VIN and engine #

[DucatiHoney]

I recently replaced the engine in my Ducati and I recall there being a place to submit an engine number as well as a VIN either with my insurance or DMV or something... Is this something that I should formally update for official purposes?

TIA!

 

[afm199]

I recently replaced the engine in my Ducati and I recall there being a place to submit an engine number as well as a VIN either with my insurance or DMV or something... Is this something that I should formally update for official purposes?

TIA!

When I did it I had to go through a process. Fill out form, take to DMV, get engine inspected so that new number is verified and submit. The upside is that IIRC it's free or very cheap. Moto titles have Vin and engine numbers. Cars don't. I forget whether now CHP has to verify number.

The reason you update is to protect any buyer and you.

 

[DucatiHoney]

Everything was done on the up and up, so yeah, I'd like to get the paperwork sorted. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[planegray]

related question;

Does the person submitting need to have a bill of sale for the engine ?


(I haven't seen the dmv form)

 

[DucatiHoney]

Hrmmm...not sure. I recently purchased my engine as basically "a part" of a motorcycle. It happens to be a large part of the bike. Good question.

 

[krackajak]

I too am curious here.

1. Is that actually necessary? VIN is important I know, but idk about engine #
2. What happens if you replace it with a used motor that was registered to another bike? (i.e. a bike that was parted out for w/e reason).

 

[Rel]

The engine number is listed on your vehicle registration. Make an appointment with your local CHP office and have them verify the engine number on a REG 343 and then submit that to DMV so they can update the information for your motorcycle registration.

 

[afm199]

Hrmmm...not sure. I recently purchased my engine as basically "a part" of a motorcycle. It happens to be a large part of the bike. Good question.

They don't care if there is a bill of sale. They verify the engine # and if it does not come up stolen, it's fine. If it comes up stolen later, you have a stolen engine with no bill of sale. :rofl

 

[Hooli]

Heather, you stole my thunder! I acquired a replacement engine for the original one in my GSXR. Looks like I'll be notifying the proper agency about it when the project is done (but before I put it back out on the street). :thumbup

 

[RickM]

on a related note is it possible to call CHP or DMV and have them check an engine# before buying an engine from CL?

 

[Rel]

Yes.

 

[Papi]

I thought the DMV had a VIN check/lookup on the site?
Cant find it anymore, anyone have a link?

 

[RickM]

Yes.

Cool. Assuming DMV 1-800 number works for this.

For CHP do I call the local area office?

I thought the DMV had a VIN check/lookup on the site?
Cant find it anymore, anyone have a link?

Don't know about a dmv vin check link. But there is this NICB link:

https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck

I don't think it's a comprehensive list though. I think only thefts that go through insurance shows up in that.

 

[afm199]

on a related note is it possible to call CHP or DMV and have them check an engine# before buying an engine from CL?

Good luck. Used to be able to now the CHP don't usually. Try calling your local PD, they will often run it on the CHP database for you.

 

[Rel]

Just call the local police/sheriff/CHP and have them run it through the system. There's no CHP database, its just the stolen vehicle database.

 

[DucatiHoney]

Heather, you stole my thunder! I acquired a replacement engine for the original one in my GSXR. Looks like I'll be notifying the proper agency about it when the project is done (but before I put it back out on the street). :thumbup

I'm actually doing it to peotect myself (in case bike is stolen) and for resale. However I find it hard to believe that anyone would ever want the old thing. I get her back this week hopefully. She's been on the dyno a few times...

 

[shouldnthave]

Didn't read the whole thread, but but here a few things I have learned the hard way over the years: if you have the title, or the cases to the old motor you don't need to go to the CHP (with the two out of three I have done). If the bike is old, and the vin is not on the title you have, you do not have to go to the CHP. They will add the vin to the new title. If you keep your mouth shut.

If you don't have the old cases/title, and the old vin is on the title (does not match title) you have to go to the CHP.

Never, ever say you built it yourself. If you do that they give you a whole packet you have to fill out about how you put it together. "You bought it just like it is". For an amendment, "you had it professionally done at shop X".

Finally, don't make an appointment with the CHP. Just show up with the bike in the back of a truck and play stupid. It will take months if you don't. The smaller the town the better.

Good luck.

 

[Rel]

^^^ There's some bad intel for ya.....

We, CHP, don't add the vin to the title.

You "can" just show up, but that doesnt mean that we will just drop everything to look at your bike.

 

[byke]

What year is the bike and what year is the motor?

 

[shouldnthave]

^^^ There's some bad intel for ya.....

We, CHP, don't add the vin to the title.

You "can" just show up, but that doesnt mean that we will just drop everything to look at your bike.

I was speaking of the DMV adding the vin to the title if the bike is old enough not to have the new style title with both vin numbers on it.

I have had to go through the process three times.