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]

Originally Posted by Biker Biggles

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!

^ 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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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.