Swapping frame, how to register new VIN?

[island boyeee]

Hello all,

I recently found out when replacing my steering head bearings, that one of the collars that the bearing races sits on is damaged beyond repair. Pete at GMD convinced me this was unsafe to ride as is, so I just found a new frame. I currently have a MA salvage title, but the new frame has a clean title from MN. I figured this would be a bonus to get my bike back to having a clean title.

Is there any way to register the new VIN without registering it as a new bike? Just trying to avoid paying sales tax on whatever ridiculous number the RMV values the bike at.


Thank you for any help,

-Ian-

[Kurlon]

Nope, new VIN means you start from scratch with the DMV unfortunately. There is a path to get a blank frame stamped with your old VIN for a repair but I don't know the particulars other than you can't start with an already stamped frame as the destination.

[Jim]

pretty sure you'd be registering a whole new vehicle with that frame. keep your old as a spare, or sell it.

[island boyeee]

damn... ok I figured as much. I looked at the blank frame/old VIN thing, it costs way more than the $600 I paid for this frame and title. I may just ride it for a while without registering it to delay the cost.

Does anyone know if I need a bill of sale to go with this frame as well?

And do I tell them I bought a new frame, or a new bike? I don't want to deal with them trying to tell me it should be a salvage title now because I swapped all the parts over, or that I need to have it inspected by a state trooper...


And yes I will be selling the old one, hopefully.

[Jim]

doesnt matter if you bought the frame or bike...it's the same thing.

i would assume you'll need a bill of sale and a copy of the title, if you're planning on titling it in your name and registering the bike

[Kurlon]

You'll need whatever you'd normally need to register a whole bike with that frame in the same situation. If you bought it used, a BOS plus title, etc.

[GingahNinjah]

turn it into a track only bike and get a new streetbike. done.

[island boyeee]

well then I would've just bought a salvage title frame.

I'll probably ask for an un-dated BOS then, and if/when I decide to register it, I'll throw a date on.


Thanks for the replies guys. I wasn't finding a concrete answer in my searches.

[DanRo]

damn... ok I figured as much. I looked at the blank frame/old VIN thing, it costs way more than the $600 I paid for this frame and title. I may just ride it for a while without registering it to delay the cost.

not sure if this is a good idea. In case of an accident / police checks your VIN, u may be uninsured/get into trouble .. plus they check the VIN no when they do the inspection.

Btw, why do you think it will cost you 600$ ? 75$ for Mass title + 20$ for registration ...

[SwiftTone]

not sure if this is a good idea. In case of an accident / police checks your VIN, u may be uninsured/get into trouble .. plus they check the VIN no when they do the inspection.

Btw, why do you think it will cost you 600$ ? 75$ for Mass title + 20$ for registration ...

Tax?

[DanRo]

Tax?

600$ would be for a 10k bike ... but maybe one of these would be useful .. http://www.mass.gov/dor/docs/dor/for...dfs/mvu-24.pdf ?


Dan

[Eric Baker]

I think he means he paid $600 for the used frame with title, which is much less than buying a brand new un-stamped frame and going through the process of having it stamped with the old VIN..

[island boyeee]

yes what Eric said. A new unstamped frame from Triumph is like $2,000...


DanRo that form is interesting.. but I'm not sure how I could get away with that. I don't think I can gift it to myself, and I'm not sure the guy I bought it from in MN would be willing to lie and say he just gave it to me.

But if I could somehow use that to say I'm just replacing the frame of a bike I already own and have paid tax on.. then that would be sweet. I may have to discuss with my insurance and the RMV.