VIN Number

[derrick79]

A found a dirt bike that I really want but the throttle cables have chaffed away the first 3 numbers of the VIN. The guy doesn't have it recorded anywhere either. Is there anyway to find out those first 3 numbers?

[westsidek20]

Its stolen, dont mess with it.

[beastie_3]

Pretty shady if he doesnt know the vin

[69byrd]

Think I would stay away from that one!

[slammed79]

Yeah, I'd let it alone.

[zieg85]

I don't see what the big deal is.  A dirt bike, probably not a lot of money, isn't going to go on the street anyway.  If the owner is willing to give you a signed/dated receipt with his drivers license number and you can see his drivers license you should be good to go.  The dirt bikes I have had never had titles.  As far as the cable, you should be able to go to a shop, whether it is a Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, or whatever it is with a picture and they should be able to figure out what it is so you can get an approximate year of manufacture.  I had a Honda 50 as a swap meet bike with the same problem, the cable just rubs the sticker numbers right off.

[Irish_Alley]

Is it a sticker or engraved. Sticker I can see it being worn but if it’s engraved then yeah it’s hot. But if I’m not mistaken if a cop for some oddball reason sees it will be taken, but that’s a big what if especially with a dirt bike. I now I know a buddy of mine had a truck with the vin switch nice lifted short bed , some other “friend” wanted it and knew about the vin so he pretty much blackmailed him about it and got it cheap. Now we have mud trucks with no vin and don’t worry because they don’t go on the road and we took the vins out for other trucks with no titles lol

[bake74]

     Do you have to register it in any way ?  If not then don't worry about it.  If you do, then the local dmv where he had it registered would have that information.

[beastie_3]

Id still run the VIN prior to sale.

[derrick79]

The numbers are engraved however it lines up perfectly with the cables. There is black smudges all over the area and the cables are worn too. As far as I know the first 3 numbers are the make and model and where it was built I think so I could probably take a good guess and figure them out. Having said that, removing those numbers on a stolen bike would be pointless right? If
It was done on purpose they did a very good job. The guy was willin to write a bill of sale with his information on it. The DMV said they could find it using the last 8 but there is a fee so I will go there Monday. With the way the "damage" looks and the guy being so willing I think I will be ok but you never know. Anyway thanks everyone. I will let you all know.

[Irish_Alley]

yeah if the cables line up and all it should be good. most time i see all the vin removed not just the first 3