Mystery VIN Number - different from frame/engine no's

Stumper for frame and numbers history experts !

An early 1968 Commando (frame # suggests maybe the 5th or 6th production unit) has a Texas title with an 8 character "VIN" number listed on title that is nothing like the frame number stamped in normal place on neck, or (matching) engine number also in normal place. Bike is mostly original, no visible frame alterations; is indeed correct early frame...

Have looked for this other number on the frame near head-stock, around each side near the coil/tank mount wings, as advised by seller of the bike. Texas DMV must have found this ~#@$#^%&~ number someplace, but currently it does not appear to be visible. California where the bike is to be registered is very anal about motorcycle registration numbers, and all vehicles numbers for that matter.

Was told this unusual "VIN" number may have resulted from someone early in bikes delivery history using a "frame batch number" instead of the normal frame number stamped on the (rider) left side area of the neck, matching in this case the engine number.

The last Cali registered Norton I owned (originally from Chicago) had a pink slip with both frame and engine numbers displayed.

So any advice on finding the mystery stamping, how large font, where might be located, etc. would be appreciated. Hope I am not screwed and have to use an expensive title re-work service. Thanks !!

My experiance with early commado's is that the frame number is on the vin plate on the steering head and should be the same number as the engine but without the 20/M3, and this same number was stamped on top of the gearbox, the only frames that i have seen with number stamped direct to the frame were 850's and this number i believe was a prodution number.
Al

Hope I am not screwed and have to use an expensive title re-work service. Thanks !!

You may be this. Sounds like the state of Texas might have issued a VIN to this machine other than the original. There are various reasons for this, but you need to find out how Texas adds the new VIN. No 750 Commando had numbers stamped directly on the frame, only on the VIN plate riveted to the stearing head.

And since you can buy new blank VIN plates from a variety of sources, you can make your bike any serial number you want!

I know it is probably anal retentive and it is being pedantic but why do people insist on stating VIN Number. There is no such thing. It is simply a VIN. A Vehicle Identification Number. :mrgreen:

Vermont to the rescue. Google the Vermont DMV and download their forms, beside a signature from the seller you'll need an official inspection from a cop to verify the VIN. I'm using this process for a '72 and after I mount the transmission (tonight) I'll be having my inspection, already got the forms and a notarized bill-of-sale from the seller.

If you can rationalize having built this machine from parts your state may issue you a VIN. Massachusetts is also very anal about VINs, but will issue a VIN after a state police inspection to builders of "composite" machines.

RS

If the VIN on the title doesn't match the numbers on the bike, how sure are you that the title is for that bike? Almost makes me wonder if you should try to convince Texas DMV that they made a mistake. As impossible as that might be.

Here in Alaska we go through our insurance company and have to buy a bond that says we didn't steal the bike. It costs a couple hundred bucks and we can file for a new title.

Russ

Texas is even better.

IF you have the proper bills of sale for frame and engine, and if you complete all the other paperwork and police VIN inspection, they will ensure the bike is not stolen and that the VIN is not assigned to a bike that is already otherwise titled, then will issue a new Texas title with the existing VIN.

"Just like that".

Just had two of them done last week, took all of 4 or 5 hours total to do all the paperwork, inspections & have a hearing at the county tax assessor's office.

possm said:

My experiance with early commado's is that the frame number is on the vin plate on the steering head...

Click to expand...

EARLY Commandos don't have a VIN plate on the steering head but the usual six digit no. stamped directly into the head tube like it was done on the featherbed gusset.


Tim

"EARLY Commandos don't have a VIN plate on the steering head but the usual six digit no. stamped directly into the head tube like it was done on the featherbed gusset"

Tim
Is this for the early [braking]frame as both my early 1969 [updated frame] FastBack and 1970 which i am building as an S have vin plates.

possm said:

" this for the early [braking]frame as both my early 1969 [updated frame] FastBack and 1970 which i am building as an S have vin plates.

Click to expand...

"An early 1968 Commando ..... Bike is mostly original, no visible frame alterations; is indeed correct early frame..."

Yep - so the one he's talking about doesn't have a VIN. And BTW, I have one frame here which is 1968, the VIN is punched directly into the metal and it has the two lousy gussets AND the horizontal tube - whoever put it in there whenever.

@Bion: If the frame does not have the horizontal tube below the spine tube don't even bother using it unaltered - it will break even under mediocre load,you don't need to drop it of a lorry like the common Norton nostalgia suggests. That design is sh*tty as sh*tty can be.


Tim

My 1970 Commando has no plate, numbers are punched into the frame, although the numbers would suggest it should be a 1969.

The papers for my 850 say 1972 850, although the vin plate clearly says 3/73, and the numbers suggest it is a 1973, as ofcourse there was no such thing as a 1972 850. I was told by British Cycle Supply it was probably just a mistake the first time it was registered. Wonder what kind of a hassle it would be to get it changed.