I Need Answers About My Bike Problem

[200mphplus]

Hello, I recently bought my self a bike here, I am new to buying bikes here and i didnt realize that the front number and the engine number are not the same, but the so called green book i have had both numbers etc, and the name of the previous owner, it also have tags up tp date and insurance, but wheni tried to registered in my name the DMV wont let me cause of the different numbers, so what do I do? how come the other guy did have his name on it?

and my Second problem is that.....my license plate just fell off the bike yesterday!!!!!!!!! it must of just come off when i was riding, so how do i go about getting a new plate if its not in my name and the guy left town? do i get one ilegally? if yes where? if not then what do i do? i have the book, the insurance and the previous owners information, work permit etc.....please help, i cant ride now cause i have no plate!!!

[Meridian007]

Hi! Are you saying that the green book has different numbers than the ones on your bike? If so, then yes you were sold a bike without papers that the guy just threw a (probably fake) book in with. The V.I.N. for the frame and the engine must be the same as the ones in the book for you to be able to transfer it. That is your first step before you can get a plate.

If you do a search on fake books and/or plates you should find some info where you can pick up a fake book and plates that they will "match" to your bike. Sorry I can't be more help, I've never done any of this personally, I'm just going on what I've read here and on GT.

Good Luck!

If you want to know what to look for next time you buy a bike so that you get a "tabien tae" (real green book), just ask and I'll post it!

[LivinLOS]

When you say the number are not the same.. What numbers ??

The frame number (on the frame !! Up front on the head stock) will not match the engine number.. They are two different numbers obviously.

However if the DMV have refused to put it in your name I am guessing the numbers dont match the book.. In which case you have been screwed, next time triple check. The bike could be anything from just unregistered or repaired with a new frame, to stolen to whatever.

[200mphplus]

Hi! Are you saying that the green book has different numbers than the ones on your bike? If so, then yes you were sold a bike without papers that the guy just threw a (probably fake) book in with. The V.I.N. for the frame and the engine must be the same as the ones in the book for you to be able to transfer it. That is your first step before you can get a plate.

If you do a search on fake books and/or plates you should find some info where you can pick up a fake book and plates that they will "match" to your bike. Sorry I can't be more help, I've never done any of this personally, I'm just going on what I've read here and on GT.

Good Luck!

If you want to know what to look for next time you buy a bike so that you get a "tabien tae" (real green book), just ask and I'll post it!

Hi, thanks for the reply, well the numbers in in the front end and the engine are different, but they both do match the book numbers, i think he must of changed the front bars,what do i do now? i mostly interested in trying to get another lic. plate that mathches one in the book and the one on the tags, so where do i do this besides DMV? i mean i just want to replace the one that was lost. what do i do?

[Zzinged]

Where did you buy the bike?

[HDRIDER]

Hi

Go to the police and show them the book and get a piece af paper there say you lost the plate, then you can drive again.

[LivinLOS]

On what basis did the DMV not allow a transfer of ownership ??

Also if you have a book, and things dont all line up.. Sometimes a little 'grease' slides everything along.. Probably best if thats handled by a trusted Thai rather than over the counter tho

[200mphplus]

On what basis did the DMV not allow a transfer of ownership ??

Also if you have a book, and things dont all line up.. Sometimes a little 'grease' slides everything along.. Probably best if thats handled by a trusted Thai rather than over the counter tho

Hi, on the basis that the numbers dont match and that the front end numbers are of a VFR400 instead of my CBR. and if i take it to the police i am worried they will just take it rather then give me a new plate, due to that its not in my name etc. I want to know if anyone knows a place to get the same replica lic. plate i had on but not through the DMV, like a "shop" or something. thanks.

[Richard-BKK]

What brand is the bike? With some brands (and/or models) the frame number and engine numbers are not the same. Also the V.I.N (Vehicle Identification Number) not has to be the frame number. All can be very complicated....

For replica plates, which are also illegal but always better then riding without it.... Where do you stay?

[xbusman]

Based on the scant info above, its a grey market import and the books is probably as crooked as a dogs hind leg. There could be any number of problems, including but not limited to:

The book being a crude forgery easily identified by the Transport people as being invalid.

Numbers on the frame being changed to hide the highly probable fact that the bike is stolen.

Modifying a book from another similar bike which makes for the mismatch in other details.

I would guess that the root problem is a dicey book for a dicey bike. Nothing that 20 or 30,000 baht cant fix.

[LivinLOS]

OK makes sense.. You have a CBR frame / bike on a VFR frame number / book.. Theres your missmatch.. Hope it was cheap..

Whats the bike listed as in the book a NC30 or an NC2x ?? Very easy to see that as the frame number of a CBR starts with the NC29 (if gull arm later model) and the engine is NC23 (?? not sure if always).. I cant remember if my book listed CBR at all..

I suspect a few 1000 baht handled by a guy with a contact would get it in your name.. Seen far worse than that slide.

[HDRIDER]

Hi

At least you know now, that you should ask before buying a bike..

[dotcom]

When you bought the motorcycle the seller was supposed to sign a form (all in Thai) He is agreeing that money changed hands & he sold the bike to you.

Then you need a letter from your embassy stating your official address. What kind of visa are you on?

As far as the VIN number (on the headstock) & the engine number - NC23xxx won't match. 2 different issues. You seem to have backtracked on whether or not the engine/chassis numbers match your green book.

Item 3 - I need a new plate. Very easy to do AFTER you get the green book in your name.

If you are worried about them confiscating your motorcycle don't ride it to DMV. At some point in time it will have to pass a visual inspection. So make sure the numbers match before you try that step.

What city do you live in?

As asked before where did you buy it?

I know people that can get this done for you when you get tired of banging your head against a brick wall. The homework you did was inadequate.

[200mphplus]

What brand is the bike? With some brands (and/or models) the frame number and engine numbers are not the same. Also the V.I.N (Vehicle Identification Number) not has to be the frame number. All can be very complicated....

For replica plates, which are also illegal but always better then riding without it.... Where do you stay?

Hey, thatnks, its all a big mess, but i know many people that ride these types of ilegal bikes, i dont really think ist a problem, its still in the last owners name, but insurance just expired so dont know what to do,plus i dont have a lic. plate, do you know whee i can get a new one? not dmv.......

[200mphplus]

OK makes sense.. You have a CBR frame / bike on a VFR frame number / book.. Theres your missmatch.. Hope it was cheap..

Whats the bike listed as in the book a NC30 or an NC2x ?? Very easy to see that as the frame number of a CBR starts with the NC29 (if gull arm later model) and the engine is NC23 (?? not sure if always).. I cant remember if my book listed CBR at all..

I suspect a few 1000 baht handled by a guy with a contact would get it in your name.. Seen far worse than that slide.

ok so the front bar numbers start with a NC24 and engine number NC13E, the people at red baron told me the engine number is the right one for that bike, but the other is for a vfr, and do yo kknow anyone i can pay a few 1000 baht?

[200mphplus]

When you bought the motorcycle the seller was supposed to sign a form (all in Thai) He is agreeing that money changed hands & he sold the bike to you.

Then you need a letter from your embassy stating your official address. What kind of visa are you on?

As far as the VIN number (on the headstock) & the engine number - NC23xxx won't match. 2 different issues. You seem to have backtracked on whether or not the engine/chassis numbers match your green book.

Item 3 - I need a new plate. Very easy to do AFTER you get the green book in your name.

If you are worried about them confiscating your motorcycle don't ride it to DMV. At some point in time it will have to pass a visual inspection. So make sure the numbers match before you try that step.

What city do you live in?

As asked before where did you buy it?

I know people that can get this done for you when you get tired of banging your head against a brick wall. The homework you did was inadequate.

Ok thanks, ok so I got the thai letter stating that the bike changed hands,at the time it was easier to just put it (the thai letter) in my thai friends name, then after i was just gonna tranfer it in my name,but i havent yet duo to i cant and he cant either. the dmv wont let us.

My work permit just finished so i am back on a non b until i get new work permit but i am thinking of getting a student visa for a year or two and for the 20,000 instead of leaving the country if i dont get work permit (shady agency i think)

So make the numbers match? so that means i have to 1.- sand the front numbers down? 2.-get new matching ones? and what about the green book that I have with the the different numbers? and how did this bike get tags and plates and insurance if it was already "ilegal"?

I live in bkk bought of a guy in bkk through bahtsold.com.....all this came to light when i wanted work done it and took it to red baron, thats who i got al my info from...so all i really need right now is insurance and a lic. plate, can you help me? how much for a lic. plate?

[LivinLOS]

As far as the VIN number (on the headstock) & the engine number - NC23xxx won't match. 2 different issues. You seem to have backtracked on whether or not the engine/chassis numbers match your green book.

I think what hes saying (and it is a bit confused) is his book matches the frame and engine numbers.. But that the numbers in both book and bike are not CBR numbers they are VFR numbers and an eagle eyed DMV clerk has spotted that..

[LivinLOS]

OK makes sense.. You have a CBR frame / bike on a VFR frame number / book.. Theres your missmatch.. Hope it was cheap..

Whats the bike listed as in the book a NC30 or an NC2x ?? Very easy to see that as the frame number of a CBR starts with the NC29 (if gull arm later model) and the engine is NC23 (?? not sure if always).. I cant remember if my book listed CBR at all..

I suspect a few 1000 baht handled by a guy with a contact would get it in your name.. Seen far worse than that slide.

ok so the front bar numbers start with a NC24 and engine number NC13E, the people at red baron told me the engine number is the right one for that bike, but the other is for a vfr, and do yo kknow anyone i can pay a few 1000 baht?

They are both VFR numbers NC13E is the VFR engine codes..

The NC24 designation was late 80s VFR, the early one..

[dotcom]

Thanks Livin LOS.

That issue is not important to DMV.

I saw some guy who registered a CB400 on a CBR150 book. Stoopid but it worked.

Quote: ok so the front bar numbers start with a NC24 and engine number NC13E, the people at red baron told me the engine number is the right one for that bike, but the other is for a vfr, and do yo kknow anyone i can pay a few 1000 baht?

YES

Why were you at Red Baron? They don't give a frick about you since you didn't buy a bike from them.

How do I know what? Because they don't sell bronco bikes like the one you got.

Student visa? Prolly not. I only know how to register my bikes legally - not yours.

For the last time. Where did you buy it?

[LivinLOS]

So make the numbers match? so that means i have to 1.- sand the front numbers down? 2.-get new matching ones? and what about the green book that I have with the the different numbers? and how did this bike get tags and plates and insurance if it was already "ilegal"?

Its all a bit hazy from what your saying.. But it sounds like you need to get a CBR book, then to have the numbers and the paint color (in book or on bike) modified to match the CBR book, then have the book in your name.. Of course this has to be handled with care because the DMV are not stupid and any bike that suddenly changes engine numbers and color fires off some wanring flags, often these guys are paid to look the other way.

Then you could try selling your VFR book but as a farang thats going to be hard to gain much value back.

Basically its a mess, you have a VFR plate and paperwork on a CBR bike bike of unknown origin.

I live in bkk bought of a guy in bkk through bahtsold.com.....all this came to light when i wanted work done it and took it to red baron, thats who i got al my info from...so all i really need right now is insurance and a lic. plate, can you help me? how much for a lic. plate?

Book and plate and full service will run you anything from 20k (cheap) to 30k (expensive) for back street chop shop.. I would guess that in BKK with a CBR which is a very common bike they may be able to sort this at the cheaper end.

If it wasnt for the insurance I would say just get the copy plate for a couple hundred and run it but a lack of insurance isnt a good thing. Down our way you can go to 3rd party inspection centers who just take a rubbing from the frame for the tax and insurance stickers and you dont need to go to the actaul DMV, this way you can leave it with the messed up book, copy plate, and still have stickers to pass police roadblocks and checks. Would hate to be in a road accident on a bike like that tho, could cost you big problems down the road. The problem is a CBR400 is not a high value bike and adding 25k for a new book to legalize it is a bit of a losing proposition unless you got it for a bookless price.

[LivinLOS]

Student visa? Prolly not. I only know how to register my bikes legally - not yours.

For the last time. Where did you buy it?

he said

I live in bkk bought of a guy in bkk through bahtsold.com.....all this came to light when i wanted work done it and took it to red baron, thats who i got al my info from...so all i really need right now is insurance and a lic. plate, can you help me? how much for a lic. plate?

so private sale..

Is a non imm ED visa no good for a bike reg ?? I would have assumed it was ??

Down on Phuket they have in the past registered all my cars and bikes on any visa, just as long as you get the residency paper from immigration.

[dotcom]

Livin LOS.

I sort of disagree with the above. No offense bro - just 20 someodd years of doing this here.

The green book he has is fine.

btw 200mphplus. You think lots of guys run pirate bikes like yours? Try spending a few days in jail - & when the traffic ploice impound your bike - you will never see it again.

The green book it came with can be made to work. I am 100% sure of that.

His problem is that he doesn't have the correct visa & DMV don't want to talk to him.

Plus the lash up with the bill of sale.

He will need to suck it up - do it right - or just sell the whole stinking mess which is my advice.

These Thais buy & sell green books everyday. Then this nitwit lost the number plate. He is digging himself deeper into a hole everyday.

[LivinLOS]

Thanks Livin LOS.

That issue is not important to DMV.

I saw some guy who registered a CB400 on a CBR150 book. Stoopid but it worked.

Down our way they are getting much tighter.. No longer will bikes slide past on one model that is obviously another, but in this case I too am very surprised a Honda NC29 (or NC23) was spotted as not being a Honda NC24 based on frame numbers alone !! Thats very eagle eyed for a Honda 4 cyl 400cc bike.. Minor discrepancy but most wouldnt know which is what.. Must have been very unlucky.

The second issue I see here tho is it sounds like he doesnt have the Thai sellers singed forms, the Thai sellers ID cards, or the farang sellers visa pages etc etc etc.. He may have been refused the transfer based on not having a nice clear 'full package' of everything stamped, copied 3 times, and signed on each page.. You know how they like to have everything presented.

Quote: ok so the front bar numbers start with a NC24 and engine number NC13E, the people at red baron told me the engine number is the right one for that bike, but the other is for a vfr, and do yo kknow anyone i can pay a few 1000 baht?

YES

Theres your answer then.. One of the bronco shops (as he puts it) can probably solve this.. But you will forever have unmatched numbers and also a problem at sale time.

[LivinLOS]

Livin LOS.

I sort of disagree with the above. No offense bro - just 20 someodd years of doing this here.

No offense at all.. Just on slightly different edges of the shades of grey scales !!

The green book he has is fine.

The green book it came with can be made to work. I am 100% sure of that.

Theres the two sides !! Fine on one side, made to work on another..

Using the wrong book on the bike will forever be a possible problem.. But its also a problem that you might get through..

btw 200mphplus. You think lots of guys run pirate bikes like yours? Try spending a few days in jail - & when the traffic ploice impound your bike - you will never see it again.

Lots of Thais do.. But they break the law and can pay the price ?? Can 220mphs+ ??

Can he negotiate his way out of a police problem ??

His problem is that he doesn't have the correct visa & DMV don't want to talk to him.

Plus the lash up with the bill of sale.

He will need to suck it up - do it right - or just sell the whole stinking mess which is my advice.

These Thais buy & sell green books everyday. Then this nitwit lost the number plate. He is digging himself deeper into a hole everyday.

Agreed.

Theres many ways to skin this cat.. But if your this far in the hole just buying one.. Maybe you should buy a straight one, or at least one where the books match from the get go and has a history.. And chalk this up to experience.

[dotcom]

Actually not.

By the time DMV issue a new number plate (to replace the lost one) (& which OP says he doesn't want) ( I guess he wants one made of cardboard) you can believe the green book will be "straight".

How do I know this? Because every year I go to Soi 62 to renew my plates they just take my money, smile & process my green book. I was sweating it the first time. But my bike had beed through Mor Chit before I got it because my Bronco green book came from some Chaingwat upcountry.

They grinded & restamped my motor & chassis so slick you can't even tell.

Khun Wit told me my chassis number is VFR400 (NC24) That's the number on the recycled book the agent (some guy Porn uses) came up with.

I'm on my third engine in my car. The mechanice gives me all the paper work - then there is a special page in the green book for engine swaps. Soi 62 as always.

[LivinLOS]

Actually not.

By the time DMV issue a new number plate (to replace the lost one) (& which OP says he doesn't want) ( I guess he wants one made of cardboard) you can believe the green book will be "straight".

I am not disagreeing.. It will be straight enough to get all its papers.. Straight enough to renew tax.. Maybe even straight enough to sell and transfer ownership..

But owning a bike that has numbers for a different model is always a 'possible' future headache.. Its always a worry about what happens if theres a big time crash.. Always a future concern that the DMV is going to be harder on checking sales or annual roadtax. Would it give insurance a reason not to pay is something that would be my fear. Really once you play in the grey area theres always issues like this.

On a big bike I would say get the paperwork straight and matching.. But the costs on a old CBR400.. Often just doesnt make economic sense.

[dotcom]

O absolutely you are 100% right.

Especially in light of the fact that you say in Phuket they know what kind of bike they are looking at.

I can only speak from my experience. My cycle - despite being a 1994 model - had jst been imported into Thailand (wooden boxes). Porn wanted 65,000 for it.

Then it was up to me - NEW green book 40,000 Recycled green book 25,000. In view of the price I paid - I chose option2.

Took a long long time to get it done (3 months) because the recycled green book was from another city.

My bike actually had to go to Mor Chit twice. The agent took care of that - was included in the price of registering my cycle.

If I were buying a more expensive bike I would go new book.

But 40,000 is a deal breaker to the back packer types.

[200mphplus]

Actually not.

By the time DMV issue a new number plate (to replace the lost one) (& which OP says he doesn't want) ( I guess he wants one made of cardboard) you can believe the green book will be "straight".

How do I know this? Because every year I go to Soi 62 to renew my plates they just take my money, smile & process my green book. I was sweating it the first time. But my bike had beed through Mor Chit before I got it because my Bronco green book came from some Chaingwat upcountry.

They grinded & restamped my motor & chassis so slick you can't even tell.

Khun Wit told me my chassis number is VFR400 (NC24) That's the number on the recycled book the agent (some guy Porn uses) came up with.

I'm on my third engine in my car. The mechanice gives me all the paper work - then there is a special page in the green book for engine swaps. Soi 62 as always.

Not true man, I have bought 1 bike from Reb Baron long ago andnow that I am back i didnt want to spend that much for the short time i was going to be here hence buying a 400cc bike, so red baron and i go back a long way, second i didnt lose the plates, they flew off while driving, so i hed enough of yor insults, so i guess you have had a "20" years of experience of not having a sense of how to talk to people, good luck you idiot.

I really dont need your help if thats the way you are gonna put it, i guess it wrong to help here when you have people like dotcom answering you. anyways, i will figure t ot someother way with out you.thanks but no thanks dotcom

[LivinLOS]

And the legal way to register a CBR with a VFR's book was ???

Really, I know you may have had a problem with Dotcoms tone.. But what he was telling you in the case of different options to solve the problem was pretty much correct. Theres a few ways to skin this particular cat, all with plusses and minuses and different costs.

Glad it worked out for you.. Happy riding..

[Richard-BKK]

Big cops and legal Green Books, that sounds pretty scary.... I have to tell that in the early days of my stay in Thailand, I also had the idea that big or bigger police can fix anything, but then long you stay in Thailand... You find that it just costed you more or you forever in the teabag of this police guy (with tea money)....

On the other hand it is sometimes helpful to know some police persons in the higher ranks, it is not uncommon that I ride unregistered vehicles on the public road. (mainly because short of transport pickups) Pulling out a name card of a high ranking police officer can help, but then again only if you speak Thai and know how to bring it...