frame number

[Chrisf1]

Hi everyone I have been offered a project motorcycle as most of you will be disappointed to hear ( I hope) I may go over to the dark side with a pre unit triton !!! anyway the problem is that the bike is unregistered and no frame numbers. I have no doubt that the person who I am getting it from is honest and trustworthy but the problem is the history of the bike is not known and the frame numbers being missing which probably translates to ground off will leave me with a problem registering it could anyone advise me how I can register this bike without going to a hardware shop and hiring a set of stamps I would be very interested  in finding out about this because I have come across this several times during my biking history and have always walked away from the deal This is a lot more complicated than it was back in the day with our new fangled DVLA and if I were to go for this what kind of hoops will the DVLA want me to jump through and would I eventually get a frame number allocated to the project or do they leave it blank, I have often seen unregistered bikes without numbers for sale on EBay and I am sure they are not all thieves who wish to advertise they are in possession of a stolen frame and or parts, I may even walk away from it this time depending on how much aggravation this will cause without the problems the bike has which will require a total rebuild anyway look forward to hearing  what I can expect bye for now Chris

[bsa- bill]

Could  be a replacement frame (crash damage) in which case numbers where not always present

[Goldy]

Like you I have always avoided these things as they seem complex. The guy who does the "unearthed" section in Old Bike Mart seems to sort these out with ease have a word with him.
Mike Worthington-Williams
The Old Schoolroom
Newcastle Emlyn
Carmarthenshire SA38 9JL
 email worthycomments@btconnect.com

[jfligg]

Can you use the engine number to register it?  Jeff

[Topdad]

Hi Chris, I built my A10 from bits, basically some of my old A7SS ,(no log book) and in any case many years after DVLA. So had to register. I got an age related number without to much hassle with the help of the owners club and therein Ithink, lays your potential problems. first no back up from affiated club to confirm what you are doing and when I MOT'ed my bike ,which you have to have before it can be given a number ,I used the frame number then re mot'ed it when I'd been given a  reg number by the local Dvla . I hate to be negative but I'd way up carefully before parting with cash and also the Guy mentioned by Goldie is a goldmine of knowledge about this whole area I would def give him an e-mail, best of luck Bob H.

[Pete Gray]

I had quite an issue with mine at the first of the new MOT's when I discovered that the frame number differed from that on the old log book. I decided to ask DVLA to change it on the V5 only to be told that it would mean losing my registration number and being issued with a non transferable date related number instead -
The rather nice, and Sheffield issued, number as 777AWA not being something I wanted to lose after owning the bike for 30 years or so.

Anyway after seeking advice from Mr Worthington-Williams, and paying him for a dating certiificate in which he details the bike as a 57, not 61 as I've always known it, I ended up in a protracted debate and many letters with DVLA who eventually conceded and I kept the reg number with the frame number amended on the V5.
The DVLA sent an inspector to my house to view the bike and I think the change of heart was in part due to his sympathetic understanding and my evidence to show possesion of the bike over those 30 years.

THis wasn't at all straightforward and I think your proposed unidentifiable frame might cause all sorts of problems. The DVLA said that in effect, the frame is the bikes identity, the engine number being almost irrelevant in terms of registration.

[Goldy]

Yes Pete I think the frame number is treated the same as the VIN number for a car.