Kreidler frame number and type plate: identifying the year
Published on 7 October 2026 · 2 min read
Before you order a single part, you need to know which Kreidler you have. Model and year determine almost everything: frame, forks, lighting, gearbox and even the colour of the wiring.
Where the frame number is
On most Kreidlers the frame number is stamped into the headstock, the tube the forks pass through. Sometimes on the right, sometimes the left, sometimes at the front.
Clean the area carefully. Use a brass brush or a cloth with penetrating oil — not a wire brush and not abrasive paper, because you do not want to damage the characters. Shine a light across it at an angle; stamped characters show up best that way.
The type plate
The type plate is a small metal plate, usually on the headstock or on the frame under the saddle. It carries the type, sometimes the year, and factory details.
If the plate is missing — which is common — the frame number is your main point of reference.
The engine number
This is stamped into the crankcase, usually on the left near the cylinder base or at the rear of the unit. If frame and engine numbers match each other and the year, you have a matching-numbers machine, and that is valuable.
If the engine has been swapped at some point that is no problem for riding, but it matters when ordering parts: what counts then is the engine type, not the year of the frame.
Why the year matters so much
A few practical examples:
- The frame changed several times; a mudguard from 1966 does not fit a 1974 frame.
- The forks, and with them the seal sizes, differ by period.
- The lighting moved from 6 volt in various wattages to other arrangements.
- The gearbox exists in three-, four- and five-speed form.
In the original parts books many items are listed literally as "up to 1972" or "from 1973". That is not a detail.
Number unreadable?
It happens. Options:
- Raking light and a phone photo with the contrast turned up help surprisingly often.
- Work carefully with a rust converter and look again.
- If it really will not come up, identify the model from external features: frame type, tank shape, number of gears, type of lighting.
For registration the number must be legible, so painting over the headstock is not a good idea.
Send it over
Not sure which model you have? Send us a photograph of the frame number and of the machine from the side, and we will look through the parts books with you.
Parts for this article
- Plaatje framenummer ot kreidler - €5.00
- Plaatje framenummer nt kreidler - €7.00
- KREIDLER Nagel / kerfnagel voor typeplaatje 00.55.10 - €1.00
- KREIDLER Kerfnagel typeplaatje 4x6 00.55.17 - €1.00
- KREIDLER Typeplaatje zwart aluminium nieuw model zilverkleurige rand 27.00.18 - €6.00
- Plaatje framenummer kreidler - €6.00