Ironhead Identifying Engine Numbers

[rejeanprimeau]

Try to import a bike in your country, you'll see the border patrol is federal not provincial.

The incoming custom usually ask for all the papers before the outdoing custom let the bike go, bike in quarantine to check if stolen or a lien on it.

Enter a bike without the outgoing papers from states or provinces then you cannot do it unless you are a licenced dealer or DMV.

[Ferrous Head]

To import a bike into Australia you need a VIA (Vehicle Import Approval). $50 plus a bit of paperwork. Not that hard. These are provided through a federal Government department. The bike then needs to be registered in the state you choose and is subject to those state laws. Done by individual state Governments

To export a bike from the USA you need a valid title. The title can be from any state. That title is worthless in Australia. But it's US customs that check the bike is OK for export. A federal Government body.

That's all irrelevant to you guys I know.

But the fact is state laws regarding the titles for vehicles are different from state to state. And many have changed their rules over the last 20 years or so.

In 1973 I think you'll find the VIN was established by the chassis number. So the title stays with the chassis. The engine number is not relevant EXCEPT that it will appear on the title, associated with that chassis (VIN) number.

You might be able to go into the DMV and change the title to reflect the engine number you have.

But if it's been stolen at some point, your now in trouble.

If you can find a friendly police man to run a check that might help.

[Racepres]

Originally Posted by Ferrous Head

To import a bike into Australia you need a VIA (Vehicle Import Approval). $50 plus a bit of paperwork. Not that hard. These are provided through a federal Government department. The bike then needs to be registered in the state you choose and is subject to those state laws. Done by individual state Governments

To export a bike from the USA you need a valid title. The title can be from any state. That title is worthless in Australia. But it's US customs that check the bike is OK for export. A federal Government body.

That's all irrelevant to you guys I know.

But the fact is state laws regarding the titles for vehicles are different from state to state. And many have changed their rules over the last 20 years or so.

In 1973 I think you'll find the VIN was established by the chassis number. So the title stays with the chassis. The engine number is not relevant EXCEPT that it will appear on the title, associated with that chassis (VIN) number.

You might be able to go into the DMV and change the title to reflect the engine number you have.

But if it's been stolen at some point, your now in trouble.

If you can find a friendly police man to run a check that might help.

I know Not all of that...I do Know...A Michigan title don't know squat about Engine Numbers...Nor Care...sounds like a "Coast" thing to me...NY or CA
safety NAZIS who work Harleys differently than any other vehicle!!!
And, I am Pretty sure that the Frame Number VIN as 1969-1970, and was introduced Federally!!! Much like the implementation of the Universal 17 Digit VIN

[brucstoudt]

1970>up started with titled with the frame #'s. the same time motor #'s moved to the right case..coincidence?

[Racepres]

Originally Posted by brucstoudt

1970>up started with titled with the frame #'s. the same time motor #'s moved to the right case..coincidence?

And then back to the left side in??? 1984??
IDK the significance of that...The MoCo prolly has a Reason???

[Ferrous Head]

It is possible at times to take advantage of the fact that the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing.

Technically, you can't export a bike from the USA that doesn't have a title.

But what is a bike ?

[Racepres]

^^ So...Yer saying the OP is Not Stateside??
If Not...I need to step Out...I have Never dealt with Owning any Motorcycle outside the States.. Rent, Borrow...Different scenarios!!!!

[Ferrous Head]

Nah, just pointing out it's not a "one size fits all" scenario.

White you may have a complete handle on VIN's and registration in Ohio that may not apply in California. And there are not only state laws to deal with now, you have federal laws.

And Harley themselves were never able to dictate frame or engine\e numbers. Historically they did as the authorities worked in with them. But that's no longer the case.

But with earlier bikes (the kinds we like) the laws when they were built were different to how they are now. Do they have to comply with today's laws ?

[rejeanprimeau]

If you import a basket case parts, make sure the frame is send a couple month later, if they can related it's a complete dismantle bike, then you're in trouble. Don't ask why I know.

[Ferrous Head]

I have sent a "complete" bike on a pallet from the USA to Australia.

US customs didn't care as it wasn't a bike in their eyes. Merely parts on a pallet.

Australia accepted it as a complete bike because the parts came together and met the minimum requirements to be considered "A bike".