bikerfish1100
New member
even a simple frame repaint should not obscure those stamped in VIN numbers. my '78 frame was blasted & repainted, and the VIN numbers are readily visible/legible.
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VIN Vehicle Identification Number : 1975 R90S
- Thread starter oalvarez
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- vin vin location
even a simple frame repaint should not obscure those stamped in VIN numbers. my '78 frame was blasted & repainted, and the VIN numbers are readily visible/legible.
44006
Member
Once upon a time - back in the day when all cars had points and 6v electrics
I patched and painted rotted out used cars after school
There was a product Bondo or Snow White 2part plastic paste that would
fill anything and another softer product that squeezed out of a tube like
toothpaste that dried no harder than drywall paste
If one wanted to make the vin number disappear because it did not
match the engine, the number could be filled and painted over
Just to say - it might be possible that if you sanded off the paint in the
right spot you might find a vin number and just maybe it is for another bike
I patched and painted rotted out used cars after school
There was a product Bondo or Snow White 2part plastic paste that would
fill anything and another softer product that squeezed out of a tube like
toothpaste that dried no harder than drywall paste
If one wanted to make the vin number disappear because it did not
match the engine, the number could be filled and painted over
Just to say - it might be possible that if you sanded off the paint in the
right spot you might find a vin number and just maybe it is for another bike
RonKMiller
New member
A quality UV light with a magnifying glass (and protective yellow glasses) at close range may show that without having to do any sanding.
RonKMiller
New member
I can't say why, but I'm thinking this is not going to have a happy ending...
DMV guys are just plain - for the most part - on a power trip. Kinda' like being employed as a TSA agent.
I've built several "home built" motorcycles in the past and without documentation they can get REALLY cranky - even in a state that it is pretty loose like AZ. I built one that they REFUSED to believe was not factory built. My bad (or good, I guess...)
It finally got titled when I gave them a complete list with receipts of all the components that went into the build. Incontrovertible evidence was staring them in the face.
My best advice for the OP is if you hit a roadblock, appeal nicely but firmly to a higher power. The appeal will most likely come with a badge, but also a higher IQ and authority to sign off on it.
Best of luck and remember that a "Clerk is a Jerk". Appeal up the chain and you may be OK.
DMV guys are just plain - for the most part - on a power trip. Kinda' like being employed as a TSA agent.
I've built several "home built" motorcycles in the past and without documentation they can get REALLY cranky - even in a state that it is pretty loose like AZ. I built one that they REFUSED to believe was not factory built. My bad (or good, I guess...)
It finally got titled when I gave them a complete list with receipts of all the components that went into the build. Incontrovertible evidence was staring them in the face.My best advice for the OP is if you hit a roadblock, appeal nicely but firmly to a higher power. The appeal will most likely come with a badge, but also a higher IQ and authority to sign off on it.
Best of luck and remember that a "Clerk is a Jerk". Appeal up the chain and you may be OK.
just spoke to one of the area's best known BMW airhead enthusiasts (happens to own a BMW dealership) and he said that the CHP will most definitely issue me a "frame sticker" which will serve as a VIN, and which will allow me to at least register and title the motorcycle. as for the VIN on the frame, I cannot find it for the life of me which indicates only one thing and that is that the frame is a BMW replacement one. as i stated earlier, i have an appointment with the local CHP office this coming week.
so much for it ever becoming a true collectible.
since i do have a temporary operating permit for it, i'm going to ride it up the Angeles Crest tomorrow to start gaining some much needed value from it!
thanks again, will let you know how it all plays out.
so much for it ever becoming a true collectible.
since i do have a temporary operating permit for it, i'm going to ride it up the Angeles Crest tomorrow to start gaining some much needed value from it!
thanks again, will let you know how it all plays out.
Spaulding
Horizontally opposed
I had an issue with a Norton purchased out of state that had a Florida title with the wrong VIN on it. Cal DMV was NOT helpful at all, telling me I had to fix it in Florida... That didn't work so after a couple months and some extensions, I finally buckled and made an appointment with the CHP. I was concerned that I would be walking back...
Anyway, after an admittedly one-sided exchange with an officer who did little to dispel any law enforcement stereotypes, I figured all was lost.
Then strangely, the officer left and returned about 15 minutes later (assume he was searching stolen vehicle databases) with a simple form (it was called something like "application for substitute VIN number"), told me to go back to the DMV, and that would be it!
And it was. Now the bike is registered and titled in CA with the original Norton serial number as the VIN, just the way it should be - and the older BMWs should be as well.
The CHP might insist on putting a blue plate on your frame - I've heard of that happening - maybe see if you can convince them to use the number on the engine as the VIN. Not sure, luckily with my Norton the original plate was present.
But essentially I think the CHP is just more concerned with making sure that the bike isn't stolen, so you should be fine. Just let them do the talking...
My '77 R100S is a native Californian, so no VIN inspection! That was kinda nice, to be honest...
Anyway, after an admittedly one-sided exchange with an officer who did little to dispel any law enforcement stereotypes, I figured all was lost.
Then strangely, the officer left and returned about 15 minutes later (assume he was searching stolen vehicle databases) with a simple form (it was called something like "application for substitute VIN number"), told me to go back to the DMV, and that would be it!
And it was. Now the bike is registered and titled in CA with the original Norton serial number as the VIN, just the way it should be - and the older BMWs should be as well.
The CHP might insist on putting a blue plate on your frame - I've heard of that happening - maybe see if you can convince them to use the number on the engine as the VIN. Not sure, luckily with my Norton the original plate was present.
But essentially I think the CHP is just more concerned with making sure that the bike isn't stolen, so you should be fine. Just let them do the talking...
My '77 R100S is a native Californian, so no VIN inspection! That was kinda nice, to be honest...
Unless those screw holes were added to the original frame-possible, but not done often-chances are that your bike has a 1977 or later frame. Does it have a curved cross tube connecting the downtubes just above the ignition cover?
bikerfish1100
New member
can you take & post a pic for us of the right side steering head, including the flat faced gusset between the right front frame tube and the steering head? then we can see what you're dealing with.
bikerfish1100
New member
dude- your frame does not have a VIN nuber on it!!
you need to get ahold of the seller, find out the real story.
you need to get ahold of the seller, find out the real story.
toooldtocare
Active member
Some photos
Sweet...........
J
James.A
Guest
According to Phil Hawksley's chassis page, that motor would have been made in January 1975, and destined for the USA as an R90S.
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dennisdarrow
#4869 Earned Lifetime mem
On my 75 R90 the numbers there on the frame run parallel to the leading edge of the tank there on that gusset.......No sign of a Made in W. Germany or the like.........Is his tank perhaps covering the numbers, as my numbers are right at the edge of the tank and perhaps a larger tank on an S may cover them?......
Nice bike, but only God knows what is truly going on.......Really nice replica if not original.......To my untrained eye the only thing not "true" is those rear shocks. I truly LOVE the old style aluminum cans covering the tops......Good Luck.....Dennis
Nice bike, but only God knows what is truly going on.......Really nice replica if not original.......To my untrained eye the only thing not "true" is those rear shocks. I truly LOVE the old style aluminum cans covering the tops......Good Luck.....Dennis
J
James.A
Guest
The new to me 1978 R100/7 in my garage has the "Made in W. Germany" in the exact same place as the frame pictured above. The number on that bike is on the same gusset running right along the edge of the gusset parallel to the edge of the tank. The /7 fuel tanks are similar to S tanks in terms of contuor and dimensions, so I don't think the tank would obscure the view of the VIN.
Sort of looks like a roll pin too. I wonder if the factory pinned the gusset in-place before welding, ie, for alignment purposes ?
Regardless, what a beautiful R90S!
Here's a picture of my 1977 R100, produced in the 9/77 time window'ish. I have not seen a frame plate like this one. True BMW, the s/n is stamped on the plate as well as the frame down tube gusset. You can see it in the picture.
This gets me thinking, could that be a European frame? The ID plate on mine calls out Federals standards etc. something not applicable in the fatherland.
This gets me thinking, could that be a European frame? The ID plate on mine calls out Federals standards etc. something not applicable in the fatherland.
Attachments
i was thinking about removing the tank to see if in fact that numbers might be hidden, i suppose it's worth a try. as for the "made in W Germany," i've been forwarded many photos of other owner's bikes that all have that same marking.
thanks for the replies everyone
subagon
Hopelessly lost
Your frame doesn't have a VIN. It should look like the picture in my earlier port in this thread (post #18).
I don't have "Made in West Germany" anywhere near the VIN number. Could it be that this is a /7 frame?
As stated above, the engine # is from a R90S built in 01/75 for the US market (link). I should point out that your turn signals may not be correct. The '75 models had the black plactic turn signals. However, the early '75 bikes had the aluminum turn signals. Mine is a '75 R90/6 built in 10/74 and has the aluminum turn signals. I don't know what month BMW stated using the black plastic turn signals.
I'd have a talk with the seller
Otherwise the bike looks great and if you're happy, no problems.
I don't have "Made in West Germany" anywhere near the VIN number. Could it be that this is a /7 frame?
As stated above, the engine # is from a R90S built in 01/75 for the US market (link). I should point out that your turn signals may not be correct. The '75 models had the black plactic turn signals. However, the early '75 bikes had the aluminum turn signals. Mine is a '75 R90/6 built in 10/74 and has the aluminum turn signals. I don't know what month BMW stated using the black plastic turn signals.
I'd have a talk with the seller
Otherwise the bike looks great and if you're happy, no problems.
I sent the seller another email communication but this time asking how he might propose to make this situation a better one. After all, I purchased an item that really isn't what it was made out to be, and shame on me for not asking him to supply VIN verification prior to purchasing the motorcycle. The funny thing is that in all of the bikes that I have sold publicly no one ever asked me to supply that kind of verification either.
Alas
Alas
