To be honest bradders, there is that much white aluminium oxide where the number should be, it's probably rusted off! No engine number recorded?
Looks SPS but messed around with quite a bit. Airbox isn't stock. Throttles should be under it, not in it. If you have the VIN, drop me a pm and I can check. Engine number should be stamped on the cases, just under the alternator cover. Clock faces have been swapped... used to be the "done" thing back in the day. Think I still have a yellow set kicking around somewhere...
Do you have the bike to hand? Its whether there is one or not. And if not, has it been removed (tampered) with or is not blank (which could be cases replacement or maybe race motor I think??) Assuming you have bought for someone you don't know etc, and given its condition, think I'd check out its history. isitnicked.com at the very least Looks like a project tho, thats for sure!
I thought SPS engines had blank head castings as yours appear to have, I.e. it doesn't show DOHC beside the valve inspection covers
Bike is 20 feet away lol. Searched all over the engine, can't find a number. Where exactly are they on the 916, so I can check? Story is it was an old guys that became I'll and left it. Wasn't discovered till he died, years later. This is the sons story that spirit to me, no history, although you can see it's been messed (the yolks and fairings, but got it for the price of a normal 916. I'll just be happy when it's concourse condition again! Searching for the VIN....
Tbh, engine number doesn’t help much. Once the vin is checked, it may prove the engine is the original or not. VIN is on the right hand side of the head stock. It’ll begin with ZDM. The picture of the silver decal on the frame is also the vin, it looks damage but could be a start.
