Stolen Frame - Buying

[wigs_1]

Advice needed please.

I am after a new frame, I have found one on ebay.
There is no number on the frame.
The guy has told me that the bike was stolen 3 years ago and when he got it the frame no was missing.

I'm not entirely sure of all the details but it sounds legit, like a returned stolen / recovered (I've no intentions of 'handling stolen goods').

Whilst the 'previosly stolen' part does not bother me too much, what do I do with a bike with no frame no? As its riveted on, can I take the number off my old frame? If not, what do I tell the DVLA? Will they give me a new number? Or is this all a bit too dodgy and I should look elsewhere?

Cheers, Chris

[Treadtrader]

Pal of mine rebuilt an accident damaged @ last year. Had to change the frame.

He spoke to DVLA on phone and realised what a big hassle it would be.

As the accident was not recorded he simply restamped the replacement frame, which also had the number removed.

Seemed OK.

[BobA]

Wigs


I can advise you from experience here.

My current RD04 was a stolen recovered bike. It was a mint 6000 mile machine when it was stolen from the previous owners garden overnight. Unfortunately, it was not insured, as it was usually in a locked garage however that one night it was not, due to building work being done on the garage.

The owner had to take it on the chin unfortunately, however quite a few weeks later, a sharp eyed cop caught some charming yoofs pushing a primer black & white zebra trail bike into a garage to top it up. Hey presto, the owner got it back!

They had hacked everything off with a grinder, removed the ID plate on the frame, and angle grinded the VIN number off the headstock. FORTUNATELY, the Police themselves did a good job before returning it to the owner, and re-stamped the VIN adjacent to the original factory number, and also added a sticker to the frame showing a telephone number that could be called to verfiy that the re-stamped VIN is legitimate.

Firstly, I don't know what type of bike frame it is, but the RD03 and RD04 (and Ducati's) have the chassis number stamped on the right side of the headstock, in addition to the chassis plate on the right side.

Secondly, I believe UK market (Africa Twins) bikes have matching numbers, so if the engine ends 1515 the frame will also end the same.

Thirdly, if the seller is selling the frame legitimately, I would like to think he would have no worries about you making enquiries with the Police and DVLA to check his story.

Finally, I worked very briefly for a Ducati dealership and actually witnessed an engineer fitting a new frame to a 916 which he had to stamp with the original VIN. I'm sure the frame you want to buy MUST have legible numbers somewhere, but if not, I can't see any reason why you couldn't move the identity of your bike onto it. Just BE SURE you're not committing an offence by checking with DVLA and the Police first.



Bob

[africajim]

From experience, I re-framed a damaged RD04 and my mate Craig got a new frame through Honda under warranty for his RD07 and these came with no number on the headstock. You simply stamp the number from your V5 on to the headstock and it takes that identity. As long as there's nothing fishy going on this is perfectly legal.

[Shox Dr]

From experience, I re-framed a damaged RD04 and my mate Craig got a new frame through Honda under warranty for his RD07 and these came with no number on the headstock. You simply stamp the number from your V5 on to the headstock and it takes that identity. As long as there's nothing fishy going on this is perfectly legal.

very true, if you purchase a new chassis/frame it will have no vin# as until it is built into a full bike it is merely a part, and thus does not require a number. I had to buy a new frame for my 2004 yzf250 and it came with no number.

[BobA]

It's a good point, but it doesn't apply in this case unfortunately!

A new frame, is a new frame, and comes with a receipt.

The frame in question WAS a bike in a previous life, and there is only a story to back up it's past!


Buyer Beware is what they say!!!



Bob

[Shox Dr]

It's a good point, but it doesn't apply in this case unfortunately!

A new frame, is a new frame, and comes with a receipt.

The frame in question WAS a bike in a previous life, and there is only a story to back up it's past!


Buyer Beware is what they say!!!



Bob

Sorry clouding the issue


I hear what you're saying Bob, if it has been issued a vin number then I'm sure you have to inform DVLA, works on a points system ISTR, so long as it's legit

[wigs_1]

I'll give the DVLA a call tomorrow get their view on these things.
The photo of the bike has this website written on it...
Motorcycle Specifications, Pictures, Tests and Reviews Directory

Could be a legit breaker. I'm down his way on Monday so I might pop in.
He also has a lot of bits currently for sale on ebay.... Perhaps a bit brave if its all nicked / still warm!

Cheers for all the replies.

Chris

[BobA]

Something nagging in my head made me think of this thread that was posted a while back.

The link to Swapz no longer works, so you may want to compare notes with those making comments here, to see if it's the same seller.

XRV parts on another site - might help some people??




Bob

[Mervinh]

my son had a simiular situation with a FS1 he wrote off bought another bike frame number was all but illegible due too rust, he phoned DVLA and was told ok transfer the numbers its your bikes you are entitled too do what you want
merv