Topic: Am I required to notify DMV when engine swapped?

[leogriss]

First, I apologize if this issue has been covered before, but I couldn't find it.


I'm a CB350 owner in CA with a title under my name, and the registration indicates both my frame number and engine number.

If I'm thinking of swapping the engine to a cb400f engine, should I go to DMV and tell them I switched my engine?

Any experience or help will be appreciated.

Ride safely!

[bollingball]

It is different from state to state NC title goes with the frame. call CA dmv they will tell you but I'm guessing the motor does not matter.

[TrueSpin]

My understanding of laws regarding engine swaps is this: It must be a newer engine with better fuel economy/emissions.

I guess as long as the 450 swap is from a newer model bike you should be fine, assuming your 350 frame is from 1974 or newer. If it's earlier, I believe you are exempt.

This is my understanding of engine swap laws for cars, and I can only assume it is the same for bikes (yes, in California).

[domer]

I'd go to the dmv, just cause its on your pink... if it wasnt, it doesnt matter. the motor and frame numbers dont match anyway. Or even better, if you havent owned it for many years... just tell em you noticed the motor numbers on your title are wrong, and being the good citizen you are, you had to set it straight. Cant see why it wouldnt work, considering they had my motor # as my frame for 2 years before i figured it out.... changed it with out hassle.

[WarwickE36]

Just curious do Cops in CA even know what a motor VIN# is... here in Maine cops are considered smart if they remember to check for a State Inspection if they ever pull you over... which they never do unless your doing 30 over.

I understand wanting to do things letter of the law, its not a bad thing. But in regard to registration would they even notice if you kept using the old motor VIN?  Do they check the motor VIN when doing a State Inspection?

I dont have a State Inspection on my bike.  I will pay the fine if they remember to ask... Im sure they can total up more than $130 of work that could be done to make my bike safe...i.e relocate license plate to a "safe" location 

[domer]

No state inspections here    but an abundance of stolen bikes, so every once in a while you might get every number on the bike run throught the system. found this out at a d.u.i. checkpoint. So chances of them ever giving a damn about the motor number not matching are pretty slim. but im pretty slim, so i'd do it 

[pat english]

yeah its going to be a special construction though..you gotta putt the same modle engine in..

and they dont care if its newer or not..i just got a vin verifcation done yesterday.im putting a 71 motor in a 76 frame...the cops dont care..california has no emission laws for bikes..(well maybe they do,but you dont have to smog motorcycles)

you might be able to get away with the swap though..if both engine numbers start with "cb"..you might be ok...

also,if youre bike has current tags.or if it is still in the dmvs system.it does not require a vin verification.so you could do the motor swap and just not tell the dmv..i talked to a cop about this yesterday and he said"honestly,cops dont check engine numbers,we check frame numbers"..

[leogriss]

I think it's better for me to just stop by a DMV and figure it out! thank you for all the comments!

[pat english]

right on.let us know how it goes..

[phil71]

prepare yourself for a wonderfully baffled look from your local DMV clerk. Take a picture even!