Vin problem

I am doing a complete rebuild on 85 xj700xn. And want to apply for lost title prior to completing. but i am having trouble reading the vin. The was powdered coat. It appears worn down but still faint. Any ideas on a way to read it with grinding the powder coating?

 

Look on the upper crankcase, just above or nearby to the clutch/waterpump cover.....see page 4 below:

https://www.xj4ever.com/catalog/frame-engine-id.pdf

That is the engine ID, which is in the format of (MODEL ID - SERIAL NUMBER), and thus includes---in the last 6 positions---the bike frame serial number (assuming it's the original engine in the bike).

With this info, then you can "reverse engineer" the full VIN by following the procedures outlined here:

https://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/tech-topic-model-id-and-vins.14577

Assuming that your bike is a 49-state (non-California) model 1985 XJ700-X, then the model ID code is 1AA.

So that pad near the clutch cover should read 1AA-(serial#).

Your full VIN will thus be JYA1AA00?FA(serial#)..............the ? in the 9th position is the calculated "check digit" which you have to calculate using the procedure outlined in the above article.