CA Registration Quagmire

[Mike V]

Another failed day at the DMV yesterday guys. I'm still steaming from the beaurocratic quagmire this state drags us through.  I reported earlier about the abscence of the Fed EPA sticker on my bike that is supposed to reside on the lower right frame rail. It was originally thought I could order one from BMW NA.  They have since notified us that it can't be done since the bike has been out of the system for so long. My VIN verification went effortlessly yesterday and all was well until I entered the doors of the DMV only to have the delightful, loving, bubbly, vivacious, and happy woman behind the counter tell me without the sticker the bike cannot be registered. Maybe they will accept a PhotoShop rendition of another sticker?! It would be nice to reason this whole ridiculous thing to help me understand the state's guidelines and concerns.  My next project is to take the bike to the CHP for number plate verification.  You guys doing restorations...always fill out a non-op and by all means try to never destroy the EPA sticker on the frame.  This all makes absolutely no sense to me.  

[Bob_Roller]

I put the blame squarely on BMW for this, as with most of the bikes of this era, the frame sticker is the only place where the entire 17 character VIN is placed .

[nhmaf]

And the sticker is made of very fragile stuff, and located in an area where it is prone to getting damaged.  Fortunately, not all states are as messed up as Kalifornia - I would never willingly move/live there.

[Mike V]

frame sticker is the only place where the entire 17 character VIN is placed .  

This seems to be another problem with the CA DMV, apparently there was a transition from 7 to 17 digit VIN's in this era (79-80) and DMV seems to have problems recognizing the 7 digit VIN only because they can't find it in their system ... regardless of the original matching stampings in the frame gusset and engine case. And this sticker is supposed to state that the bike is safe to operate and meets emission and safety standards, as the existing fender sticker states. You guys have no idea what i've gone through with these people and the obsurdity of failed attempts.

It's not like the bike is stolen, modified or tampered with or without title, and the 7 digit VIN matches on the title - pink.  I'm just trying to get the bike legally registered. No good deed goes unpunished in CA. I hate this state for many reasons. What's the cost of palm trees, infiltration of illegals and nice weather?

[Bengt_Phorqs]

I would never knowingly or willingly suggest doing anything that would be illegal, but allow me a stream of consciousness moment.  Seems like it's just really easy for illegals in this country to get documents like SSAN cards, passports, insurance cards, and drivers license.  Wonder where these folks get the documents?  Hmmm, you're not too far away from San Diego are you?  If memory serves Tijuana is right across the border.

Again, I'm just musing here.....

[nhmaf]

Unfortunately this VIN situation is common in many states, particularly with cases in which the motorcycle is the right age (1980 model year or later) to have the 17-digit VIN instead of the 7-digit serial number on the title/registration, but some doofus put the 7 digit number into the system instead of the 17 digit one.   I've had to deal with that problem both in MA and in VT.   I would hold the MA DMV right up there with the CA DMV when it comes to "sources of extreme aggravation" any day.


I recall when I moved to MA, I had to take the written exams for both auto and motorcycle licensing, but didn't have to take the driving tests as I'd already been licensed to operate all these things in another state.   I took both tests and got a perfect score, and waited in line for 45 minutes to get my shiny new license with motorcycle endorsement.  I got to the front of the line, and they wouldn't let me get my license until after the full time limit (which was apparently 2 hours) had expired for taking the written tests... apparently if you know the answers and finish early you still had to wait until the maximum test time set in the system elapsed before they'd accept and issue new licenses.    This was just one of the many, many silly things in the Massachusetts DMV back in the 90s..

[Justin B.]

I have an '81 R100, BMW really "screwed the pooch" with these foil stickers on the frame in 1981 and numerous forums have griped about it.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Someone needs to go into the business of reproducing these - not unlike your Photoshop idea, Mike.

[Mike V]

if I would have known at the beginning of this process what I know now Rob...it would have been well worth the cost of the PhotoShop software.  Furthermore; I would have slept quite well at night. And had a legal, safe, and environmental efficient bike that meets all the required Federal and State standards. Warranted, supported and indemnified by a simple sticker that is no longer available by the factory.

[Bob_Roller]

Mike, just a thought, I wonder if a local decal shop could reproduce a sticker that the MVD would not know the difference from an OEM sticker .

If someone can provide a good photo of the their sticker, then make it up with your VIN .

Just a wild idea !!!!

[Mike V]

Bob,
That's an idea I've thought of already - was thinking about sending out an SOS to all the 81 r65 owners asking for a clear photo with equal aspect ratio.  The local dealer is going to have BMW send a later model 650 EPA sticker that has the same statement and include a letter for me to take to the CHP.  Since the paperwork is already procured with the missing sticker information, I'll hand carry the sticker, dealer VIN purchase record and letter to the DMV.  I like the idea of making these photo stickers up and printing them out on ahesive mylar or high quality media.  

[Crossrodes]

Whoops....I just checked my '79 frame.  Before I had it powder-coated there was a sticker on it and a plate riveted to it.  The plate is still there and the sticker is gone.  The plate has the frame number on it.

Would this sticker have been the VIN sticker?

[Darwin_R65]

Can you talk to a motorcycle wreckers? or contact a wreckers in a country without the same laws?

[Crossrodes]

Mike, if you find a way to resolve this let me know.  I'm assuming that it was the VIN sticker that went bye bye on my bike when the frame was powder coated.  

[k_enn]

This may be a stupid question, but was the bike previously registered in California?  If so, the fact that it was so registered should establish that one time it had the necessary sticker.  If California DMV has a record of a prior registration of the bike, they are just being arbitrary and unreasonable in denying registration now, especially if they do not have any regulatory process for the registration of vehicles with lost/destroyed stickers.  I don't think a court, even a California court, would look too kindly on their refusal under those circumstances.

k_enn