In 1990 Cycles Peugeot changed over from white labels on the chain stay to barcode labels on the under side of the down tube.

The bar code labels included three items: top line of text for bicycle information, middle barcode, and bottom line serial number.

The barcode number is 12 digits in length. The number is in part a continuation of the serial number sequence from the white labels of the 1980s, with some extentions. The extensions are in three parts: a two digit prefix, followed by two “0” to fill positons and a final digit added to the end. The seven digits between the first for digits and the last digit start sequence numbering from where the white label sequence numbers ended, with some overlap exceptions in 1990.

The prefix two digits started as 51, then 55 was mixed in, then 60 and 70 were mixed in. There are also a few 53, 54, 56, 57, 71. I do not know what the prefix is for and I have not seen a pattern.

The serial number is expanded to eight characters, with a potentially 10 charaters.

The bicycle information on the top line is 16 characters in length.

    01 - 06   Model designation          
    07          ?               
    08         for model Year?
    09 - 10   Country code
    11   12   size               
    13        colour letter     
    14        colour letter2    
    15          ?                
    16         A.    rarely used

Position 7:

Mostly the letter “B” 1990 and 1991. Mostly the letter “P” for 1992. Mostly the letter “X” in 1993.Not used after 1993. This is when Cycleurope management scheme may have started.

Position 8: Letter for model year? This is a guess, as there are a few inconsistencies.

Y = 1990
N = 1991
C = 1992
3 = 1993
E = 1993 Cycleurope
F = 1994
K = 1995
P = 1996
U = 1997
V = 1998 – 1999

Position 9 – 10: Country code

BG, DE, FR, GB, UA, UA.

Postion 11 – 12: Frame size in centimeters.

Position 13: Alphabetic colour code. Based on French language colour names up to 1993.
Mixed characters for colour scheme starting in 1994, management under Cycleurope.

Position 14: Also part of the colour code?

Position 15: ? Possibly part of the colour code, but I do not think so.

Position 16: Rarely used. Letter “A” is here rarely.