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lovethegoose · 2007-01-05 11:19pm

Info On Mongoose:
http://www.vintagemongoose.com/
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
1975 to late 1977 the frames have no brake bridge, and had the coaster brake mount welded on. back then the serials were sometimes only 4 numbers, so looking at the frame was the only way to id the year.

Late 1977 to mid 1979 they added the brake bridge but lost the coaster mount.

Mid 1981 to early 1982 they started using the stepdown dropout with the 2 holes machined in it, thus, the birth of the "super" dropout.

So here is the serial breakdown.

If it starts with: TC, this means its a team or supergoose. supergoose came in chrome only, the teams were nickel plated with either a blue or red coating. here is an example: TCA0****

UPDATE: it seems that some time around 79-80 and later, some supergooses were made, but not in chatsworth. They must be overseas frames but came in chrome so are supergooses.

That would be a team (or super) january (a) first month, "0" for 1980 mongoose.

Another hint is the supergooses had three (3) holes in the brake bridge after october 1981.

To help make sense of the lettering is simple: if yours starts with CH9****
the "C" stands for chatsworth", which is where the original goose shop was in cali. If you had the "T" in front, it meant it was a higher model, (team or super) if you have no "T" its a motomag or standard version. the "H" in that serial is the 8th month, which is sept. And the "9" is the last digit of the year..1979. Sept of 1979 mongoose.

Some early serials start like this: CE9 or CD9...these 2 are May of 1979 & April of 1979.

CC1 412709 = March of 1981

Now to the 80's, this is the rough part.

1983: the first looptails come out. *update* the serials this year only give you the year, month, and build number, not the model.

M3-K8634 would be mongoose/1983/K november/ 8634 (build number)

M3-I6885

In 1983 you are on your own figuring out the difference between a cali,or expert, the only other frams were the mitigoose, and supergoose, which are easy to figure out. Other than the cruisers which are easy to i.d. as well.

1984: the serials change again. Like this:

M4CF****
M4JI****

84 is another mystery.frames match but we need more serial entries like these.

1985: gets easier (after emailing numerous owners all over numerous sites)

Here is the clarification i hope:

M5EK**** 1985 expert made in November

M5CE**** 1985 cali made in May

M5CF**** 1985 cali made in June

M5CD**** 1985 cali made in April

This is from a lonnnngg list of 85 goose serials i have been storing and a few hints from a few that claim to know the secret.

1986: gets wierd again, remember this is when the freestyle thing came in, and some companies started selling out or going overseas. I only have one clear example here due to lack of serial posts.

M6EH**** 1986 expert built in april.

I have one goose decade serial, the owner said the decals didnt look like a 1987, heres the serial

M7L*****...1987 right, but made in december 87...so would be considered an 88. but the cali and expert style frames carried the same serial (this is when it got wierd with the sellout)
here is an expert serial from the same year:

M7H*****

We need more serial posts and any info, the mid to late 80's got confusing, this is the rough draft, but i busted my grass figuring out how to tell whats what, at least the most popular 85 goose owners know what they have.

This help with the blue max owners, but the serials are close, so once again, posting pics helps. this is the first draft, maybe we can add some pics to this. thanks avery (LAMBOHAHA),michael (MCATER)and jim (HUTCHHEAVEN) for some great info. this should get more detailed, i will keep working on it over time, email me if something needs to be added...

Here are a couple exsamples how to Read early 90s to Mid 90s SN's:

M90073096
Solution Pro
"90" = 1990

HBBG01007
Expert
2nd "B" = Year = 1992
"G" = Month = July

HCCE06454
Menace
2nd "C" = Year = 1993
"E" = Month = May

FEH00319
Villain
E = Year = 1995
H = Month = August

FEH04685
Villain
E = Year = 1995
H = Month = August

HCCG05057
Expert
2nd "C" = Year = 1993
"G" = Month = July

HBEB005411
Expert
"E" = Year = 1995
"B" = Month = Feb.

HFFF00125
Expert Pro
"F" = Year = 1996
"F" = Month = June

HFFG07292
Expert Pro
"F" = Year = 1996
"G" = Month = July

HFFI05146
Expert Pro
"F" = 1996
"I" = Sept.

ACL600343
Menace
"6" = Year = 1996

HFGB00168
Expert Pro
B = Month = February
G = Year = 1997

HQIH00585L
Menace Pro 25th Ann.
H = 8 = August
I = 9 = 1999

HAMKI02922
Sniper Pro
I = 9 = September
K = 11 = 2001

Last edited by lovethegoose (2007-02-02 8:20pm)

vrobb3 · 2007-01-06 5:49am

dont forget my cali..........E5000298

lovethegoose · 2007-01-06 7:26am

your cali is the freak of the pack (no offense) as far as serials go, that one doest match and of the others. i searched through a crap load of other forums, and everyone i saw which was a crap load, started with M5C or M5E. hopefully i can find out where that serial came from.

lambohaha · 2007-01-06 9:06pm

Hey LTG, looks good bro but so far only one correction is needed. The new dropouts came in mid `81 not `80. Other than that looks like you did some homework.

lovethegoose · 2007-01-06 9:08pm

cool, i have been working on it for a while, i will correct that,i need to figure how to write it in a "reader freindly" format, but its a start. mongoose serials were always changing. thanks for the info you sent me.

mcater · 2007-01-06 9:19pm

Looks good. I have a 83 Cali M3-F5647....I also have a 83 Super that is M3-G9999. I dont have that frame right now so the four digit serial number is actually not 9999. Getting new chrome. I am of the belief that the letter after the - is the month it was made. i dont think there is any indicator on the serial that tells one if the frame is a cali, expert, super or even mitty. there was one on ebay that went like this M3-H9999...what about this theory????????

haywardbmxer · 2007-01-06 11:43pm

what if it just has a hand stamped SN# 10343 how do you know what month and year it was made?

lovethegoose · 2007-01-06 11:49pm

mcater wrote:
Looks good. I have a 83 Cali M3-F5647....I also have a 83 Super that is M3-G9999. I dont have that frame right now so the four digit serial number is actually not 9999. Getting new chrome. I am of the belief that the letter after the - is the month it was made. i dont think there is any indicator on the serial that tells one if the frame is a cali, expert, super or even mitty. there was one on ebay that went like this M3-H9999...what about this theory????????

i am not sure, the only letters i have seen after the M3 is "K'. except for yours, i think you get the year and make, but not the month. thats what i think was going on with the 83 serials.

lambohaha wrote:
Notta prob, if I find more I`ll let ya know.
How `bout LSU? Just plain embarrassed the irish huh? Hope UF is ready for OSU on monday nite.

LSU made me happy, i love the irish, but that was a traditional a@@ wooping. good way to end the year.

lovethegoose · 2007-01-06 11:53pm

haywardbmxer wrote:
what if it just has a hand stamped SN# 10343 how do you know what month and year it was made?

without a pic, the only thing i can guess is the frame you have is the first ones, can you describe it? some of the first only had a production number, no model, month or year. throw a picture on here, that may be the only way.

mcater · 2007-01-07 9:43am

Michael, I am going to ask all sellers on ebay that put up a 83-85 looptail if they can provide a serial number for a survey for the museum? Maybe this will help us out a little. there is always a looptail at the bay....

lovethegoose · 2007-01-07 4:54pm

that sounds good, i would like to see more serials from the looptails, but everything would be beautiful if i could locate an ex-bmx employee with the info. time will tell, i have been looking around.

JBMXER2003 · 2007-01-15 10:32am

I've got an old Mongoose I saved from the trash 14 years ago. From the the dropouts it looks like a 77-80 model. There is no coaster mount but its got the brake bridge and is the no hole dropout.
There serial on the bottom bracket though is a F156307? Im not sure on the last 3 digits but I know the F156 is the first part of it. Any ideas. Apparently this is probably a lesser model, but the frame is still in very good condition. Its still got the mongoose sprocket, seatpost clamp, and forks.

mcater · 2007-01-15 10:41am

sounds like a mongoose. 1981 is the year. could be a super though

hayd3012 · 2007-01-16 6:29am

any ideas on frame no H3001869 should be a 1983 supergoose am i right ??
anyone help !!

lovethegoose · 2007-01-16 6:36am

its built in august 1983. though thats just a standard goose, the supers had a T or S in the serial. you hav any pictures? a regular goose with the super style dropouts.

lovethegoose · 2007-01-16 6:37am

JBMXER2003 wrote:
I've got an old Mongoose I saved from the trash 14 years ago. From the the dropouts it looks like a 77-80 model. There is no coaster mount but its got the brake bridge and is the no hole dropout.
There serial on the bottom bracket though is a F156307? Im not sure on the last 3 digits but I know the F156 is the first part of it. Any ideas. Apparently this is probably a lesser model, but the frame is still in very good condition. Its still got the mongoose sprocket, seatpost clamp, and forks.

thats june of 1981, and yes, a standard goose, probably motomag.

JBMXER2003 · 2007-01-16 10:45am

Well even its a standard goose not only is it a survivor, but it was made the year I was born. May pick up a set of motomag off ebay then. I've already found a few sets.

Thanks, Joseph

lovethegoose · 2007-01-16 11:47am

hey joseph, even the standards were killer, i have an 81 that was originally a motomag, i put some heavy blue lester mags on it, and did the full white/blue combo, its in the museum. all the onld gooses are equally nice.

linwoodcycles · 2007-01-17 1:29pm

I have a new retro supergoose 314/500...and anther oldie pretty much the same with frame number I2005580 ..So the retro is a really bad copy and Not a 1978 model retro?..I have pat pending red Z-Rims and ACS hubs on my old ride and NOS black pat-pending rims with NOS Shimano bmx hubs on the new one

lovethegoose · 2007-01-17 2:04pm

if i get your question right, no the retro is a new frame, but made like the old ones. and that serial number would be august 1982.

linwoodcycles · 2007-01-17 3:50pm

So our New Zealand / aussie catalouge is wrong the retro ant a 1978 copy but a 1982 copy then?.

lovethegoose · 2007-01-17 4:11pm

oh, i must have misread your question, i was saying that serial number indicates a 82 goose. but if the company says its an 78 repro, then thats what it is, i think that all the repro's were based off the 1978 model.

linwoodcycles · 2007-01-17 4:24pm

"Lovethegoose"..I have bike frame number I200 on the shelf next to the new retro and they are pretty much the same to look at, drop outs and brake mounts etc. were the 78-82 bikes much the same?..Next to them I have a 86 eric rupe looptail, with the drilled out 20x1 1/8 wheels..I prefer the looptail frame and wished the retro was a looptail..if you know of a SE retro looptail I would be keen as the NZ importers missed out as they were all allready sold out..

lovethegoose · 2007-01-17 4:31pm

the 78-82 years had a few changes, some of the earlier 78's still had the coaster brake mount welded on the rear seatstay, and in mid 81, they started using the stepdown dropouts with the 2 holes drilled in it. those drilled out wheels are called "pro class" wheels and they are awesome. if "I200" is the whole serial number, it may be a very early model since they didnt use a code to the serial numbers. if you can put some pictures up i would love to see them. i will keep an eye out for a se repro for you, but they are hard to find. i love the looptails myself, i think its one of the best designs to happen to bmx.

linwoodcycles · 2007-01-17 4:54pm

I2005580 is the full frame number on the supergoose...stamped on the square tube behind the bb ..My camera at work is crappy , I'll bring a better one to work tomorrow and put some pic's up..Note the 2000+ Mongoose bikes use code M7#### on the 2007 models and M6 on 2006, etc back to 2001 which is a M1 ,,thats on the shipping carton , but bike frame number start with H which I belive is factory they were made in..

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Mongoose Serial Number Info

#1 2007-01-05 11:19pm

Mongoose Serial Number Info

#2 2007-01-06 5:49am

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#3 2007-01-06 7:26am

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#4 2007-01-06 9:06pm

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#5 2007-01-06 9:08pm

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#6 2007-01-06 9:19pm

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#7 2007-01-06 11:43pm

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#8 2007-01-06 11:49pm

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

mcater wrote:

lambohaha wrote:

#9 2007-01-06 11:53pm

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

haywardbmxer wrote:

#10 2007-01-07 9:43am

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#11 2007-01-07 4:54pm

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#12 2007-01-15 10:32am

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#13 2007-01-15 10:41am

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#14 2007-01-16 6:29am

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#15 2007-01-16 6:36am

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#16 2007-01-16 6:37am

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

JBMXER2003 wrote:

#17 2007-01-16 10:45am

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#18 2007-01-16 11:47am

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#19 2007-01-17 1:29pm

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#20 2007-01-17 2:04pm

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#21 2007-01-17 3:50pm

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#22 2007-01-17 4:11pm

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#23 2007-01-17 4:24pm

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#24 2007-01-17 4:31pm

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

#25 2007-01-17 4:54pm

Re: Mongoose Serial Number Info

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