Odometer / title mystery

[champ65]

Hi everyone.  new here!

A very good friend of mine gave me the r65LS that had been sitting in his garage for years. Sitting in the garage the odometer read 250 miles!  I couldn't believe it – the bike had seemingly never been used. Unfortunately the previous owner is in the middle/late stages of Alzheimer's so he remembers very little about the bike or riding it (his wife never took interest so she remembers nothing), but he did say that once he bought the r65, he immediately upgraded to an r100 because it wasn't enough bike for him. So at the time the 250 mile reading did make some sense.

But now that I have the title in hand, I'm very confused. The title states that the bike has actually had 3 owners, and that when sold in 1987, the odometer read 2726 mi, was then subsequently sold in '93 with a reading of 9,536 mi. Additionally, the second to last number on the VIN was manually scratched out and changed from a 9 to a 7.

So here's what I can't figure out:

• How is possible that the odometer reads 250mi now?  Is it possible that someone drove it for 99,999 and then it reset to zero?? Given the story from the current owner, that seems highly unlikely, but possible.

• Why would some change the VIN number on the title?  Is it possible this title belonged to another bike and was used as a replacement for a lost title??  

I should add that while all this does seem highly suspicious, the previous owner is a stand up guy and would never lie to me, especially since he's giving the bike away for free! I mentioned all this to him and his wife and the genuine response was that simply don't remember.

[Bob_Roller]

First off, I don't know where you reside, but a title with an alteration won't be accepted by whom ever you take it to for a title transfer to your name .

I would get that taken care of right now .

What is the VIN on the bike ?

Does the speedometer look like it has been opened ?

The crimped metal ring that holds the instrument glass on will be 'chewed up' to get the glass removed .

Not uncommon for one of these bikes to turn over 100,00 miles, but in your case, now you have no idea the actual mileage .

If the bike doesn't have to be inspected before the title transfer, I would tell whom ever does the paperwork for the title transfer, that the bike has 15,000 miles on it .

Just tell them it was a 'barn find' and didn't get ridden much .

[Luca]

I should add that while all this does seem highly suspicious, the previous owner is a stand up guy and would never lie to me, especially since he's giving the bike away for free! I mentioned all this to him and his wife and the genuine response was that simply don't remember.  

perhaps he was lied to.  Could be that somebody scratched the new VIN in and registered that in place of a totalled parts bike or some such.  Although suspicious, on a bike that old that's been sitting a long time I wouldn't get too worried.

Have you ridden it?  The odometers on these bikes aren't the best design.  Could be that it has given up the ghost and the numbers are doing whatever they want.  They can be fixed.  Could have rolled over too...

For low mileage indicators:  Does it have factory tires made in W. Germany?  Is there any wear on the pad (where you press with your foot) of the rear brake lever?  Those knurled bits will smooth out with use!  Wear on grips?  Wear on the rubber cover for the shift lever?  How much grunge has built up under the rear fender?  Is there any grooving or warping in the brake rotors?  You can try to check valve lash too.  BMW specified greater valve lash on an engine that wasn't broken in yet...

Nice score and welcome to the forum!  By the away, aside from many other bits o work you will need to do,  look in the bottom of the airbox near the back.  There is a small rubber reed valve that dries up and cracks.  That will let un-filtered air into the engine.  I removed mine and plugged the hole.  Now my crank breather runs out of it.

[champ65]

The VIN on the bike matches the newly modified number on the title.

I live in NYC, and my understanding is all I need is the original title and a bill of sale to have it registered in my name. The original title is from Rhode Island and has already been transferred once. Perhaps I will need to have a new title issued?  I'm not sure...

Speedometer doesn't look opened.  It's clean.  And the odometer is indeed rising. I've put about 3 test miles on it since I acquired the bike.

I take a look at wear and tear signs when i get back to the bike.  It's definitely not clean and was clearly kept outdoors at somepoint without covering (faded black plastic), but that may all be cosmetic.

thanks for the tips!

[Luca]

Hah!  I bet it was sold at Razee Motorcycle Center.  Only BMW dealer in the state.  That's where I get my BMW parts (unless I use the internet).

Definitely try to register the bike before you put money into it.  Those VIN's are hand punched, so although I doubt it, it could have been a mistake from the factory.  I wonder if Razee would have a record of their sales from way back when?

Also, I thought I had seen a registry of BMW motorcycles before.  You could try running the VIN through that.

:edit:  if the title was modified, not the bike, it could be a clerical error... wouldn't be the first time the RIDMV has screwed that up.

[Bob_Roller]

I'd call the State of New York motor vehicle department and ask what they would recommend you do with this .

All of the titles I've had, clearly state on the title, that any alterations or erasures render the title void .

[k_enn]

odometer - the speedometer could have been replaced shortly before the last owner put it up for storage.  The odometer reading would not be too much of a concern as long as the bike does not show a lot or wear.

Now - the title alteration could be a big probem.  Does the prior owner still have a registration document (not plate/tag).  Even if expired it might help establish the acceptability of the title.  Here in NJ, if you have a current registration, the DMV will issue a new certificate of title to replace a "lost" one based on the registration alone.

[montmil]

"... the previous owner is in the middle/late stages of Alzheimer's so he remembers very little about the bike..."

"...the previous owner is a stand up guy and would never lie to me..."

That should be a red flag on everything you've been told by your gentleman friend. No doubt the fellow is telling you exactly what he believes to be the truth but his current condition is the key.

Regarding the scratched out and changed VIN -is this 1) on the paper tile or 2) the actual VIN stamped on the engine... or 3) the chassis VIN... or 4) the sticker that some bikes have on a lower frame member?

If you have a signed and witnessed bill of sale from your friend stating that the motorcycle is a gift to you, might you request a new title as the original is "lost" due to the owner's current mental and physical state?

I'm always hesitant to ask title and licensing questions that I don't already know the answer to. It's been my experience that posing questions to employees of government entities always creates more problems rather than fewer.

[Dave 2]

In the State of Maine, because of the age of my 1983 LS. Nobody really cared as long as the VIN number on the bike had enough figures in it. I misread mine and was short one number. Once the insurance co. had all the spaces filled I was off and running. The handwritten bill of sale was all I needed when I registered it. I agree with Monte the fewer questions the better.  [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif] D2

[tvrla]

Mileage? We don't need no stinkin mileage!!!

Ha!

Being new to these bikes, you probably aren't aware of these goofy odometers and how untrustworthy they are. It's my belief that the odometer screw ups are the most common airhead failure of the whole line from 1970 to 95.

In the beginning stages they sometimes need to warm up before going crazy - like maybe after 50 miles or on a really warm day.


As already mentioned, the original speedo could've gone tits up and this is a replacement. Highly likely!

In Oregon, to license an out of state vehicle, they inspect the numbers first to ensure they match the title.