Registering an engine?

shmike · 07-25-2011, 12:10 PM

I have a frame from my old race bike for sale (clean title).

A guy wants to buy it from me but needs the engine number so he can register it with the bike.

The problem is that the engine was sold out of this bike over 2 years ago.

I've never heard of registering a motorcycle engine and wondered if anyone here had ever dealt with such a thing or if this guy is just clueless.

Buyer is in Minnesota.

Trip · 07-25-2011, 12:34 PM

never heard of such a thing, you register the frame here.

Particle Man · 07-25-2011, 12:34 PM

Not sure about MN but he should just need your title and the number off the frame to get a state issued title.

The engine number should only be needed once he's looking to register it (i.e. get a plate issued), if at all (never heard of that requirement anywhere)

Here's MN DMV's website just in case

http://www.dmv.com/mn/minnesota/vehicle-registration

fasternyou929 · 07-25-2011, 01:11 PM

Every state I've lived in and had a bike (MI, IL, FL, and NC)... the title follows the frame/VIN. Engine swaps are commonplace and the DMV is not and does not want to be in the business of tracking engines.

Particle Man · 07-25-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fasternyou929

Every state I've lived in and had a bike (MI, IL, FL, and NC)... the title follows the frame/VIN. Engine swaps are commonplace and the DMV is not and does not want to be in the business of tracking engines.

Add NY to the list (not where you've lived but that just require the VIN off the frame)

Dave · 07-25-2011, 02:15 PM

He's clueless

Rangerscott · 07-25-2011, 08:38 PM

Yea its just the frame. You can have monster truck and its registered as a ford fiesta. LOL

The engine vin should be the same as the frame vin unless its really old and the company of tye bike didnt do it that way.

101lifts2 · 07-29-2011, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

He's clueless

Nah he is correct....

The DMV in CA requires the engine number for registration. Now, it does not matter what it is, but they require it. In fact is it written right on the registration card. I want to say it written on a California title as well.

anthonyk · 07-29-2011, 12:58 PM

Even in CA, there's no need for the guy to get the original engine number (which is what it sounds like he wants). The number from whatever engine he puts in it should be fine.

shmike · 07-29-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthonyk

Even in CA, there's no need for the guy to get the original engine number (which is what it sounds like he wants). The number from whatever engine he puts in it should be fine.

That's what I told him.

If you are building a bike, put the number of the engine that is in the bike on the title/registration.

I haven't heard back from the guy so I'm not going to worry about it.

07-25-2011, 12:10 PM	#1
shmike Follower Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5,549	Registering an engine? I have a frame from my old race bike for sale (clean title). A guy wants to buy it from me but needs the engine number so he can register it with the bike. The problem is that the engine was sold out of this bike over 2 years ago. I've never heard of registering a motorcycle engine and wondered if anyone here had ever dealt with such a thing or if this guy is just clueless. Buyer is in Minnesota. __________________ Racing For Smiles

07-25-2011, 12:34 PM	#3
Particle Man Custom User Title Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central NY Moto: 2003 SV650S Posts: 14,959	Not sure about MN but he should just need your title and the number off the frame to get a state issued title. The engine number should only be needed once he's looking to register it (i.e. get a plate issued), if at all (never heard of that requirement anywhere) Here's MN DMV's website just in case http://www.dmv.com/mn/minnesota/vehicle-registration __________________ I'm not "fat." I'm "Enlarged to show texture." Handle every stressful situation like a DOG: If you can't eat it or hump it, pi$$ on it & walk away.

07-25-2011, 12:34 PM	#2
Trip Hold mah beer! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 80 Miles South of Moto Heaven Moto: 08 R1200GS Posts: 23,268	never heard of such a thing, you register the frame here.

07-25-2011, 01:11 PM	#4
fasternyou929 SFL Expatriate #2 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Moto: CBR1000 Posts: 2,043	Every state I've lived in and had a bike (MI, IL, FL, and NC)... the title follows the frame/VIN. Engine swaps are commonplace and the DMV is not and does not want to be in the business of tracking engines.

07-25-2011, 02:15 PM	#6
Dave Chaotic Neutral Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cherry Hill NJ Moto: GV1200 Madura, Hawk gt Posts: 13,992	He's clueless

07-25-2011, 08:38 PM	#7
Rangerscott Viff6N Mutated Warrior Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Texas Moto: '01 Honda VFR 800 & '09 ER-6N Posts: 8,704	Yea its just the frame. You can have monster truck and its registered as a ford fiesta. LOL The engine vin should be the same as the frame vin unless its really old and the company of tye bike didnt do it that way.

07-29-2011, 12:58 PM	#9
anthonyk WERA White Plate Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Austin, TX Moto: '01 Aprilia Falco Posts: 1,041	Even in CA, there's no need for the guy to get the original engine number (which is what it sounds like he wants). The number from whatever engine he puts in it should be fine.