Bike frame number dodgy

[Fallout]

Ok, just took the Shed for it's MOT and tester pointed out the frame number does not match the registration. So here are the facts ...

- V5 shows reg on bike plus a frame number.
- Frame number on bike is exactly the same, except last two digits are round the wrong way!
- Frame appears to be brand new from Suzuki, unstamped. The raised area where it is normally stamped on is blemish free, no number and not ground off. The frame number rivets on is on a plate to the side of that
- The HPI check at the time came up clear for the REG number
- No write off history, not stolen etc.

So chatting with the tester, we speculated the most likely cause is it was crashed like a mofo. Owner then get a new frame from suzuki, and moved the bits across and rebuilt the bike. He then got a plate printed for the bike, and being a dyslexic muppet, got the last two digits around the wrong way.

We can't see any reason why it would be like this. It's not a clone, because the V5 and Engine numbers would match, plus I wouldn't be able to have the V5. Only explanation we can come up with is frame damage after accident (possibly on the track), bike rebuild privately away from insurance, fecked up when marking the frame.

The tester has said if I get a new frame number made up and attached, it'll be fine, or could visit Vosa. What do you guys think? Possibly more suss?

[Paul the 6th]

when I used to nick bikes for a living, I'd run a line of weld over the frame numbers, grind them flat and then stamp my own made up numbers into said weld... "B00bi35" was my fav.

Have you tried HPI'ing it with a proper HPI register which covers all theft/write off and not just finance?

Sorry to hear this dude, you could do without at the minute :( also, does make you wonder how it got its last MOT. Have you still got the seller's contact details? Could give him a shout and ask if that's the case, not like you can be mad at him or anything - just any extra meta information might help bring about a solution more quickly :)

[Mark_h]

Just sell it to Jammy!

[Biker Biggles]

Take the MOT testers advice,then just ride it and forget it.

[Fallout]

Frame is definitely new and unstamped, not a cover up. Just had a little plate added.

HPI check was the full stolen, write-off, finance check, and all came up fine.

Just checked all the old MOTs and they all have the frame number on the V5.

[Fallout]

Take the MOT testers advice,then just ride it and forget it.

That's the plan mate, unless someone turns up some more plausible explanation that would scupper that. Can't think of one though!

[Owenski]

^ this.

If the bike rides fine and the guy was willing to spend £xxxx on a new frame then I wouldnt be too worried about the level of repair on other bits. Ie he obviously blew the bank fixing it back up.
Then again it does make you wonder etc etc so best of both worlds... get it sorted as above, then flog it. The next new owner will have no way of knowing it ever happened.

[Paul the 6th]

ah right but the bike passed MOT i.e. the frame number issue isn't a block to getting it MOT'd?

[Fallout]

Previous owner I think did it up to make a buck. He only had it for a few months. Alarm bells were ringing, but he assured me he bought it on a whim and needed the money for his car he was doing up. I reckon he bought it wrecked for nothing and bought a new frame and fixed it up. The previous MOT failed on lots of alignment related things, which were then remedied and it past with no advisories.

I reckon he bought a wreck, fixed it up, MOTed it, failed, fixed, past, sold it to me. The question still stands though, how did it pass it's MOT? Only guess is the tester never checked the VIN, or just glanced at it and didn't read the last two numbers like I didn't.

Head fudge!

[Fallout]

ah right but the bike passed MOT i.e. the frame number issue isn't a block to getting it MOT'd?

No, you can't get an MOT if the numbers don't match. No idea how previous owner managed it. I've read a few threads which suggest some MOT cowboys won't bother checking and will just go off the V5 or what's on the computer. Or he could've had a mate who passed it anyway. Numberplate was illegal, so he can't have been very rigorous.

[Paul the 6th]

feckery. Vosa will be able to advise best dude. He said it'll be fine if you get a new frame number made up and attached - where do you get those from? Directly from Vosa?

[Bibio]

is it possible that DVLA has messed up when you got the new dock threw?

[timwilky]

Most likely is the frame number was cocked up when the bike was registered. An easy enough mistake to make transposing two numbers when writing it down.

Don't worry about it.


I had a problem taxing my bike on line. said there was no insurance. So picked up docs and down to post office, who pointed out two of the reg letters where transposed on my insurance cert. Hence it not showing on the database. Nice chap recognised the error and issued the disc saying best get the insurance changed as you will ring the ANPR alarms. so if I made the mistake writing down a single reg number just think how easy it is for someone to wrongly write/type a chassis number at the dealers or dvla etc.

[Fallout]

If DVLA have cocked up, they cocked up a long time ago as all MOTs have the VIN that is present on my V5. If it was a **** up when registered, then it's passed countless MOTs with the wrong details! I really don't get it.

I can't find an easy way to get a VIN plate made. Lots of places sell blank ones, but you have to go to your dealer to get them to etch them apparently. You can buy stamping kits though which will probably result in me having a very dodgy looking one.

I really dont care. Just want to get an MOT on it and ride it. If it was a new high value bike it'd be an issue, but not this old thing. Not worried about resale. Tempted to buy a blank plate and punch it myself.

[Biker Biggles]

Dont make it look like a dodgy plate.Better to just live with it if you can get an MOT,perhaps with a letter from DVLA to cover the funny number.

[Fallout]

I can't get an MOT with VIN plate with the wrong number on it. That's the whole point of the thread. :p

[Biker Biggles]

Oh.So how come they gave it an MOT last year?Its all been on computer for yonks now so it should have flagged up before.

[Paul the 6th]

http://forums.sv650.org/showpost.php?p=2887193&postcount=10

[Fallout]

What Paul linked too, and also I have a suspicion something has gone on at some point. Could've been removed or come off, or become scratched during repair and a new one made with the wrong number. Really have no idea.

In any case I've ordered a new blank one will get it engraved at a jewellers so it looks decent.

[Mark_h]

Have you asked the DVLA about just issuing a new V5? They did it for me when I had an engine with the wrong number on it. Just needed a note from a garage to say it was the same sort of engine as it was a 125. That way it's all legit.

[daveyrach]

Are we talking about the frame number punched in the head stock or on the riveted plate?

My plate is blank but he head stock stamped number is the same as my V5.

[Fallout]

There is no stamp.

I've now drilled off the old plate and there is literally nothing on the right side of the headstock at all. The flat area where it should be stamped is clean with no signs of tampering. The coating on the frame is immaculate and unblemished. There was nothing under the old plate either. The only marking I could find was on the other side of the headstock. A six digit number (think it was a plate), which I suspect is some sort of manufacture serial or something.

Contacting the DVLA may be more legit, but I don't want bureaucracy. I'll just get this plate engraved, glue it on, and get my MOT.

The mystery continues.

[Nutsinatin]

MOT testers don't always pay attention, (which might be how it got through before with the wrong number and illegal plate). They passed my bike last month with no working headlights (only side lights and full beam) so it happens!

[stuR]

I doubt that they check the vin in some places ive had a mot done before..

[timwilky]

I had my mot done yesterday.

He asked if I had brought my old mot. as he then copies the number from that. As not he had to pick up a piece of paper to write it down. Rather than use the readily available sticker on the side, he struggled to read the headstock under the fairing.

My guess is most place do exactly the same, copy it off the old ticket.