VIN and Registration Questions

[RichV]

Does anyone know how to do a title search on the short VIN on the 81 XS1100SH? I can't get the online ones to work. I'm sure someone covered it before in the forum but I just can't seem to locate it using the forum search. Sorry if I'm just asking a question that has been answered many times before.

I have an engine without a title and I want to check and see if it's stolen before I use it. All I have is the short VIN stamped in the case.

Also, I need to know if anyone has registered their bike as a "vintage" bike in the commonwealth of Virginia. I can do a regular registration or vintage.

Thanks

[GLoweVA]

Hey rich, I've got one antique plate and one regular plate. John (nightengale) has antique plate for his bike too.
As you probably know the upside is no inspection and no renewal, but the downside is it's not supposed to be a daily driver.

As per the vin search, let me look at my 81 and see if i can figure it out. I think the 13? Digit vin has the short number in it. I'll post in an hour or so.

[GLoweVA]

Okay, so my vin is JYA4R100 9 BA002299
My 'serial' number is 4R1-002299
So you you can probably figure out what the vin would be for your engine.
The J is Japan, the Y is Yamaha, I think the A is those bikes sold in America.

Maybe other 81 owners can chime in and comfirm.

[RichV]

As you know, I have two of these bikes from the same year. The VIN on the on I have clear title of is JYA4R000 5 BA003461 on the label with the serial number (stamped number) of 4R0-003461. The engine I have is 4R0-001037 without a clear title (I only have a bill of sale). You would think the number would be JYA4R0 5 BA001037 for the original frame.

Well if I use the search engines for VINs they all tell me the long and short are not real VINs. My title actually only has the shorter serial number on it, which is odd but they told me at DMV that it's okay for this model since it matches the stamp.

I for the Antique/Vintage plate, there are a lot of restrictions such as being within 500 miles of home unless you are going to an event. I have another motorcycle so I can get around the primary bike issue. The inspection won't be a problem since I plan to have it totally compliant anyway. I just thing the Antique plate looks nicer and speaks to the age of the bike.

Which one do you use? The black or yellow one?

[DGXSER]

For what its worth, it seems 81 was the transition year to go to the longer VIN. My first SH had the long VIN, my current SH has a short VIN.

As to the engine, well, if it helps you sleep better about it, there is a possibility that even if the bike that originally had that engine in it got stolen, that a PO had swapped the engine out. So the one you have was not in the bike when it got stolen. So your engine is not stolen.

[motoman]

For what its worth, it seems 81 was the transition year to go to the longer VIN. My first SH had the long VIN, my current SH has a short VIN.

As to the engine, well, if it helps you sleep better about it, there is a possibility that even if the bike that originally had that engine in it got stolen, that a PO had swapped the engine out. So the one you have was not in the bike when it got stolen. So your engine is not stolen.

Very true...........and cause of the shorter vin, since they were actually built in 80' instead of 81, which had a longer vin actually caused mine to become in question for DMV when I bought it new. Actually had a vehicle inspector from Col. State Patrol come to dealership and inspect bike while it sat on showroom floor.....after I puchased it new.

A long story short....dealer stated he didn't think CSP had enough funds to take on Mother Yamaha if inspector decided to 'acid' check those vin numbers, which he was intending to do. I personnally added, unless he had 5grand cash up front, I suggested he keep the acid away from bike..period. This all happened when i bought it new.
Well, ironicly, getting bike back a decade and a half later, had to take it to dealer here, and pay the $15 for inspection to satisfy DMV.....again, and of course for the last time.