ATF

I was referring to ATV trikes, as opposed to quad bikes. After a huge number of deaths on trikes in the late eighties in the US, there was a ban introduced, about the time the Honda Pilot came along.

I must admit I don't remember the full details of the ban, but it was fairly well publicised withing the corporate entertainment industry. There were two reasons for the large number of deaths and injuries, firstly trikes are inherently unstable and tip over easily, usually on top of the rider. And secondly, the steering geometry can be effected by an undulating surface, specifically they can steer in a different direction to where you point the handlebars.

Now like everything else a skilled rider can get around these problems and can learn to handle the bikes in a race situation, usually by drifting, so I think the ban was somehow aimed at the CE industry.

But in my experience they are strictly low speed machines, anyone seen the Top Gear feature on the Reliant Robin?

Putting an electric golf cart engine in the RR shouldn't be a problem. If I remember correctly they were made from fiberglass anyway. It's got a roof rack too!

So you see that as a Rolls Royce do you? Perhaps your aspirations are set a little low. Are you by any chance from Albania?

Also it has a 850cc petrol engine not electric and Delboy bought a real Roller when he sold the watch, I know it is confusing, but try to keep up.

Anyway he would be better off in that, at least his GF could hide in the back.

Where did Rolls Royce come from? RR (Reliant Robin) get it? Obviously humor isn't your strongpoint so do your best to keep up. None of your biz where I'm from. How do you transport your rent boy? You're definitely from Gayland.

I was referring to ATV trikes, as opposed to quad bikes. After a huge number of deaths on trikes in the late eighties in the US, there was a ban introduced, about the time the Honda Pilot came along.

I must admit I don't remember the full details of the ban, but it was fairly well publicised withing the corporate entertainment industry. There were two reasons for the large number of deaths and injuries, firstly trikes are inherently unstable and tip over easily, usually on top of the rider. And secondly, the steering geometry can be effected by an undulating surface, specifically they can steer in a different direction to where you point the handlebars.

Now like everything else a skilled rider can get around these problems and can learn to handle the bikes in a race situation, usually by drifting, so I think the ban was somehow aimed at the CE industry.

But in my experience they are strictly low speed machines, anyone seen the Top Gear feature on the Reliant Robin?

Putting an electric golf cart engine in the RR shouldn't be a problem. If I remember correctly they were made from fiberglass anyway. It's got a roof rack too!

Oh the joys of Thailand! I don't know what's worse a 25 year old girl being seen with you or being seen on that piece of krap. At least an old Thai would respect his young woman by transporting her in a decent car. But hold on maybe she has a plan!

A few years back the tool box from “Spoonman” would have worked, but now a day the Department of Transport is checking the validation of a VIM with the official representative in Thailand.

They have to announce the VIM validate or not and any additional information... Most modern motorcycle manufacturers now-a-day keep track of who the owner of a motorcycle by the VIM, so if you try to change the VIM you will not only change the age, origin and previous ownership... You actually face serious time in Bangkok Hilton...

Even if you try to cheat a fake frame number pass the DLT in most European countries and probably the USA you probably face serious amount of time in jail... Thailand is not different...

Hi Richard,

I think Spoonman was being a a little "tongue in cheek" and most VIN numbers now are raised anyway, but a blank frame would need some sort of number to be used as a VIN. Additionally it still wouldn't explain how I got the bike into the country because to get a green book you have to show you paid import tax. Otherwise as you stated earlier you have to be a registered mc manufacturer to get a bike registered which has been built in Thailand. After speaking with you guys I think the only way out is to get a wrecked bike and legally transfer the VIN because bike frames get damaged all the time there must be a facility for this. Likewise if your engine blows up in your car there's no problem getting a new engine and re-registering the new engine in the green book. However with a car the authorities would be very suspicious if you wanted to change the VIN. Oh I've just bought a superlight alloy subframe for my Benz and need the VIN changed. No way!

It looks like you are going to have to go the full route & pay an awful lot to get a custom built out of a non booked frame & not even a booked anywhere engine.Richard probably has the best data for you to consider as he is correct on what is required now(being a dealer) with all the new regs. Expect to pay a ton on the emissions & getting the bike booked. It would have in hindsight been a hell of a lot cheaper to just have bought the 1100 from Red Baron or one of the other companies that do importing since it really takes knowing what you are doing to get it legal. Watch recycled books or dodgy ways to do getting the bike legal. The police can & do lift bikes they find major discrepancies like yours may have the way you were thinking on doing it. They have been checking a lot closer the last 2 years when I have gone to the DLT here in Pattaya area. I am sure that would be more than a minor pissoff if the heat fancied & kept your bike with a crushed title that basically is only good if you are a cop to drive. If or when you get into an accident regardless of who is at fault would be the absolute easiest timing for the authorities to find you have non matching numbers & crush your title & confiscate the bike.

Thanks for the heads up. I'll have to go and talk to the DLT about changing the frame but if I change the frame I expect I'll have to keep the old one so probably better to spend $$$$ elsewhere.

If you build a motorcycle in Thailand from parts, and you're not a registered / licensed motorcycle company that has all the paperwork to do it legally, the motorcycle you build will still have to pass the Thai safety and environmental testing procedure.. And you will encounter the usual difficulty if you try to register it...

Do you know you can configure the specifications of your Ducati in Thailand http://www.ducatithailand.com/special_configurator/index.do

Thanks for the info and the link but my mods go way beyond what Ducati offer. Looks like the only way out is to try to find a wrecked Ducati.

The lack of frame number will be a problem and that will be the least of the issues because technically you can no longer register a bike built from parts...... there is ways around this but illegal stuff cannot be discussed on TV.

Easiest would be to buy a Ducati that is already registered and mod it.

I already have a similar Ducati which is registered but It's got to the stage I'm going to end up with two bikes. Maybe I could try to buy an insurance writeoff an transfer that book to my old bike?

Hi,

I am in the process of an building a Ducati Monster out of high end parts. Custom engine, frame wheels, everything. I won't need to get it safety approved because all the parts are all Ducati spec and it will look exactly the same as a standard Monster 1100 EVO. However how am I going to register it an what is it going to cost? It will have no frame number because it's a special alloy frame but stock design.

Any input would be highly appreciated.