Wasn't sure where to post this...need advice.

[JS750]

Ok, so here it goes. I bought my very much loved 82 GS750T around this time last year from a good friend of mine. I bought it the moment I saw it, registered it, insured it, rode it, tore it apart this winter, cleaned things up and been riding it on and off lately as the weather has been getting nicer out. Well for whatever reason my insurance company called me last week and said they needed the vin#. So I took a snap shot and brought it in, no big deal. Well turns out the vin they had on file did not match the one on the bike. Uh oh. I was hoping it was a clerical error, but when I got home I checked and sure enough the vin on the title doesn't match. FML.

Now I talked to my friend and he owned the bike for almost 5 years and he said he never even checked. He bought it from a friend of his who had it 3 years, who I also talked to, and he said he never really check it either and he got it from a guy from Rock Falls. They both said they registered it fine and never had a problem getting insurance on it, but they were both pretty sure it was off the title and not the vin on the bike. My only concern is Illinois cops can now check from the license plate if you have insurance or not. And if they run the plate they might see the two different vins. Also if the bike is ever impounded or stolen, I have no proof it's mine besides what my insurance company now has on file.

So here I am with this catastroph&%k of a situation and am not sure what to do. Illinois DMVs have not been very helpful or friendly in the past and have a feeling they are just gonna blow me off. I believe my friend and I don't think he would of screwed me over or at least would of told me about it up front, and I don't think it would be stolen considering the 7-8 years between the two of them owning it. I'm gonna try calling the dmv in the am and see if I can get someone that's in maybe a decent enough mood to help me, otherwise does anyone on here have any advice? From what I been reading its quite hard/next to impossible to get a title w/o original owner here in Illinois.

Thanks for reading and hope all my $$$, Time, and sweat didnt go into this bike for nothing.

[wymple]

I've never heard of a cop, even at road checks, reading a VIN# unless they thought the bike was stolen to begin with. I'm not sure why the insurance company would give a rat's *ss anyhow if you only carry liability on it. Tell them to use whichever number they like. Seems to me that in the unlikely event of a check the worst you get is a ticket for improper registration. They'd have to prove you stole it or knowingly bought it hot to get any further.

[JS750]

My friend also reassured me saying that he got pulled over and they never checked the vin. Idk I suppose I might be over reacting, but I've put alot of work into this bike and to think my ownership isn't "legit" kinda bothers me. I've had vehicle registration issues with the law before and rather not go through it again...especially involving my bike

[wymple]

Move to Iowa. Problem solved. We won't hassle you unless you are asking for it.

[earlfor]

As it is now, the vin on the title is not the same as the one of the bike. So, technically, your bike is not registered in your state. I believe it was either Maine, Vermont or New Hampshire that will title a old bike by mail for a very small fee. All you will need is a bill of sale from the previous owner. (can't remember which, but someone here will) When you get your new title, take it to your local DMV and have it transferred to your state.

[XR750]

In PA, the state inspection tech checks vehicle VIN against registration VIN. Guess you don't have that. Have you checked the frame vin to see if it's stolen? If not, I'd start there. If it comes back stolen you have to make some choices. If it comes back clean, supposedly you can register it in VT even though you don't live there. Once you have that paperwork re-register it in your state and so forth. Ive also seen a service company that will get you a Maine title for a fee. Search the web for lost title service.

[JS750]

Ive heard of the Vermont loophole, has anyone here actually tried it? It seems a lil sketchy to me but I'm willing to try it if it'll work.

[Mista M]

I haven't tried iit, but wouldn't hesitate if needed.
I know I have had my Vin checked here in Michigan at a traffic stop. Make it right or pay the price of a confiscated bike.