Engine # doesn't match?

[slowater427]

I'm looking at buying a used bike: it's a 97 yz 125. I spoke with the owner and everything sounds good except he said the engine # and VIN on the frame don't match up. Is this a big red flag? He said he has a clean pink and the VIN on the frame matches the title. Also the bike is currently reg'd so thats another plus. So I'm pondering if it's a deal breaker or not.

I don't want to drive all the way to Livermore for nothin so thought maybe you guys could let me know your own thoughts on the mismatched #s and possible things to look out for.

 

[planegray]

If the numbers on the bike, don't match the numbers on the pink slip, it could lead to problems with law enforcement. The only questions are: when will the problem occur, and who will have the problem.

I'd recommend avoiding problems, myself

(If the guy's serious about selling the bike, have HIM get the numbers on the pink slip fixed )

 

[afm199]

Depends on whether the motor is hot or not. You can take the bike to the DMV and have it checked. The DMV guy will read the motor number, run it, and then if it runs clean, issue you the form to have the title changed to include the new number. If the motor number does not run clean they will call the CHP and you will have to give it up. Immediately. I usually call the CHP with a motor number if I have questions. They will always run it for you.

It costs nothing to do the paperwork, just time.

In short. If the motor is hot, you have problems. You could ask the guy for a written bill of sale with the motor number and HIS signature. That way at least you are out of line of fire on theft charges. But me? I would never buy a bike with mismatched numbers.

 

[OaklandF4i]

125 2strokes can be little time bombs if not maintained. I grenaded a few in my youth. So Im sure thats what happened. But I would definately run the vin number on the engine AND get a bill of sale with his sig even if it comes back clean. Then ask yourself how good of a deal is it? Is it worth it? what does the seller say. Only you can answer that.

If an owner grenaded the motor and cracked the cases, I too would have looked for a used motor as the cases are big bucks. And I would have kept a paper trail.

 

[slowater427]

That's good info. So if I call CHP they can tell me if it's a stolen motor? If it's not stolen then I should be in the clear with changing the numbers on the title? Also when I renew the sticker do they even check the motor #? I don't think there's alot if situations where any Leo or ranger actually looks for discrepancies between a motor # and VIN on a dirtbike in the 1st place.

Id like the numbers to match though.. Maybe I can get a better deal on the yz cuz of all this.

 

[svclee]

^ good place to start CHP.

 

[afm199]

That's good info. So if I call CHP they can tell me if it's a stolen motor? If it's not stolen then I should be in the clear with changing the numbers on the title? Also when I renew the sticker do they even check the motor #? I don't think there's alot if situations where any Leo or ranger actually looks for discrepancies between a motor # and VIN on a dirtbike in the 1st place.

Id like the numbers to match though.. Maybe I can get a better deal on the yz cuz of all this.

Yes. Not a problem. If they won't tell you try the local PD. They can access CHP for that. Motor numbers don't get checked usually but they DO get posted as stolen.......

 

[mweitz]

DMV doesn't do inspections on engine swaps, they get referred straight to CHP.

DMV doesn't do a lot of engine swaps. It is a confusing thing for them.

Expect to eat up a day of your time getting an engine number and VIN number to match. In my case, it was slightly more (seriously, about 10 hours of my time). Of course, my clueless DMV lady made it worse. I spent about 3 hours the first day at DMV. The next week I spent a couple of hours at CHP and then went straight to DMV and spent another couple of hours there. I also had to trailer my bikes each time and drive time back and forth and such.

Depends on whether the motor is hot or not. You can take the bike to the DMV and have it checked. The DMV guy will read the motor number, run it, and then if it runs clean, issue you the form to have the title changed to include the new number. If the motor number does not run clean they will call the CHP and you will have to give it up. Immediately. I usually call the CHP with a motor number if I have questions. They will always run it for you.

It costs nothing to do the paperwork, just time.

In short. If the motor is hot, you have problems. You could ask the guy for a written bill of sale with the motor number and HIS signature. That way at least you are out of line of fire on theft charges. But me? I would never buy a bike with mismatched numbers.

 

[Butch]

its a dirbike! i wouldn't worry about it. There is not really a market for used YZ125 motors. Really. Peeps steal Toyota Camrys for parts, not $900 motorcycles.

 

[mweitz]

There are 3 on Ebay right now, from 850 to 1K.

Edit, and how else would the bike not have the original engine? Of course there is a market for them.

its a dirbike! i wouldn't worry about it. There is not really a market for used YZ125 motors. Really. Peeps steal Toyota Camrys for parts, not $900 motorcycles.

 

[SLOryder]

my bike hasnt had matching numbers for my last 2 motors and cracked cases. there are tons of reasons why you wouldnt have matching numbers. Cops dont check numbers unless you do something dumb or are being investigated anyway. still a good idea to get it checked but the guy seems like he is being up front. did he say why they dont match?

 

[slowater427]

Yea I had the same thoughts too. But I wanted to see if anybody else ran into probs of any kind with mismatched numbers. The guy seems up front but who knows. He got the bike with the diff motor in it.. It was seized and he rebuilt it. He said the guy he got it from didn't know much about the bike.

I think it's worth checking out in person at least, Im thinking the numbers won't bother me too much if the thing rips and is in good shape, as well as having the title in hand.

Thanks for the insight guys!

 

[Butch]

There are 3 on Ebay right now, from 850 to 1K.

Edit, and how else would the bike not have the original engine? Of course there is a market for them.

i forget that e bay has created a market for everything and anything.

 

[afm199]

DMV doesn't do inspections on engine swaps, they get referred straight to CHP.

DMV doesn't do a lot of engine swaps. It is a confusing thing for them.

Expect to eat up a day of your time getting an engine number and VIN number to match. In my case, it was slightly more (seriously, about 10 hours of my time). Of course, my clueless DMV lady made it worse. I spent about 3 hours the first day at DMV. The next week I spent a couple of hours at CHP and then went straight to DMV and spent another couple of hours there. I also had to trailer my bikes each time and drive time back and forth and such.

Wrong.

Wrong

Wrong.

I put a spare motor in, went to DMV with bill of sale. They had their inspector READ THE NUMBER and run it, then issue me A PAPER that I took to the DMV COUNTER and used to get a NEW PINK SLIP>

Sorry you wasted your time. I rode my bike there.

 

[rritterson]

I put a spare motor in, went to DMV with bill of sale. They had their inspector READ THE NUMBER and run it, then issue me A PAPER that I took to the DMV COUNTER and used to get a NEW PINK SLIP>

So? You are entirely at the mercy of DMV when it comes to DMV. Even if they are making a huge clusterfark of things you can't say 'Let's do it this way' and expect it to happen. If it took 10 hours for someone, it could take 10 hours for someone else, even if it doesn't have to.

 

[mweitz]

Just because they made a mistake for you, or because you did it in 1912 before they had computer systems doesn't make me wrong,

She printed out the portion of their rulebook that shows that all motorcycle engine swaps require a CHP inspection / referral.

This is the dirt forum, most folks can't "ride" their dirtbikes to the DMV, or CHP. It is best to have the most accurate information possible before fucking around with it. My information is as of Sept '10.

Wrong.

Wrong

Wrong.

I put a spare motor in, went to DMV with bill of sale. They had their inspector READ THE NUMBER and run it, then issue me A PAPER that I took to the DMV COUNTER and used to get a NEW PINK SLIP>

Sorry you wasted your time. I rode my bike there.

 

[afm199]

Just because they made a mistake for you, or because you did it in 1912 before they had computer systems doesn't make me wrong,

She printed out the portion of their rulebook that shows that all motorcycle engine swaps require a CHP inspection / referral.

This is the dirt forum, most folks can't "ride" their dirtbikes to the DMV, or CHP. It is best to have the most accurate information possible before fucking around with it. My information is as of Sept '10.

Very funny. You kids

Apologies for saying you are wrong. You're not. Your way works. mine may be easier. or not.

There are many ways to do it. Your's works too. Or fill out a REG256 (DMV statement of facts) and take that in all filled out. The DMV is like any bureaucracy. If you go in and ask: "How do I ?", if they don't know they will send you elsewhere rather than tell you they don't know. So they will say it can't be done or send you to the CHP. If you bring in the 256, you are giving them a signed form that if anything fucks up it is on you. That's all they need, a piece of paper with your signature that absolves them of ignorance. The 256 is a beautiful form it covers a lot of sins.

 

[afm199]

So? You are entirely at the mercy of DMV when it comes to DMV. Even if they are making a huge clusterfark of things you can't say 'Let's do it this way' and expect it to happen. If it took 10 hours for someone, it could take 10 hours for someone else, even if it doesn't have to.

Or you could spend ten hours tripping around doing it wrong because you don't know how to ask for it.

 

[mweitz]

Been busy riding.

Like I said, she printed up the portion out of the book that showed any motor swap on a motorcycle requires CHP verification.

Here is the DMV link.

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d03/vc4161.htm


This is the interesting portion.

c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or any other provision of law, whenever an application is made to the department to register a replacement engine case for any motorcycle, the department shall request the Department of the California Highway Patrol to inspect the motorcycle to determine its proper identity. If the replacement engine case bears the same identifying numbers as the engine case being replaced, the original engine case shall be destroyed. A determination verifying proof of destruction shall be made by the Department of the California Highway Patrol.

It isn't so much as my way works, it is that is what is required by DMV policy. I learned the hard way, no biggie. I'm just trying to pass it on so others don't have to as well

It is important to understand that when you are dealing with the DMV, what they may have done for you isn't always policy. I was 99% there and then the inspector who was also the supervisor realized it was a VIN inspection for an engine swap and he referred me. He looked at my 256. I should have held on to that until he was finished, but didn't realize at the time it was a required referral. I went in and told them what I was doing and how to do it. I was confident I had all my ducks in a row.

At some DMVs you could probably go in all day and do engine swaps without a hitch. At some they will nail you.

A form 256 is required along with the referred CHP VIN inspection, so it isn't a "get out of jail free" card. I'm working on my third engine swap with DMV in the last 8 months right now.

So, in summary, the requirements for a moto engine swap are:

*Title
*CHP VIN Inspection (the form is on the back of the Change of Title form)
Some CHP Stations require you go to DMV first and get a referral
*Statement of facts.
*Paperwork from the engine you are putting in.
(my last one I wasn't asked for this, but I have another hangup I'm working on)

Very funny. You kids

Apologies for saying you are wrong. You're not. Your way works. mine may be easier. or not.

There are many ways to do it. Your's works too. Or fill out a REG256 (DMV statement of facts) and take that in all filled out. The DMV is like any bureaucracy. If you go in and ask: "How do I ?", if they don't know they will send you elsewhere rather than tell you they don't know. So they will say it can't be done or send you to the CHP. If you bring in the 256, you are giving them a signed form that if anything fucks up it is on you. That's all they need, a piece of paper with your signature that absolves them of ignorance. The 256 is a beautiful form it covers a lot of sins.

 

[mweitz]

So? You are entirely at the mercy of DMV when it comes to DMV. Even if they are making a huge clusterfark of things you can't say 'Let's do it this way' and expect it to happen. If it took 10 hours for someone, it could take 10 hours for someone else, even if it doesn't have to.

Yes, I missed a Dr. appt that I made clear I had to get to an hour earlier.

What happened is she fucked things up so much that she had to "unwind" them, and she didn't realize it needed a referral until almost the end. She got herself flustered, was losing papers, throwing away things we needed etc.

Even had I known I would have needed the referral, it would have taken about 8 hours total, but that was just because she screwed things up so much.

Be very careful when dealing with DMV employees. Only do ONE thing at a time. Don't get them confused or upset. Be their ally. Be calm, cool and resourceful. Encourage them and tell them what a good job they are doing. It may sound funny, but I have a lot of experience with the DMV over the last year, and it makes a HUGE difference. Reseach what you need beforehand, have all the forms and have them filled out. Budget plenty of extra time for snags. It makes them much more comfortable if you seem to know what is going on and have everything ready to go. Don't forget to throw one of these in there: "Wow, that is one of the most complicated transactions you can do I bet, GREAT JOB".