First time owner (Suzuki 125) with a question

[dennisd]

Well, I joined the over 2 wheel crowd (always been a biker; street & dirt) by buying a Suzuki 125 (guy I bought it from wasn't the original owner). Unfortunately, the part of the foil tag on the steering stem where the year is shown, is torn off from the cables rubbing it. Anyone with a service manual that can tell me which digits in the vin designate the year and what the codes are for the various years would be a great help. I think the machine was originally orange?; but the front fender and backbone cover were painted red by a previous owner when he built a utility rack for the back of it (or maybe that plastic has been replaced but I do know it has been painted). I plan on using it as a mule on my weekend property so the rack is a plus for me.

Only thing I had to do was clean the carb and she runs good without being a mosquito fogger.

This is the first in a series of questions I need help with (the other questions will have to wait till I know what year I have).

Thanks and I look forward to doing some good reading here.

[sgp56]

is it a ALT125 or LT125?? PICS???

[dennisd]

Again, I'm new to 3 wheelers. How can I tell? From some pics I've seen here, I think it's a ALT. It has a centrifugal clutch if that tells you the difference. I think I see a 3 at the end of the foil label on the steering stem so I guess it's an '83. If I take a picture of the engine, will that let you tell which it is (ALT or LT)?

Pics of the entire machine probably wouldn't help since it has a home made rear cargo rack but I'll try to post some soon.

[dennisd]

OK, forgive my stupidity; is a LT a 4 wheel ATV and a ALT a 3 wheel ATV? Sorry I didn't make it clear in my original post; I have a 3 wheeler.