Shovelhead VIN Issue
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 29
Likes: 1
From: Fort Wayne, IN
FIRST let me state that I am a retired police officer and don't think you have that big of a problem. If the VIN on the paper work matches the VIN on the side of the motor case and it has not been altered or looks like it has, then most officers will just compare those two numbers and then let it go, unless they cause to think something else. 1981 was a long time ago, and if they should ask about a frame number, just say that you don't know where it is on this frame. There is no reason for anyone to pursue it further. Back in my day with the shovel heads, the case number was what was used as the VIN, and was what was checked first. Yes there would be a VIN stamped into the frame, but it wasn't uniform in location and they didn't use the stick on VIN's back then., not sure when they changed over. No one will check any further on a bike that old, I would not worry about, as long as you have title and plates your good to go.
Last edited by Namvet1966; Jun 22, 2014 at 08:05 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 21
From: Delaware
Here in Delaware the state troopers set aside time to legitimize that sort of thing at motor vehicles. If you have a clear title and bill of sale it's nothing to stress over to get it done. Explain the bike was totalled and someone put the motor in a straight frame.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,741
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
The problem is, the bike is titled to the frame and not the motor. You can swap motors all day long but once you alter or swap the frame, legally, it's a different bike. Stamping your own numbers on a frame can land you serious hot water. Each state has it's own way of doing/looking at this kind of stuff so they're the ones to get advice from. In Jersey? I got rid of the bike. Just too much hassle to deal with.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,741
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,126
Likes: 51,453
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Do the engine numbers match whats on the title ? Is there any kind of stamped in numbers or a tag of some kind on the frame ? If so do they match the title ? Answers no to these your gonna hate life when the cops see it ....
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Cant get the car back. Deal is a deal. There's got to be a loophole around this. In all honestly, I trust the seller. He's a straight up and down square guy. Had the bike himself for about two years and never thought anything about the problem. Lots of work done on it by a legit shop (the bike is there right now). Pretty sweet bike for an oldie. I got a little blinded due to the fact its my first harley. Got to be a way around this issue.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Engine case matches the title but there is a small patch job on the case (doesnt leak currently). Im just worried that if I ever have to buy a new case then nothing will match the title. Can I buy a new frame and just retitle this sucker ? Buy a old harley frame with title and swap everything over? The mechanic at another shop told me to stamp it myself. (I know its illegal). He says they stamp their own frames rather than get that rivoted plate from the state barracks because its a lot of hoops to jump through.
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Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
FIRST let me state that I am a retired police officer and don't think you have that big of a problem. If the VIN on the paper work matches the VIN on the side of the motor case and it has not been altered or looks like it has, then most officers will just compare those two numbers and then let it go, unless they cause to think something else. 1981 was a long time ago, and if they should ask about a frame number, just say that you don't know where it is on this frame. There is no reason for anyone to pursue it further. Back in my day with the shovel heads, the case number was what was used as the VIN, and was what was checked first. Yes there would be a VIN stamped into the frame, but it wasn't uniform in location and they didn't use the stick on VIN's back then., not sure when they changed over. No one will check any further on a bike that old, I would not worry about, as long as you have title and plates your good to go.
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
The problem is, the bike is titled to the frame and not the motor. You can swap motors all day long but once you alter or swap the frame, legally, it's a different bike. Stamping your own numbers on a frame can land you serious hot water. Each state has it's own way of doing/looking at this kind of stuff so they're the ones to get advice from. In Jersey? I got rid of the bike. Just too much hassle to deal with.