Dan,
Sometimes the frame No on the rear dropout is very difficult to read the track nuts or QR end up obscuring it. Or if the frame has been refinished it ends up under a layer of paint.
The clearest place to find it is on the fork steerer tube. This means taking the forks out.
The best person to talk to regarding the date of your Hetchin's is Len Ingram. He can be contacted on the following telephone No 44 1249 650 234 Len like myself lives in the UK so please take into consideration the time differance when calling !!!! He Will however need a clear frame No to be able to date your bike.
Depending on what era it is he maybe able to tell you how much it sold for.
Cheers,
John
>From: "DAN ULWELLING" <rydjor@smig.net>
>To: "CRlist" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>Subject: [CR]hetchins serial no.
>Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2001 10:29:00 -0800
>
>Dale and CR listers,
>The only numbers I can find on the BB look to be some kind of casting
>number. The three digit number appears to be 400? The BB shell has had
>the oil cap removed on the top side( a filled in hole is still visible).
>The underside looks as if it also has had a hole filled. In any event,
>maybe the serial number is located in a different spot?
>
>Dan Ulwelling