Restamping a steering head

[chuck hahn]

I just had a thought about my untitled frame and the good title i have from the frame that was stolen. Has anyone ever welded over the bad numbers and restamped a head with good ones?? Any legalities as long as the VIN on the head matches my title when i go to register it?? I can get number stamps at HF

[salty_monk]

Technically I believe it's illegal but then so is replacing the steering head with one off another frame... In the UK they call it "ringing" and the "ringer" is usually a stolen vehicle given a non stolen ID.

I suspect that no questions would be asked unless the other frame with the same number re-surfaces somewhere... Still a risk though. In the "Kit car" world (I used to own a couple over there), buying a title & doing what you suggest is a somewhat common practice, I heard it used to be common practice with the Austin Mini's here in California. As they were all pretty much identical through the years they would import a more modern one using an older title...

[Buffalo Bill]

Looks like I need to do that for an engine number. My 1990 GSXF750 may have been stolen a long time ago, some PO ground off the engine number (?). I purchased a titled frame and swapped over everything a few years ago, tossed out the old frame.
I may try AHRMA racing and the rule book says tech will check engine numbers to be sure bikes have correct engines for bike model, cc and period.
The GSXF has a number plate on the frame, so that can't be modified.

PS: From reading ebay listings for track bikes, some squids dodge loan payments by selling bike to friend for track riding, then claiming the bike was stolen.

[LAB3]

I'm pretty sure the only way you can legally put a Frankenstein project on the road is with an Assembled title. The Secretary of State, DMV or equivalent in your state more than likely has the info on a website, I'd check there. Using the "A guy on the internet said" defense usually doesn't hold up well in court.