New frame registration
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 125
Likes: 91
From: Tullahoma TN
New frame registration
I picked up a '90 sportster yesterday, with the intention of building a little hardtail chopper.
I was initially going to cut the factory frame & use a weld on hardtail, but I also want to increase the rake for a longer front end. That got me to thinking that it would be simpler/cheaper to just buy a 200 XL 40⁰ frame & save myself a bunch of work & headscratching (and having to build a jig)
The frame comes with a 'certificate of origin' & I'm not sure what's involved with getting a title & registration with that. However, the bike I bought has a clean title....
Can I re-stamp the VIN onto the new frame, use the existing title & scrap the old frame? That's what we used to do back in England, years ago.
This will be the first full custom I've built since I moved to the US I've never had to deal with this before.
I was initially going to cut the factory frame & use a weld on hardtail, but I also want to increase the rake for a longer front end. That got me to thinking that it would be simpler/cheaper to just buy a 200 XL 40⁰ frame & save myself a bunch of work & headscratching (and having to build a jig)
The frame comes with a 'certificate of origin' & I'm not sure what's involved with getting a title & registration with that. However, the bike I bought has a clean title....
Can I re-stamp the VIN onto the new frame, use the existing title & scrap the old frame? That's what we used to do back in England, years ago.
This will be the first full custom I've built since I moved to the US I've never had to deal with this before.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3,281
Likes: 2,076
From: Masshole
Can't speak for TN but in MA they assign a state VIN to the build. Need to bring the bike, all paperwork (receipts, previous title, MSO's etc) to the state police. They review everything and give you a new VIN for the RMV to use.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,499
Likes: 7,798
From: Long Island, New York
You need to discuss with your state DMV. You really do not want a "Custom" title, makes insurance more expensive and resale value get hurt. What would DMV do if you were in an accident and the frame needed to be replaced? Lots of guys modify their existing frames just to avoid these issues, that would be my course of action, lots of aftermarket support for Sporty frames, good luck.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,353
Likes: 2,568
From: Milwaukee, WI
Every States DMV treats this process a little different, and the easiest solution is always to keep a HD vin. Contact the local DMV first
For your own use, just cutting out the Vin portion of the legal frame and grafting that section into the custom frame. It’s probably quasi legal, probably no issues until you sell it or something.
is there any exemptions for older stuff? My current state Wisconsin has special plates for collector vehicles and Hot Rod type vehicles
For your own use, just cutting out the Vin portion of the legal frame and grafting that section into the custom frame. It’s probably quasi legal, probably no issues until you sell it or something.
is there any exemptions for older stuff? My current state Wisconsin has special plates for collector vehicles and Hot Rod type vehicles
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 33
From: Illinois
decision time
I don't know about Tennessee, but I went through someting kind of similar in Illinois. In 1996 I needed to title a bike I built from all-new parts (including the engine). Paughco rigid frame (with Manufacturer's Statement of Origin), springer front end, a brand new Evo motor (with Certificate of Origin) & a used 4-speed that I had Kirby Apathy at Vee Twin in Mundelein rebuild.
To title it, the state police had to come over & inspect it before anything else, which meant I had to temporarily rig up a few parts I wasn't planning on actually using, like turn signals & a horn. I also shoved some old baffles in the 2" drag pipes so they wouldn't give me any **** about that either. The cop came over & looked at it, had me start it & then examined all my paperwork. I believe after that he proceeded to "stamp" my frames neck area with my new VIN, which starts with "SOS" (for Secretary of State). He did a sloppy job & screwed up a little area of the powder coated frame, but I had a title in about 3 weeks. It may be different now, I dunno. Point is, I didn't have an HD VIN because I never had an original frame with a VIN to start with, so you may need to consider that if you buy a frame.
Now in 2007, I was hit by a cager on a Softail I had and it required a new, HD frame. Harley would stamp my existing VIN into that new frame before sending it to me, but NOT before we cut the old VIN off & sent it to them. This ensures that the VIN is not on 2 bikes at once. I still have that old Softail frame laying around with a section removed up near the neck.
If I was you & really wanted to retain a Harley VIN, I would mod the existing frame. If you're building something really wild & just can't use it then be prepared to possibly NOT have an HD VIN, but each state may be different.
Good luck.
To title it, the state police had to come over & inspect it before anything else, which meant I had to temporarily rig up a few parts I wasn't planning on actually using, like turn signals & a horn. I also shoved some old baffles in the 2" drag pipes so they wouldn't give me any **** about that either. The cop came over & looked at it, had me start it & then examined all my paperwork. I believe after that he proceeded to "stamp" my frames neck area with my new VIN, which starts with "SOS" (for Secretary of State). He did a sloppy job & screwed up a little area of the powder coated frame, but I had a title in about 3 weeks. It may be different now, I dunno. Point is, I didn't have an HD VIN because I never had an original frame with a VIN to start with, so you may need to consider that if you buy a frame.
Now in 2007, I was hit by a cager on a Softail I had and it required a new, HD frame. Harley would stamp my existing VIN into that new frame before sending it to me, but NOT before we cut the old VIN off & sent it to them. This ensures that the VIN is not on 2 bikes at once. I still have that old Softail frame laying around with a section removed up near the neck.
If I was you & really wanted to retain a Harley VIN, I would mod the existing frame. If you're building something really wild & just can't use it then be prepared to possibly NOT have an HD VIN, but each state may be different.
Good luck.
Last edited by TW; Jul 23, 2024 at 02:13 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 22,998
Likes: 11,439
Long as you have Manufacturer's Statement of Origin there should not be any issues with getting a legit Title. Passing any require inspections could be another story.
Lights and all that will have to meet current regulations. Depending on how picky they get require reflectors may need to be in place.
Good luck with your project. Post pictures of the project.
Lights and all that will have to meet current regulations. Depending on how picky they get require reflectors may need to be in place.
Good luck with your project. Post pictures of the project.
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