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how to spot a stolen bike
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 7:59 pm
by mysta2
so how do you identify a stolen bike, there's one in my area that looks too good to be true (perfect parts swapper for "69")
so how can I tell if it's hot?
Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:56 pm
by Sev
You can take the VIN to the DMV. But that only works if it's the original VIN.
Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 3:31 am
by mysta2
yeah but I don't know what that is, will they give me a list of stolen '75 cb360 vins so I can go out there with it in hand and check? I would have to be descreet about it of course.
Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 5:15 am
by Jamers!
mysta2 wrote:yeah but I don't know what that is, will they give me a list of stolen '75 cb360 vins so I can go out there with it in hand and check? I would have to be descreet about it of course.
vechical identification number. Every bike and car has one and no two are the same. If you can get the VIN off the bike (my ninjas was on enigne block) then take the VIN to the DMV and they can tell ya if it was reported stolen.
JWF
Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 5:41 am
by storysunfolding
There's a guy who's a regular at my girlfriend restaurant. He's getting us some hard to find parts for her magna. He apparently has alot of bikes that he's picked up and never fixed up over the years. Then he told her that he can get her a title for anything for free.
I don't think we're asking questions on the magna parts because they're so damned hard to find but there are guys out there that operate on the far side of shady.
Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 6:01 am
by kosmic klown
storysunfolding wrote: there are guys out there that operate on the far side of shady.
and they usually live in NJ
Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:05 pm
by mysta2
JWF505 wrote:vechical identification number. Every bike and car has one and no two are the same. If you can get the VIN off the bike (my ninjas was on enigne block) then take the VIN to the DMV and they can tell ya if it was reported stolen.JWF
... umm. that's not what I meant, thanks though.
BTW: at least with older bikes, often the engine number and the frame number are different. Usually the bike's registered by the frame number.
Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 10:15 pm
by liablemtl
mysta2 wrote:yeah but I don't know what that is, will they give me a list of stolen '75 cb360 vins so I can go out there with it in hand and check? I would have to be descreet about it of course.
No... the DMV would likely not give you a list. You could ask, but I doubt they'd supply you with such a thing.
Perhaps you could become a police officer... then you could look up each bike.

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 4:32 am
by mysta2
yeah, the police are useful, I asked a cop this same question and she told me to bring it to the station after I bought it and they could tell me if it was stolen or not.

They make my blood boil.
So no one knows how I could arm myself before taking a look at it. I've already reuested a VIN from the guy through e mail.
Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 5:02 am
by CNF2002
Ask the seller if its hot.