VIN Vehicle Identification Number : 1975 R90S

[oalvarez]

Thanks in advance for the board's help. I recently took ownership (sight unseen) of a 1975 R90S/6 (daytona orange) that originated from out of state (outside of California). I purchased it from a reputable person and bike collector, the bike is basically original, none of the nicks/scratches have ever been touched-up. Regardless, I took the motorcycle to the local DMV to have the bike inspected but they would not sign off on the title/registration transfer as they could NOT find a stamped VIN anywhere on the motorcycle (nor could I) with the exception of the number found on the ENGINE casing. THAT EXACT NUMBER is found on the originating state's title as the VIN number but they wouldn't take that as proof, they wanted to see the number on the motorycle frame and not just the motor. As previously mentioned, I have an appointment with the DMV next week, but would love to have some sort of help, suggestions, direction as to the situation on hand before appearing before them. The DMV used a "NATB" book which said that ALL 1972 and newer bike's VIN numbers could be found on the steering stem.....if the Highway Patrol uses the same I'm afraid that there might be no way to get this bike registered.

No, there are no VIN style stickers anywhere on the bike to reference.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

 

[kstoo]

 

[oalvarez]

unfortunately that plate is not found on my 1975 r90s.

are you suggesting that the plate would be the only other place other than the engine casing where the VIN would appear?

so far i've been told "maybe the lower right frame under the cylinder head or maybe the left hand side of the steering tube" neither of which display such.

thank you for your reply

 

[30064]

O,

Been there. What the DMV wants to see is the factory EPA sticker with the matching VIN number. Not sure about your specific bike but most are a gray sticker located on the right lower frame rail. Don't ask me why this is required in addition to the stamping on the frame/tag and engine stamp, I don't have a legitimate answer. I would suggest calling your local CHP Inspection station and discussing this with them. You'll need a REG343 form (App. for Title/Registration) from the DMV then an appointment with a CHP Inspection Officer for the completion of the REG343 form signed and filled out by an approved CHP Inspection Officer . You will then have to take the form to DMV, again. CA...gotta love it. Have your bill of sale, and pink slip available. The more paper the better.

-Mike V.

 

[gertiektn]

I have a 77 airhead.

My number is on the engine and on the steering head gusset on the right side. It has the number and a BMW symbol embossed in the plate. The plate is flat and is welded between the steering head and the upper/lower tubes coming off the steering head on the right side. If it is not there look for evidence that it was ground out or removed

What does the Prior Owner say??

Jim, Ketchikan

 

[Bill Burke]

My number is on the engine and on the steering head gusset on the right side. It has the number and a BMW symbol embossed in the plate. The plate is flat and is welded between the steering head and the upper/lower tubes coming off the steering head on the right side. If it is not there look for evidence that it was ground out or removed What does the Prior Owner say??Jim, Ketchikan

My 75 /6 is same as described by Jim above. Stamped above dipstick and on flat gusset.

 

[James.A]

In my experience it is "either/or". The VIN plate went away when the stamped gusset came in.

There is a website in the U.K. called Phil Hawksley's BM bikes, or something like that. There is s great deal of info on airheads on his site. Oalvarez might be able to visit that web site and search BMbike's archive for his motors VIN number range. The he would know when that motor left the factory. I have a 1976 Frame with the VIN on the gusset. If "O" can not find the number on the frame gusset, then it would be safe to assume that he has an earlier frame, and the VIN plate on the steering head is lost. The 1976 and later frames (up to 19??) have large rivets in the holes on the steering head where the VIN plate would be located on an earlier bike, AND the VIN stamped on the right side gusset as described by JimK.

 

[oalvarez]

You all have been so very kind in your responses, thanks for the detailed explanations. I believe my motorcycle to have been of Jan/Feb 1975 production. The steering tube has two screw holes along with the frame gusset on the right hand side.....no plates in either area. I can't say how disappointed I am in myself for not researching this before the fact, live and learn I suppose. At this juncture it sounds as though I won't be able to register/title it here in my state (CA).

I've sent the seller an email in hopes that he might have one of the two aforementioned plates. It's all I can do at this point.

Thanks again,

 

[James.A]

Here is the link to BM Bikes. More specificly, the table for VIN numbers for R series 900's. Both R90/6 and R90S. The /6 and the S is broken out sperately. If you find your motor number range on this chart, you will know what month the bike was made, what bike it was when it left the factory, and within a month or two, if it would have had a VIN plate on the steering head, or a stamped number on the right side steering head gusset. I In your instance, a production date of Sept., 1975 would be the point where a bike switches from being a 1975 to a 1976 model. According to BMBikes, all R series 900cc bikes left the factory with frame and motor numbers matched. From what I gather on this chart, model year production at that time ran from September to September.




http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/chassispages/enginechassis900.htm

 

[lmo1131]

the VIN stamped on the right side gusset as described by JimK

Take a good look. The numbers are not deeply stamped and are hard to see on my '73 /5, but they are there. A flashlight held at an oblique angle helps.

The problem I had with the local DMV guy was that he didn't believe that the frame number matched the engine number.. . . he finally acquiesced when he couldn't figure out why they should not match.

 

[oalvarez]

^ thank you for this. i was under the impression that the stamped VIN was on an actual plate riveted to the gusset which you mention. on my gusset there are two holes, and in the area it says "Made in W Germany." I used a flashlight last night, I'll have another look this afternoon.

 

[dbrick]

At this juncture it sounds as though I won't be able to register/title it here in my state (CA).

Nope. As a last (or a later) resort, you can have a new VIN plate affixed to the bike, and DMV will register it with that number. DarrylRi had to do that with an R65 he sourced from OR - he had a bill of sale and clear ownership, but DMV balked for some reason at the factory serial number.

 

[bikerfish1100]

yeah, DMVs can get pretty anal and unbending about things. i am expecting serious headaches when i go to title my '65 R69S. It was not sold with a title in 1965 in CT, and did not have one when i purchased it 20+ years ago. but they will give me grief, and tell me that it MUST have a previous title that they can accept in transfer. the fact that it never had one will not sink in- they will demand what their regs say they need, regardless of reality.

 

[dbrick]

yeah, DMVs can get pretty anal and unbending about things.

Or not. In 1977, I found a 1964 R69S in a barn in rural Ventura County; it had never been titled in the US, wore a German plate, and came with the little booklet that Germany issued (perhaps only used to issue, I dunno) to the owner.

DMV said "Sure," yawned, and gave me a pink slip.

 

[535IS]

I don't know about California, but I do know that in some states, a state court judge can order a title to be issued. That's how my bike was originally titled in the US in 1990 (with no papers from the previous European owner). I think you would need some proof that the engine VIN matches the bike, which should carry a matching VIN (but doesn't) as well as some evidence (affidavit from the P.O.) that the bike wasn't stolen or built up from stolen parts. Maybe a police report on the VIN showing on the engine that it, too, is not reported as stolen. You would need to find a lawyer familiar with the statutes on this and it helps if he/she knows a judge who trusts their work.

Good luck.

 

[kstoo]

what I pictured before was a 1974 model. This is a 1979 that has the VIN sticker under the right cylinder but still has the VIN stamped into the frame. It's gotta be there unless someone ground it off or filled it in. Or it is a later year frame???

 

[kreece]

Vin Plate

You could buy one of these plates from Hucky's and stamp the numbers in and fix it to the bike. Scroll down the page.

http://www.bmwhucky.com/010051.html

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Ken

 

[subagon]

You could buy one of these plates from Hucky's and stamp the numbers in and fix it to the bike. Scroll down the page.

http://www.bmwhucky.com/010051.html

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Ken

Hey I was going to say that


To the OP...


I just went out to the garage to take a picture of my bike, a '75 R90/6 (no "S"). I was built in Oct '74 ao it pre-dates your bike by a few months. As seen in the picture, you should have a ID plate AND the VIN stamped on the frame.

Worst case, buy a VIN plate from Huckey's and a letter/number punch set and make your own. Mount it on the headstock and rub some dirt and oil on it to give it a "used" look. The local DMV won't know the difference or care. Please do the right thing if/when you sell it and tell the next guy what you've done.

(Higher rez picture here)

 

[AnnapolisAirhead]

Thanks in advance for the board's help. I recently took ownership (sight unseen) of a 1975 R90S/6 (daytona orange) that originated from out of state (outside of California). I purchased it from a reputable person and bike collector, the bike is basically original, none of the nicks/scratches have ever been touched-up. Regardless, I took the motorcycle to the local DMV to have the bike inspected but they would not sign off on the title/registration transfer as they could NOT find a stamped VIN anywhere on the motorcycle (nor could I) with the exception of the number found on the ENGINE casing. THAT EXACT NUMBER is found on the originating state's title as the VIN number but they wouldn't take that as proof, they wanted to see the number on the motorycle frame and not just the motor. As previously mentioned, I have an appointment with the DMV next week, but would love to have some sort of help, suggestions, direction as to the situation on hand before appearing before them. The DMV used a "NATB" book which said that ALL 1972 and newer bike's VIN numbers could be found on the steering stem.....if the Highway Patrol uses the same I'm afraid that there might be no way to get this bike registered.

No, there are no VIN style stickers anywhere on the bike to reference.

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

...I'd give the reputable person and bike collector a call back and ask for the details.

 

[44006]

Ref to image above posted by subagon
I believe this is the number and position you should find
It may have been filled in by repainting or it may be another
frame from another bike and the number removed to hide the
fact of major repair
I have seen bikes with another plate glued over the original
so that a bike could be illegally sold with another wrecked bike's title

The removable info plate usually screwed to the front of the steering head
is not proof of frame vin since anyone can obtain a new blank badge and
stamp it for himself - Many police are aware of this and totally ignore the
tin badge. I never buy or title a bike I cannot find the vin stamped into the
frame as in subagon's image.