Finding the Serial Number on Your Electric Bike

The serial number on most electric bikes is stamped on the bottom bracket (the metal cylinder where the pedal crank arms attach) or on the head tube (the front of the frame just below the handlebars). If you don’t see it there, check under the removable battery, on the seat tube, or near the motor. This unique ID is your key to theft recovery, warranty claims, and ordering correct replacement parts.

Why You Need the Serial Number

• Theft recovery – Police and online registries (like BikeIndex or 529 Garage) use it to match a recovered bike to you.
• Warranty claims – Most manufacturers ask for the frame serial before they’ll process a motor or battery replacement.
• Parts compatibility – Knowing the frame number helps you order the correct battery mount, motor bracket, or controller bracket if you’re upgrading or repairing.
• Resale – A clean, visible serial number assures a buyer that the bike isn’t stolen and matches the paperwork.

Common Locations – Where to Look First

Most e-bikes follow one of these patterns, but the exact spot can vary by model and year. If you’re lucky, the number is in plain sight; otherwise you may need to clean the area or remove the battery.

Bottom Bracket (Most Common)

Flip the bike upside down or lay it on its side. Wipe away dirt and grease from the cylindrical section where the pedal crank arms go through. The serial is usually engraved or stamped directly into the metal. Some brands also place a sticker here, but the stamped version is more permanent. If you see only a sticker, also check for a stamp underneath – stickers peel off after a few seasons.

Head Tube

Look at the front of the frame, just above the front wheel and below the handlebar stem. The number may be on the front face, the left side, or the right side. Rad Power Bikes and many Aventon models often place it here. On bikes with a thick head tube (fat-tire e-bikes), the number might be recessed and easier to see from an angle.

Under the Battery

If your e-bike has a removable battery, take it off completely. The serial is often stamped on the frame inside the battery cradle or on the top of the down tube. Be careful: the battery itself may have its own serial number – that number is for the battery pack, not the frame. The frame serial is what the police and warranty departments use.

Seat Tube and Chainstays

The seat tube (the vertical tube that holds the seatpost) sometimes carries the serial near the bottom, especially on models from Juiced Bikes. On some direct-to-consumer brands like KETELES, the number may be on the inside of the left chainstay (the tube that runs from the bottom bracket to the rear wheel). This spot is easy to miss because it faces the wheel, so use a flashlight and angle the bike.

Near the Motor

On hub-motor e-bikes, check the motor casing or the frame near the rear axle. Mid-drive bikes often have the number partially obscured by the motor housing; try to shine light around the motor mount. A number on the motor casing is not the frame serial – it won’t help with theft recovery or most warranty claims, but it can help a dealer identify the model if the frame number is gone.

Step-by-Step: How to Find It

1. Get a flashlight and a rag – Dirt and grease can hide the stamp.

2. Start at the bottom bracket. Turn the bike upside down. Wipe the area clean and inspect every side – top, bottom, left, right.

3. Check the head tube. If not there, examine the seat tube and the inside of the chainstay.

4. Remove the battery and inspect the cradle and the frame underneath.

5. Inspect the motor area – hub-motor bikes: look on the axle flat or motor side plate. Mid-drive: look around the motor mount for a secondary stamp.

6. If the number is faint, rub a piece of white chalk over the area, then wipe gently. The chalk will settle into the engraving and make it readable. Alternatively, use a pencil rubbing with thin paper.

How to Verify You Found the Right Number

Once you locate a string of letters and numbers, check two things:

• Length and format – Typical e-bike serials are 6–15 characters, mixing letters and numbers. They often include a brand code (e.g., “RAD” for Rad Power) and a model year digit.
• Compare to your manual or purchase receipt – Many manufacturers list the serial on the original box, warranty card, or shipping label. If the number you found matches the pattern described in the manual, it’s the frame serial.
• Look for a second number on a sticker or separate plate – Some bikes have both a stamped number and a labeled barcode sticker. The sticker is not always the frame serial (sometimes it’s a part number). If in doubt, contact the brand’s support with a photo.

Brand-Specific Patterns

• Rad Power Bikes – Serial on the left side of the head tube, or on the bottom bracket near the “Rad” logo. Some newer models also have a sticker under the battery.
• Aventon – Usually on the bottom bracket or head tube. For Aventon Level and Pace models, also check the down tube near the battery mount.
• Trek / Specialized – Stamped on the bottom bracket metal. Some Specialized Turbo models place the number under the motor cover.
• Juiced Bikes – Often on the seat tube or the underside of the chainstay. The stamp may be shallow, so use chalk.
• Direct-to-consumer brands (e.g., KETELES, Himiway, Ride1Up) – Typically on the head tube or bottom bracket. If you cannot find it, check the battery cradle and contact customer support with your order number.

What If the Serial Number Is Missing, Worn, or Illegible?

• Contact the manufacturer with proof of purchase and clear photos of the bike (including any remaining stickers, the battery, and the motor). They may have the serial on file from the original sale.
• Check the original box, packing slip, or warranty card – Some brands print the serial on the shipping label.
• Inspect the motor or battery serial – While this isn’t a substitute for the frame number, it can help a dealer or police confirm the bike’s origin if the frame serial is gone.
• If the number appears to have been filed off or painted over, treat the bike with extra caution – it may be stolen. A local bike shop can sometimes expose hidden laser-etched numbers (some frames have a secondary stamp under the paint). Ask before repainting or buying a used e-bike with a blank bottom bracket.

Practical Implication: Why You Should Record It Now

Once you find the serial number, take a clear photo and store it in two separate places (e.g., your phone’s notes app and a text file in a cloud drive). Do not rely on a sticker – stickers fade, peel, or get scratched. If the frame ever gets repainted, the engraved number may still be visible, but a photo is your best backup. Keeping the number recorded speeds up warranty claims, simplifies resale, and gives police a solid match if your bike is stolen.

One Common Mismatch to Watch For

On many e-bikes, you’ll find a battery serial number inside the battery compartment and a frame serial number on the bottom bracket. They are different. The battery number only identifies the battery pack and is useless for theft recovery. Some owners confuse the two, especially if the battery cradle has a large sticker with a barcode. If you’re registering for theft or warranty, always use the frame–stamped number. The motor serial (on hub or mid-drive) is likewise separate – it helps with motor-specific warranty issues but won’t help if someone steals the frame.

Knowing where to look, how to verify the number, and what to do if it’s gone gives you the ability to protect your investment. Make it a habit to record the serial the day you unbox the bike.