Apprecate any info with my problem - I bought a 1959 HD in 1978 in Arizona and was transfered (USMC)to california in 1982 - In 1982 I went to the Cal DMV to regester my Pan and was given a new title that showed my correct motor serial number and a raised frame ebossing number that was located on the back part of the frame - as a new VIN on the VIN section of the titile - I didnt catch this DMV error till years later - I'm bother by the fact that the Cal DMV offical made a mistake by listing that bogus frame part number as my VIN - So do I go back to DMV and tell them to remove the VIN? or do I just suck it up and continue to run with a title that shows a correct motor serial number and an incorrect VIN number(embossed frame number). my gut feeling is that its only a matter of time that a CHP officer pulls me over that knows/understand that 1959 Harley's only had engine serial numbers and possibly inpounds my bike - or do i go to DMV only for them to have me go to CHP and get blue sticker/new assigned VIN that will devalue my bike. if anyone out there could steer me the right way/would be apprcated.

 

stressing about winding up with a NEW Vin title and subsaquintly devaluing my 59 Pan. Heres a break down of thins to do1) go to Az DMV and Cal DMV and ask for a certified copy of my original Az title that I gave the Cal DMV in 1982 (2) look around for a DMV service that specializes in Old Harleys to represent me with providing me a sanity check with my options before I go to the CHP or DMV officials (3) make laison with a knowledable AAA supervisor or clerk that might be willing to assist me with getting my title corrected to only show the engine serial number(4)dig up all of my past registartion documents for my Pan and build a binder with all supporting documents. (5) read all of the Cal DMV referances that speaks about VIN corrections etc.(6) remove the engine skid plate and document the bottom engine case numbers along with the tranny belly numbers. once all of this is done rethink the situation and determin if the RISK is worth proceeding. My gut feeling is to get this corrected - I've looked at my bikes neck area and there is no numbers like other HD's - I'll measure the thickness and compare with other stock 58-64 HD necks to be sure no modifications were done. I've owned my pan for 33 years (3yr's AZ and 30 yr's Ca) and feel that I need to get this resolved now knowing that my pink has an erroniuos VIN. I remember the DMV clerk kept telling me in 1982 that all bikes had VIN's and mine was no exceptions - he finally documented one of the frame embossed numbers and said ok this will work and I never thought for one bit that he was incorrect. I was 19 years old then. I had no clue that older harleys only had engine serial numbers. as per; Bruce Palmers Authentic Restoration Guilde, Harley Davidsion operation manales and even Cal DMV PTF files. If anyone has any other gouge for me or my plan of action - please fire away. PS I'm a disabled Marine from this last barn dance in IRAQ - and my days are numbered here on mother green - my motivation in getting this corrected is so that I may hand my old pan to my grandson before I chop out. thanks again!