Topic: I want to find my bike history!

[mihai.i]

Hi guys,

My name is Mihai, i live in Bucharest, Romania, and i own a 1978 Honda Cb550k in good condition.

I am trying to find the history of my bike, starting from the moment that it was bought till the present time.
The bike was brought in Romania during comunism time, in the 80, and i found out some cool stories about it.
It was owned by 2 brothers that used to race in Bucharest, and it was hidden from the local autorities during comunism times.

So, i need help to find the first owner of the bike in U.S. and the story she had in your contry.

In order to find more i can give you this informations:
- Model Honda CB550k Four 1978
- VIN number: CB550K2103037
- engine number: CB550E-2103003
- dealer: LONG ISLAND HONDA „The Motorcycle Department Store” 250 Old Country Rd. (516) 935-6969 HICKSVILLE, N.Y. 11801
- It still got the last US inspection sticker on the left fork. I will make some photos as soon that i can.

Any help is welcome!

Thanks,
Mihai

Some pics:

[jaguar]

Small world.
Im from long island.
Sorry I cant be of much help though.

Join the NYCVinMoto list.  Long shot, but post up there.

[Stev-o]

Small world, my Mom lived on Long Island [after immigrating from Italia].

You know a lot about the bike already, more that I know about my bikes.

[70CB750]

Seems like the dealer is still there:

http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Honda.of.Long.Island.516-935-6969

[mihai.i]

Seems like the dealer is still there:

http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Honda.of.Long.Island.516-935-6969

I also found that, but except phone number there is nothing about it, and is really difficult to comunicate from Romania to US by the phone with my language skills (if you now what i mean )
Seems that the same number (516-935-6969) is used by another dealer (likawasaki.com) that it still exist in Long Island, but on another street .
 I sent a mail to the likawasaki.com with my info, and i hope they will respond.

Anyway, thank you guys for your feedback!

[70CB750]

Yes, Mihai, I know a thing or two about language barrier

Maybe also ask members here who are from Long Island, nothing like the local to know about a business closing/transfering and such.

[mihai.i]

Yes, Mihai, I know a thing or two about language barrier

Maybe also ask members here who are from Long Island, nothing like the local to know about a business closing/transfering and such.

Soon i will visit Czech Republic an Poland, in june, and i think i will have real problems with language barrier.

As for the story on my bike i will follow @jaguar advise and i will join the NYCVinMoto list. Also i will try to find users from Long Island!
Thanks!

[Johnie]

I think we have a few officers of the law on the boards. Maybe they can run the VIN for you and see what comes up...

[mihai.i]

I think we have a few officers of the law on the boards. Maybe they can run the VIN for you and see what comes up...

That will be great!.. i dont now if you can verify old VIN number.

I put a photo with last New York State inspection sticker (1981)

[Duanob]

By any chance did you look under the seat in the plastic hatch? The only way you will find the history is from paperwork and/or word of mouth from previous owners. When I bought my 550F I found many old yearly registration papers in my hatch. I figured the bike was new in Iowa and sometime in the early 80's it was brought to Washington State where it sat in a barn for many years until the PO I bought it form purchased it and had it for 5 years then he sold it to me. So between paperwork i found and word of mouth from the PO, I cobbled together a decent history of my CB550F.

My 550K I have no idea how it ended up in the hands of that PO but it had been treated like crap until i got it. All I know for sure is it was an Idaho state bike from new from a dealer sticker I found which is where I bought it. 

[mihai.i]

By any chance did you look under the seat in the plastic hatch? The only way you will find the history is from paperwork and/or word of mouth from previous owners. When I bought my 550F I found many old yearly registration papers in my hatch. I figured the bike was new in Iowa and sometime in the early 80's it was brought to Washington State where it sat in a barn for many years until the PO I bought it form purchased it and had it for 5 years then he sold it to me. So between paperwork i found and word of mouth from the PO, I cobbled together a decent history of my CB550F.

My 550K I have no idea how it ended up in the hands of that PO but it had been treated like crap until i got it. All I know for sure is it was an Idaho state bike from new from a dealer sticker I found which is where I bought it.

It was the first place where i looked...but there was nothing about bike history, except a sealed pack with buss fuses
But, i know that the first Romanian owner lives now in U.S. right in New York http://queens.blockshopper.com/property/4070200033/3_81st/

I meet on a trip the old riders guys during comunism that recognized the bike and told me a lot of interesting things about that period on time.

I really hope to find out more about this bike!

[Johnie]

Keep in mind some states registered bikes by the engine number and some by VIN. So if you befriend a policeman in your area maybe you can get him to run both numbers to see if anything comes up. If not maybe try your local DMV. I agree it could be a challenge to find out the info.

[Duanob]

By any chance did you look under the seat in the plastic hatch? The only way you will find the history is from paperwork and/or word of mouth from previous owners. When I bought my 550F I found many old yearly registration papers in my hatch. I figured the bike was new in Iowa and sometime in the early 80's it was brought to Washington State where it sat in a barn for many years until the PO I bought it form purchased it and had it for 5 years then he sold it to me. So between paperwork i found and word of mouth from the PO, I cobbled together a decent history of my CB550F.

My 550K I have no idea how it ended up in the hands of that PO but it had been treated like crap until i got it. All I know for sure is it was an Idaho state bike from new from a dealer sticker I found which is where I bought it.

It was the first place where i looked...but there was nothing about bike history, except a sealed pack with buss fuses
But, i know that the first Romanian owner lives now in U.S. right in New York http://queens.blockshopper.com/property/4070200033/3_81st/

I meet on a trip the old riders guys during comunism that recognized the bike and told me a lot of interesting things about that period on time.

I really hope to find out more about this bike!

That's a start. Maybe send him a letter explaining you bought his old bike and ask what he knows about it like, how long he owned it and if he was the one that exported into Romania. he may even know who he sold it too next. He would probably like hearing from you.

[ken65]

By any chance did you look under the seat in the plastic hatch? The only way you will find the history is from paperwork and/or word of mouth from previous owners. When I bought my 550F I found many old yearly registration papers in my hatch. I figured the bike was new in Iowa and sometime in the early 80's it was brought to Washington State where it sat in a barn for many years until the PO I bought it form purchased it and had it for 5 years then he sold it to me. So between paperwork i found and word of mouth from the PO, I cobbled together a decent history of my CB550F.

 Thats exactly how i found out the history of my bike that was imported in to aust from the states. The  PO left a photocopy of his licence, his insurance papers  and some other details.  Googled his name and turned out to be a retired cop with  a karate training school. E=mailed him and he told me all about the bike, 
He was a good bloke...