Plated Bike Question

Started by witdogg, Nov 13 2008 12:20 AM
13 replies to this topic

  • witdogg

Posted 13 November 2008 - 12:20 AM

#1


Let's say you have a California plated bike and you need to change out the frame due to it being bent, what is the law about swapping frames? Does it have to be same make, model, and year or just same year or just the same model and any year???

Anyone have any knowledge of the laws here?

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  • reconranger

Posted 13 November 2008 - 05:04 AM

#2

The VIN is stamped on the head of the frame and that is what defines it as a vehicle, so I would assume that this would be considered a whole new bike (????). In other words, the bike is the frame, no mater what engine or other components you swap in or out of it.

  • Birdy426

Posted 13 November 2008 - 05:47 AM

#3

Same model, same year. Go to the DMV and complete a "Statement of Facts" form that says you replaced frame VIN XXXXXXXXXX with frame VIN YYYYYYYYYYY (the model and year are reflected in the VIN). They will issue a new title and registration reflecting the new VIN. If your bike was plated before the Feb 04 "deadline" you should be fine. If it was plated thru the cracks after the deadline, there's a chance you will lose your plate.

  • Mike in Fresno

Posted 13 November 2008 - 06:36 AM

#4

or get a new replacement from KTM with the same numbers on it.

  • cleonard

Posted 13 November 2008 - 07:35 AM

#5

reconranger said:

The VIN is stamped on the head of the frame and that is what defines it as a vehicle, so I would assume that this would be considered a whole new bike (????). In other words, the bike is the frame, no mater what engine or other components you swap in or out of it.

Birdy426 said:

Same model, same year. Go to the DMV and complete a "Statement of Facts" form that says you replaced frame VIN XXXXXXXXXX with frame VIN YYYYYYYYYYY (the model and year are reflected in the VIN). They will issue a new title and registration reflecting the new VIN. If your bike was plated before the Feb 04 "deadline" you should be fine. If it was plated thru the cracks after the deadline, there's a chance you will lose your plate.

Does anyone have personal knowledge about this? It is my understanding from reading the available DMV info that the plate could be pulled if this is done. It used to be possible to do the frame switch thing, but that was before 2004. Today they pull every plate that they can for any reason. From what I have gathered even am engine number change is grounds for pulling the plate.

Now I could be wrong. I'm no lawyer and I don't even play one on TV. Most of the above is based on things that I have heard, and trying to read state documents.

  • Dust_Devil

Posted 13 November 2008 - 09:02 AM

#6

OK think "custom chopper"


Now how can anyone put one of these together from parts ordered from a magazine and then get a plate... no CARB, no EPA , no nothing and get a plate.


So Im thinkin...


WHy not just buy two bikes of the same year, one of which is "totaled" with a salvage title. In theory all one would have to do is have a new VIN attached (much like if you build a trailer) to the frame and swap parts.. BAM instant custom build ready to plate.

Or am I dreaming.... :)

  • damone

Posted 13 November 2008 - 09:49 AM

#7

Dust_Devil said:

OK think "custom chopper"


Now how can anyone put one of these together from parts ordered from a magazine and then get a plate... no CARB, no EPA , no nothing and get a plate.


So Im thinkin...


WHy not just buy two bikes of the same year, one of which is "totaled" with a salvage title. In theory all one would have to do is have a new VIN attached (much like if you build a trailer) to the frame and swap parts.. BAM instant custom build ready to plate.

Or am I dreaming.... :)

Sounds right to me.

  • SBtrailrider

Posted 13 November 2008 - 10:17 AM

#8

Contact the manufacturer. Usually, you can send in your old frame and buy a new one with the same VIN (or just cut off your headtube and send it in to save on shipping).

  • Border Patrol

Posted 13 November 2008 - 04:31 PM

#9

I needed to swap a frame a few years ago on a Kawi triple and they called it a special contruction. I think it was a '72 frame and a '70 engine case lost chain of title, etc. etc. Your situation does not sound all that different. It required a vin inspection at DMV a vehicle inspection at CPH. Paid some money, signed some papers and it was all legit.

  • LTK300

Posted 13 November 2008 - 05:22 PM

#10

I say swap out the frame and don't worry about it. Or get the existing frame straightened. It can be done.

  • witdogg

Posted 13 November 2008 - 06:03 PM

#11

Dust_Devil said:

OK think "custom chopper"

Now how can anyone put one of these together from parts ordered from a magazine and then get a plate... no CARB, no EPA , no nothing and get a plate.

So Im thinkin...

WHy not just buy two bikes of the same year, one of which is "totaled" with a salvage title. In theory all one would have to do is have a new VIN attached (much like if you build a trailer) to the frame and swap parts.. BAM instant custom build ready to plate.

Or am I dreaming.... :)

You make a good point. Why can't I just buy a frame of any year and register it as a "custom"??? The chopper crowd does it???

  • Mike in Fresno

Posted 13 November 2008 - 09:33 PM

#12

you can, its a special construction. Word on the net is that you can only do this "ONE" time tho. Dont know if that is true or not. If it is true then reg it in your mom's name or wife or whatever so you can still build more later,then transfer it in a family tax free trans. Then finally using your own name at some point to build one straight up.

  • Dust_Devil

Posted 14 November 2008 - 07:38 AM

#13

LTK300 said:

I say swap out the frame and don't worry about it. Or get the existing frame straightened. It can be done.

There is no bent frame.

Just trying to get plated, if I have to use two bikes to get it done so be it.

  • Border Patrol

Posted 14 November 2008 - 03:17 PM

#14

LTK300 said:

I say swap out the frame and don't worry about it. Or get the existing frame straightened. It can be done.

That's what sent me to DMV (and court) in the first place. I got pinched for speeding and the cop noticed the '72 frame with '70 year model paperwork.

I sure see lots of 450x's with plates these days somebody's pushing them through. If I had know it was so easy I never would have bought the 650L. Might have even plated the XR6



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