Topic: is it illegal to remove the VIN tag for powdercoating the frame?

[mylittleho]

is it illegal to remove the VIN tag for powdercoating the frame? As in drilling the rivet and re riveting it back on after powdercoating? Would new rivets on an old VIN plate throw any red flags at the DMV?

and if not.. what keeps people from swapping the VIN from a old frame onto a newer frame as long as the VIN matches the motor??? besides ethics...

[SteveD CB500F]

A1:  I don't think it is illegal as my 550K3 has been restored like this. It passes MOT (our annual inspection) and they always check the VIN.  My plate has been screwed back on with some small chrome self-tappers.

A2:  Nothin!  There aren't many of these bikes in the UK so I guess there's not the market for ripped off 550 VIN plates (?)

[Dave Wyatt]

In the US, it is illegal to remove VIN tags.  Not that it stops folks from doing it, but it is illegal.  Call your local police and see what they have to say.

[Lumbee]

...the VIN is stamped on the frame underneath the plate on top.  So you could just  leave the plate off after powder coating.  Just besure the powder coat isn't so thick as to completely cover the number stamped on the frame.

[eldar]

I think most police do not care about tag removal if it is placed back on. Most would not even know it was removed anyways if put back on.

[dusterdude]

eladr,you right,99 percent of em dont know what the hell they are looking at anyway

[Steve F]

The VIN stamped into the frame neck is all that you NEED.  That aluminum plate I wouldn't consider necessary, unless they want to know what model it is and the date on manf. which can be derived by the VIN anyway.  That plate is what I consider a "convenience".

[Geeto67]

The front plate is not the vin tag by which the vehcile is registered, the stamped number is, therefore removing that plate is NOT illegal, provided your intent is to put it back on the bike and not to commit fraud with it by affixing it to another bike. Each state has different laws, but generally I have found that most states regard the stamped vin as the registration vin and the plate a data plate required the federal government to make sure the vehcile meets manufacturing regulations. The automotive equilivaent would be a trim tag ytou find on most american cars.

I thought the plate was affixed by tiny screws, but so long as you get the original style fastners who is going to care?

[Jonesy]

I should think officials would go by the stamped VIN number on the headstock. Someone can swap VIN plates, but the stamped numbers can't easily be altered.

[jtb]

No one gave mine a second look when I registered it.  I had removed the tag and riveted it back on.  The rivets are not OEM.

John

[mrblasty]

Oregon didn't even look at mine when I transfered the title.

[Faust]

Cruise the car sites. There are people in the business of producing OEM rivets.

[Phaedrus]

Here in Texas the county tax assessor did not look at my bike vin either when I registered it.  Heck, even when I got it inspected the inspector did not look at the vin plate, and the inspectors always look at the plate on my '80 CJ7 jeep (I know cause it is under the hood and I always have to point it out to them.)

[jsaab2748]

Your engine number will more than likely be different than your frame number, even if the bike is all original. Frame and engine numbers almost always differ by a hundred or so. Your TAG number on the right side of the neck should MATCH the STAMPED number on the opposite side of the neck.
I once read on the old sohc board that the rivets could be removed and reused with the original tag after frame restoration, if done carefully. If you don't remove the tag, tape it up good.

[seaweb11]

When my frame was powder coated, they simpley taped it off.  It turned out fine

[cbjunkie]

hell i rode around saint louis without a damn liscense plate for 5 months...

that registration sh!t is for birds and Harley owners...

[Dennis]

hell i rode around saint louis without a damn liscense plate for 5 months...

 

5 months?
I wouldn't get 5 blocks around here!!

But then there are 5 small town police departments within a few miles of each other in this area that seem to think that their job is harrassing motorists rather than serving the public.
When I lived in the city I NEVER saw the #$%* I see the police pulling around here!

[mrbreeze]

Well you got my curiousity so I just got back from the garage to do a VIN check.Mine is CB750-2519782.I looked on the other side of the neck for the stamped # and it matched.Now as far as the engine # being close to the frame #, I am wondering. I have heard the frame & eng. # would differ by 100,maybe 1000 #'s. My engine is CB750E-2400693. Makes me wonder if this the original motor although I have owned for 5 years & when I got it only had 14K miles(Now has 19K).