Panhead vin #

[MS-Geek]

Hi,

Last year I picked my '48 Panhead, ready to register it now (don't ask).

NY DMV claims they can't find my vin in their computer, maybe because it's too old.

When I look at the bike I see that the prefix on the title is not on the bike, so it's

3 48E** ***

I guess I should have asked her to try it without the 3

Has anyone seen this before? How far back does most DMV go.

They want me to bring it to a weigh station now as they couldn't get the weight from the vin

[66 Shovel-Pan]

IMHO you need to lose the 3.

[MS-Geek]

Thanks, it seems that NJ adds the prefix for the # of owners.

[HD48FL]

Thanks, it seems that NJ adds the prefix for the # of owners.

Check the history of why the "3" was added. I live in NJ and the state doesn't add the number of owners before the vin? I bought a '48 from out of state and simply transferred the title into my name, no one changed the vin.

[Hauula Pan]

I don't know about N.Y. or N.J. but Calif. DMV only goes back 5 years, after that its dropped from the system. They make you bring the bike in to verify the Engine # if the bike's too old to have a frame number. Or they'll have you take it to the CHP for the verification. I got a real dummy at DMV that insisted all bikes had frame numbers & had to make them call the CHP who informed them they were wrong.

[kitabel]

What's the belly number?

[panz4ever]

What's the belly number?

This...it varies by year and model. Ideally both halves should match



a closer pic...

[kitabel]

WHAT IS THE BELLY NUMBER, not what does it mean.

[George Greer]

WHAT IS THE BELLY NUMBER, not what does it mean.

Got a chuckle this morning out of that! Thought I was going to blow my morning coffee on the monitor....

George

[kitabel]

Always happy to see a novice explain these complex things to me.
I'll just get back on my turnip truck...

[Speeding Big Twin]

MS-Geek, are you sure it's the number 3 and not the letter B? I know very little about US licensing but on eBay I found what may be a proper Certificate of Ownership of a Motor Vehicle apparently from the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles. I cannot post a picture of it due to problems I'm having with image hosting sites but if you want to see it then you could send me your email address via PM.

It's for 50FL8+++ and appears to have been issued in the 1980s. It has the letter A as a prefix although the A was obviously not stamped on the engine and I don’t know what the A refers to.

My advice would be to again contact the DMV and enquire about your engine number but explain that the 3, or B, or whatever the character may be, on your title is not stamped on the crankcase.
Eric

[panz4ever]

Always happy to see a novice explain these complex things to me.
I'll just get back on my turnip truck...

Yup...suppose so...same 65 pan sine 1970 and HDs since 63...guess I am still a novice

[kitabel]

My work (motorcycles since 1963, H-D since 1967): http://www.victorylibrary.com/tech/tech.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Your work?

[panz4ever]

Used a few of those tech support docs. Nicely done. Have the Linkert booklet. Helped me get the correct one (and parts as well) for my 49 EL long term project.

Work Retired after 37 years as LEO, 22 in a SWAT environment last 10 as supervisor running a ten man team and 8 man sniper element.

Now doing part-time contract work for County getting folks with mental health problems out of the criminal justice system and into services and long term recovery

[awander]

I just gotta' say, picking on somebody because they misunderstood the question you were asking, and tried to help, doesn't seem like a nice thing to do.

It made me chuckle, reading it, because I know you are an expert, kitabel.

But you don;t have to be mean to the guy who tried to help you.