Author Topic: VIN Number Issues? (Strange) (Read 4364 times)

BigBoi · « **on:** October 13, 2009, 09:13:22 PM »

Hey all,

Bought my 750K2 (or so I believe!) this past weekend. Bought it off a guy for 700$. Didn't check the VIN number on the neck before I bought it, but it was sold with the Ontario registration signed. He also gave me a bunch of extra parts that went with it.

Now here's the thing...I transferred the ownership into my name, no issues. However, I took a lot of the bike apart this weekend and there's no VIN number on the bike anywhere. I've even sanded down some of the paint on the neck to see if I could see some etching anywhere. Nothing. There is a VIN on the engine and it is from a '72...but that doesn't match the VIN number on the registration. Also, the title says the bike was originally silver, now it has a bad black paint job, so I scratched off some of the paint to see if I could find some silver, but I only found some candy green. At this point I'm concerned that it's stolen. What can I do? Who do I contact? I'm in Ottawa, Ontario.

Cheers,

the technological J · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2009, 09:26:16 PM »

there should be some stamps on the left side of the neck if for some reason thier filed off id look into what steps can be taken to remedy the situation.. a good place to start would be a chopper shop (in my opinion) they could point u on the right direction... the last option that comes to mind would be to stamp it your self but it would take some serious punching with some kind of die... but hold tight i think u will hear more from people who might know for sure other than my guesses at what u can do.. good luck

mick7504 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2009, 09:29:59 PM »

Hate to say it but sounds as though you might have a "hotty" there.
I guess that all you can do is approach the guy and ask for an explanation.
I don't know how the system works there but I would imagine that it would be similar to here in Oz.
If you can't get a reasonable explanation then you really have no choice than to speak with the Feds.
At least you have your arse covered then.
They can't hang you for being truthfull.
Hope it all works out ok for you and good luck.

myhondas · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2009, 10:09:57 PM »

The vin tag is on the right side of the neck and the frame stamp is on the left side of the neck. If there is no stamp on the left, it would be a factory replacement frame. Engine #'s do not match frame #'s. They are usually close, but do not match. The color on the title/registration would be the color of the tank and side covers, not the frame. Silver was only sold in Japan, but some have found their way to the US. If it is a Japanese bike, it would not have the vin tag on the right side as that was only done for US bikes. Take some pics and post them here and we'll see what you have.

Steve F · « **Reply #4 on:** October 14, 2009, 06:38:18 AM »

Well, I think that if you can't find any numbers stamped into the LEFT side of the neck, go get yourself a set of stamps and stamp whatever number is on the title so everything matches just to keep things legal.

BigBoi · « **Reply #5 on:** October 14, 2009, 06:55:23 AM »

Hey all,

I had the local police come out this morning to file a report. I showed them the bike and the registration info. Right now, the VIN that is on the registration isn't coming back stolen on either the Quebec or Ontario side. They can't search by engine VIN so right now the bike sits the way it is. Although this is good news, my only concern is that I'll rebuild the bike, and then it will be reported stolen and I'll have to give it up.

kopptl · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2009, 07:43:04 AM »

i have a similar problem with noneck stmp. i havent figured out anything yet. but seems to be ok thus far!

ColinMc · « **Reply #7 on:** October 14, 2009, 07:48:31 AM »

I think you got the police involved a little soon on this one...I guess it can't hurt but if you lose a bike that really isn't stolen that's gonna stink. Would love to see a pic of both sides of the neck on the frame...that way some forum members can give you input on it. it's really easy to fill in the VIN numbers on the frame with paint, so sanding down won't always expose them unless you get it right down to bare metal so you can see the letters filled with primer...but I also hate to have you sand paint off of a perfectly good frame lol.

What did the police tell you could happen from here?

Steve F · « **Reply #8 on:** October 14, 2009, 09:45:45 AM »

Is the VIN on the title a legit HONDA serial/VIN for the year and model bike you have?

BigBoi · « **Reply #9 on:** October 14, 2009, 06:27:38 PM »

Gentlemen,

First, thanks for all your replies. I've now sorted everything out, and I have to say I have a large smile on my face. I managed to speak to the previous owner of the bike (guy that was on the registration before me), and he assured me that he sold the bike to the guy I bought it from. What had happened is that it was a cross-province issue. When the guy sold me the bike, he gave me the Ontario registration from the previous owner before him (the guy I spoke to on the phone), not the Quebec registration in his own name (Where I bought it from). I'm certain he did this for ease of transfer. Anyway, that coupled with the lack of VIN number on the frame is what made me concerned about the legitimacy of the bike and thus call the police.

I still have no VIN number on the frame, but that's the least of my concerns now. I have a registered bike in my name that isn't stolen. I've attached some pictures of the neck for you guys (as requested!), the third picture is a marking under the seat behind the battery, it's simply "1515"...not sure if it's anything. Sorry for the poor quality...phone isn't the best.

Also, FYI...the previous owner also informed me that it has a big bore kit.

Cheers!

BigBoi · « **Reply #10 on:** October 14, 2009, 06:36:53 PM »

Oh...and Steve, yes the VIN registered and the engine VIN are both valid for 1972 CB750s.

MCRider · « **Reply #11 on:** October 14, 2009, 06:38:57 PM »

There is some "CSI" type method for raising the numbers if they were ground off. Some mild acid or such will expose the ghost of the numbers as the metal is deformed deeper than the physical imprint. They do it with stolen guns too. A google would probably find it.

But I'm of the mind that its a replacement frame. Either way, I've seen mechanics with stamp sets so they do exist and you can stamp you own.

You'll get to "birth your own baby".

mick7504 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 14, 2009, 07:38:46 PM »

GOOD ONE

HawaiiMike · « **Reply #13 on:** October 14, 2009, 10:35:05 PM »

There's an easier way to solve the problem. Get metal stamps and punch the VIN numbers on the frame. Use masking tape to shape a box where the numbers will go so that they line up correctly.

Let's just say I know someone who did it before. The metal stamps were borrowed from a guy that does metalwork for a living. The owner's bike had a bent frame and he bought a bare frame with an out of state title. The owner was unable to title the bike in Hawaii with the replacement frame even though he had the title. So he filed the numbers off and stamped the numbers from the bent frame.

The bike with the replacement frame looked fine, passed inspection and everything is cool.

ColinMc · « **Reply #14 on:** October 15, 2009, 06:50:48 AM »

Any machine shop should have the stamps for doing that type of thing...make some friends with someone at a local one lol.

BigBoi · « **Reply #15 on:** October 15, 2009, 07:44:33 AM »

What size are the letters and numbers guys? I'm going stamp the frame after I paint it since it's all legitimate (it's blank anyway) and I don't run into any more issues. Princess auto has a few different sizes, 5/16 & 1/4.

Steve F · « **Reply #16 on:** October 15, 2009, 02:00:47 PM »

Quote from: BigBoi on October 15, 2009, 07:44:33 AM

What size are the letters and numbers guys? I'm going stamp the frame after I paint it since it's all legitimate (it's blank anyway) and I don't run into any more issues. Princess auto has a few different sizes, 5/16 & 1/4.

Stamp it before you paint it, you'll still see the numbers just fine unless you Bondo over them or something. Even if you have the frame powder coated, you can have the sprayer go "light" in that area so the stamped numbers don't get filled in. Stamping over a pre-painted area will chip the paint off.

myhondas · « **Reply #17 on:** October 15, 2009, 02:03:29 PM »

use the 1/4" stamps

BigBoi · « **Reply #18 on:** October 15, 2009, 02:47:07 PM »

Thanks for the info guys. I'm planning on using POR-15 on the frame. The version with the UV protectant. I'll stamp it before I paint it over. Thanks!

ColinMc · « **Reply #19 on:** October 15, 2009, 03:37:47 PM »

Wait...you mean POR15 topcoat then? That doesn't have the same kind of rust protection that the POR15 rust coating does...it's just POR15 brand top coat that's all...meant to go OVER regular POR15.

BigBoi · « **Reply #20 on:** October 15, 2009, 08:10:28 PM »

Sorry Colin...that's what I meant. I'm coating the frame with regular POR-15 then going over with the topcoat for fade protection.

ColinMc · « **Reply #21 on:** October 16, 2009, 06:01:40 AM »

Haha, no worries...was just double checking

Good stuff, I like to use foam brushes so bristles don't come off in the paint, and it seems to level out a little better too.

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Author Topic: VIN Number Issues? (Strange) (Read 4364 times)