting Torker SNs for a few years now. A few months into it, I had a theory on how it worked month-by-month. At the time, however, I overlooked a few details and couldn't make my theory work, so I discarded the theory. I also had a few odd-ball numbers (still do) that exist due to: 1. Misread/inaccurately reported SN; 2. Poorly stamped SN; 3. Factory Mislabeling; 4. Unreadable SN; 5. All of the above.
As it turns out, my first theory was dead-on. Those few odd-balls not withstanding, I'm 90+% sure I've cracked the code from May 1978 when the Low Profile and Big Bike production began to October 1984 when the original U.S.-based company went bankrupt.
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.
Previously, I wrote that a frame with the SN on the BB was made prior to 1980. As I collected more SNs, I began to question this theory. I now believe this is incorrect. Indeed, Torker used the SN on the BB early on, but it used it until mid-1980. From about that time, depending on the model (but there is no obvious solid date) the SN was put on the right, rear dropout. Using the SN location to date your frame should be avoided. The best way to ID your frame is to use the SN code that follows. These codes also can be found on my web site:
www.fortyfour16design.com.
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:
TA=May 1978
TB=June 1978
TC=July 1978
TD=Aug. 1978
TE=Sept. 1978
TF=Oct. 1978
TG=Nov. 1978
TH=Dec. 1978
TI=Jan. 1979
TJ=Feb. 1979
TK=March 1979
TL=April 1979
TM=May 1979
TN=June 1979
TO=July 1979
TP=Aug. 1979
TQ=Sept. 1979
TR=Oct. 1979
TS=Nov. 1979
TT=Dec. 1979
TU=Jan. 1980
TV=Feb. 1980
TW=March 1980
TX=April 1980
TY=May 1980
TZ=June 1980
AT=July 1980
BT=Aug. 1980
CT=Sept. 1980
DT=Oct. 1980
ET=Nov. 1980
FT=Dec. 1980
GT=Jan. 1981
HT=Feb. 1981
IT=March 1981
JT=April 1981
KT=May 1981
LT=June 1981
MT=July 1981
NT=Aug. 1981
OT=Sept. 1981
PT=Oct. 1981
QT=Nov. 1981
RT=Dec. 1981
ST=Jan. 1982
TT=Feb. 1982
UT=March 1982
VT=April 1982
WT=May 1982
XT=June 1982
YT=July 1982
ZT=Aug. 1982
TZZ=Sept. 1982
TYY=Oct. 1982
TXX=Nov. 1982
TWW=Dec.1982
TVV=Jan. 1983
TUU=Feb. 1983
TTT=March 1983
TSS=April 1983
TRR=May 1983
TQQ=June 1983
TPP=July 1983
TOO=Aug. 1983
TNN=Sept. 1983
TMM=Oct. 1983
TLL=Nov. 1983
TKK=Dec. 1983
TJJ=Jan. 1984
TII=Feb. 1984
THH-March 1984
TGG=April 1984
TFF=May 1984
TEE=June 1984
TDD=July 1984
TCC=Aug. 1984
TBB=Sept. 1984
TAA=Oct. 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) = 20”, Long L.P. (has longer top tube (19”)
0M (or OM) = 20”, 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)
