Bikes titled in Wisconson

I have a question. I might be buying a z1 from wisconson. The title matches the engine,not the frame. Guy told all motorcycles in Wisc., the title matches the engine ,not the frame.
Anyone from Wisc. can varify this for me
Cheers
gregz

Can't say the same for *all*, but I ran into the same issue on mine. I took my Frame # in and they couldn't find the bike, it was registered under the Engine #. I thought it was a fluke at the time.

Many years ago I shipped a bike from California to Wisconsin (California uses frame VIN) and registered it with the frame VIN in Wisconsin...didn't use the motor VIN. Things may have changed. :blink:

What state are you going to title it in? In Florida any out of state title has to have the vin verified and they use the frame vin so it would be a problem in Florida. Maybe some smooth talking would work with a title matching the motor but it would be a long shot.

Mcdroid wrote:

Many years ago I shipped a bike from California to Wisconsin (California uses frame VIN) and registered it with the frame VIN in Wisconsin...didn't use the motor VIN. Things may have changed. :blink:

I'm betting this is the case. But I just wanted to confirm that my 76 which was originally registered in WI was registered with the engine #.

I think a phone call to the DMV in Wisconsin would be the best bet. I have never heard of any state using "just the engine number. Quite a few use both on the title, but the frame number is the main, and first listed. Its not a big deal to get the engine number on a title changed, but the frame number is a whole different story.

Motor Head wrote:

I think a phone call to the DMV in Wisconsin would be the best bet. I have never heard of any state using "just the engine number. Quite a few use both on the title, but the frame number is the main, and first listed. Its not a big deal to get the engine number on a title changed, but the frame number is a whole different story.

Not to nit-pick, but again, the only number on my title starts with Z1E, not Z1F.

From Google:

www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/vehicles/title/mv1-5.htm

See excerpt from MV1 form (title application) below.
Note VIN, not Engine ID number.

You can also use the MV1 form to apply for registration (license plates) for your vehicle. If you already have valid Wisconsin license plates in your name, you can transfer them to another vehicle, if it is the same type (example: car to car, or truck to same weight class truck). Write the plate number you want to transfer on the application form.

If you don't have license plates, we will issue them to you. You will receive a Certificate of Registration with the Certificate of Title.


Good Fortune!

[Click on image to enlarge view.]

yeah, I agree that current bikes are probably registered via VIN (frame #), but it appears that these old bikes are registered via the engine ID

DoubleDub wrote:

Motor Head wrote:

I think a phone call to the DMV in Wisconsin would be the best bet. I have never heard of any state using "just the engine number. Quite a few use both on the title, but the frame number is the main, and first listed. Its not a big deal to get the engine number on a title changed, but the frame number is a whole different story.

Not to nit-pick, but again, the only number on my title starts with Z1E, not Z1F.

Since yours is registered in Wisconsin it could probably be titled again in Wisconsin. Its when you go from one state to another that will trip you up because of the vin verification that takes place with any out of state title.

I went through hell on my 650 with a Tennessee title transferring to Florida. Apparently Tennessee does not verify the vin so they titled it with wrong numbers, Florida does not play that way, they verify first. I had no idea the numbers were off untill I went to register it. I got the bike from my brother who had it legal in Tennessee for years. He passed away so he was no help on the Tennessee end. I ended up getting a frame from one of the members here (thanks kawsakiman) with a clear matching title from NY, again out of state but numbers matching. What a pain in the ass it was to deal with bureaucratic red tape.

I would contact the state it will be registered in to see what they say