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KSUWildcatFan

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Well, that was dumb. I found a Commando I liked and I went to Chicago to pick it up over the weekend. Everything seemed to check out (it needs some TLC, but otherwise it's pretty decent) and I brought it home for $4,000.

Upon getting it home, I was looking at it and for whatever reason began to suspect the VIN tag on the neck of the frame. The rivets are not what as they should be. Either the frame is a) not the original or b) is the original and the VIN plate was removed to paint/powdercoat/whatever the frame, and was then re-riveted back on with standard rivets. I have a title and the numbers all match (motor/trans/VIN tag), but I have a feeling the VIN tag is going to kill me.

I think I just blew $4,000. I have to have the bike inspected in order to title it, and I don't think it's going to pass inspection.

:( Why didn't I notice this when I was looking at the damn thing to begin with?!

-Jordan
 
Well, I don't know anything about the mechanical quality of the bike you bought, but there are plenty of Cdo's out there with engines and frames that don't match, and that doesn't really mean a thing, unless it's critical to you to have a numbers matching bike? Besides, if it's been painted before, there's a good chance the PO riveted the tag back on using a different method. When you have the bike inspected, who at the inspection is going to be familiar enough with the way the tag is attached to doubt its authenticity? My bike had been painted and the PO never bothered to put the VIN tag back on the frame. I have a blank tag but don't see a reason to mess with engraving and putting on the frame at this time. When I have it inspected, they just go by the stamp on my engine. Maybe I'm missing something?
 
I'm not sure you should have to worry.

Very possible a PO removed the VIN tag and not knowing how to replace the tag just riveted it back on. Doesn't really matter if the frame is original or not, there is no way to tell.

As long as the VIN tag is original you are good to go. If it's a solid bike, you're golden.
 
slupdawg said:
Well, I don't know anything about the mechanical quality of the bike you bought, but there are plenty of Cdo's out there with engines and frames that don't match, and that doesn't really mean a thing, unless it's critical to you to have a numbers matching bike? Besides, if it's been painted before, there's a good chance the PO riveted the tag back on using a different method. When you have the bike inspected, who at the inspection is going to be familiar enough with the way the tag is attached to doubt its authenticity? My bike had been painted and the PO never bothered to put the VIN tag back on the frame. I have a blank tag but don't see a reason to mess with engraving and putting on the frame at this time. When I have it inspected, they just go by the stamp on my engine. Maybe I'm missing something?
Click to expand...

I think my state goes off of the frame VIN. If they doubt its authenticity, then they probably won't let me tag and title my bike..
 
I live in MO, and I've lived in KS, and I've never had an issue before. Don't think you have a thing to worry about. Turn that :( upside down :)
 
slupdawg said:
I live in MO, and I've lived in KS, and I've never had an issue before. Don't think you have a thing to worry about. Turn that :( upside down :)
Click to expand...

You sure? My dad seems convinced that I'm probably screwed because of those stupid rivets. I guess I just need to call highway patrol and set up an inspection early this week and see..

I really don't care in the least about having a "numbers-matching" bike..I'm going to enjoy it and I don't care what it's "worth". I just need to be able to title it..

-Jordan
 
[/quote]

I think my state goes off of the frame VIN. If they doubt its authenticity, then they probably won't let me tag and title my bike..[/quote]

you might want to try searching and/or posting over at http://www.jockeyjournal.com/ recall seeing various threads there on registering old bikes with missing or inaccurate paperwork, numbers, etc...
 
You sure? My dad seems convinced that I'm probably screwed because of those stupid rivets. I guess I just need to call highway patrol and set up an inspection early this week and see..
Click to expand...

Well, would I drink poison if I were wrong? Probably not, but my point is, you have an engine stamp that matches the frame tag and that matches the title. Correct? That's the Holy Trinity right there. I can't conceive of a HiPo working at the inspection station in the Little Apple that would have a clue about the rivets on a brand of bike he's maybe never even seen before and thinking they're the wrong ones, ergo this must be a fake......

Knowhatimean?

How bad do these rivets look, anyway? :D
 
I still don't see the problem.

VIN plate matches title. Who cares about the rivets? If you really thing the DMV person is going to know the difference between the ol' English rivets and pop rivets you're giving them too much credit.

If you're really concerned then drill out the rivets, get the correct one and sleep well.
:roll:
 
KSUWildcatFan said:
Rich_j said:
Does the number stamped into the frame match the VIN?
Click to expand...

It's stamped into the frame, too? Where?
Click to expand...

Its stamped into the headstock on the right hand side but quite often gets filled in with paint, especially thick powder.
 
Is it against the law to remove the VIN number plate on a motorcycle, and then put it back on again with fasteners that are different than those the factory used?

What law says this, is this a Federal law or a specific State law?

Just want to know. Can you ask your dad to give us the specific statute regarding faster types, age, etc, that he says were possible violated?
 
slupdawg said:
You sure? My dad seems convinced that I'm probably screwed because of those stupid rivets. I guess I just need to call highway patrol and set up an inspection early this week and see..
Click to expand...

Well, would I drink poison if I were wrong? Probably not, but my point is, you have an engine stamp that matches the frame tag and that matches the title. Correct? That's the Holy Trinity right there. I can't conceive of a HiPo working at the inspection station in the Little Apple that would have a clue about the rivets on a brand of bike he's maybe never even seen before and thinking they're the wrong ones, ergo this must be a fake......

Knowhatimean?

How bad do these rivets look, anyway? :D
Click to expand...

the rivets look fine, they're just obviously generic pop rivets..
 
well, I wouldn't give it a second thought then. Inspection won't be an issue. Go get it tagged and ride the hell out of it.

And keep reading this forum for advice when (not if) it breaks down, and won't go-go anymore!
 
I don't think you will have a problem. They were riveted on anyway. How about a picture of the VIN plate area?

Russ
 
Rich_j said:
KSUWildcatFan said:
Rich_j said:
Does the number stamped into the frame match the VIN?
Click to expand...

It's stamped into the frame, too? Where?
Click to expand...

Its stamped into the headstock on the right hand side but quite often gets filled in with paint, especially thick powder.
Click to expand...


I don't think they started stamping the headstocks until sometime around 1972-73?
 
Rich_j said:
KSUWildcatFan said:
Rich_j said:
Does the number stamped into the frame match the VIN?
Click to expand...

It's stamped into the frame, too? Where?
Click to expand...

Its stamped into the headstock on the right hand side but quite often gets filled in with paint, especially thick powder.
Click to expand...

the numbers don't match.. They don't match on any of my dad's commando frames, though..
 
KSUWildcatFan said:
the numbers don't match.. They don't match on any of my dad's commando frames, though..
Click to expand...

If it's an 850 (so 73-on,) it would normally have a frame stamp. If the frame stamp is a non-matching number but begins with "F1" then thats OK and it's perfectly normal.
 
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