Question about Commando frame/VIN?

Hello all- First, a word about California DMV- horrifying. I have figured out that our DMV is a "Culture of NO"- meaning that they are actively searching for a way to say "No" rather than searching for a way to be helpful. I have been in a five year battle with them over getting an out of state '68 Commando registered and titled, because it's from Georgia, where they do not issue titles on old bikes.

On a separate note, and this may be dumb question, how does one tell if the bike is a "numbers matching"? Should the frame and engine have the same numbers sans prefix? Mine is a '68, frame number 126780 stamped into the steering head; engine 20M3128549. I take it that this means the engine was replaced? Or perhaps the original frame was swapped out 'cuz my frame has a rather ugly gusset welded between the downtubes. Any advice is appreciated, thanks! 8)

askdoctorday said:

how does one tell if the bike is a "numbers matching"? Should the frame and engine have the same numbers sans prefix? Mine is a '68, frame number 126780 stamped into the steering head; engine 20M3128549. I take it that this means the engine was replaced? Or perhaps the original frame was swapped out 'cuz my frame has a rather ugly gusset welded between the downtubes. Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

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Yes, the six digit numbers should match. The gearbox would normally have been stamped across the top lug with an identical number, so that could give you a clue as to which part (either engine or frame) has been changed?