ordering a new replacement frame (with same vin)

So I've seen a few online dealers offer this service, where they allow you to show them your title/registration for your bike, and they will ship you a new frame with the SAME vin # as your current bike stamped in. This sounds appealing to me since I have a bike (with a crack in the frame) and it has a valid title. Has anyone ever done this, is this legal in all states or will I go to prison somehow? Anyone have any recommendations on a dealer that will do this for a good price (for a Kawasaki zx6r)?

 

I was always under the impression that you would have to provide them with the original head stock so there is zero chance of two bikes with the same vin running around.

 

First I've heard of this...I'd be surprised if it's legal in ANY state.

 

I dont see how this could be legal.

 

This sounds like one of those situations like registering a salvage bike where what you can or can't do varies by state.

I would check with the local DMV (or whatever it's called in MD) to see if it's even possible before I sent anyone a check...and then be prepared to go back 3 or 4 times before finding someone there that actually will do what they told you could be done.

 

I order frames all the time. It's a part number. OEM's don't care what you're going to do with it. It's up to you to make it legal.

 

how does someone do this?

 

The frame can be ordered like any other part, it just comes blank (no vin). So I guess this might be some type of legal grey area...the state that I will be ordering from apparently allows certain dealers to restamp VINs, but I think my state does not allow this...oh well the bike will only be used for competition use only. Tired of buying used frames on ebay only to find out they have tiny little cracks in them all over the place.

 

If it were me, I'd talk to the guys building custom choppers in my area. They have the ability to essentially create a new VIN for every frame they create.

 

Ducati sent me a replacement frame for my old SuperSport. There was a "known issue" with the early frames cracking near the headstock area, and Ducati was willing to swap out the frames. Customer pays labor, or does the swap themselves and then you cut off and give your dealer the headstock from the cracked frame. I don't think that they are doing this anymore, and it took 11 months to get my new frame. There was an issue with importing the frame into the country with the same VIN, so they ended up having to import a blank frame and then having the VIN stamped on once it was in the US.

 

I was just curious as I know you can go through the state and have them provide you a vin, but it has to be street legal. Just curious about how to do it legally with a race bike

 

As long as you don't race in East Texas.

 

No State issues a VIN #. States only issue titles, to assign ownership.
My next race bike has a COD/salvage title from another state. Its not ever going on the road but FL issued me a COD title in my name with the proper documentation. Cost me about $125 all told.

 

Honda requires us to send in valid ID and copy of the title/mso for a bike in order to get a frame or engine case (side with engine number on it). They come blank and do not check what happens after we get it.

 

Weird, Kawasaki never bothered with any of that

They just threw a blank frame on an aircanada flight. They get them here in like 3 days from japan

 

i have a blank frame & carry registration, mine was destroyed while kartwheeling at blackhawk turn 2. babbittsonline.com is prob the best deal around

 

I did this with my bike. Ordered the frame using a Yamaha shop, took about 3 weeks. frames come in BLANK (no VIN) the dealer has a stamp kit, and takes your title, matches to the old frame VIN, stamps the same VIN into the new frame and it effectively a OEM frame. Every state does it. I have never heard of an individual doing it (not saying it cannot be done) but as noted I did it personally, and my Yamaha dealer was very familiar with the process.