need to reproduce front VIN tag

j1mmy

Member
I need to reproduce the VIN tag on my 69 K0 - the one that has the serial number in it and that it was mfg'd to USA specs by the steering column.

Has anyone had to get a new on made out of vinyl or alum plate?
Where to go and hw much?

Thanks!
 

j1mmy

Member
The DMV inspecter was very interested in this tag and was looking all over the bike for it. Then I handed it to her. She asked me to prove it came from the bike she was inspecting - and it did because the numbers on the little tag matched the numbers on the frame. She also said I should have never taken it off the bike - I explained I had to to restore it.

Anyway - she went on to say some of these trail 70's were built/ sold to the forestry dept and were not meant for the street. :cool:

So when I get the 69 inspected and she comes back - I need to show the VIN tag. I don't know where the original tag went.

I would like an alum plate but will settle for vinyl that shows a mfg date of 5-69 and the matching serial number.
 

MSZ

Moderator
WOW! Exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks Morph!!

I'd personally go to another DMV unless that's the only one in your county. The DMV should only need the VIN and not the ID tag on the steerer tube. Can't you affix the one you have back on the bike or is it incomplete or missing?

One would think if that DMV is such a stickler, then having a fraudulent ID tag would get you in more hot water. And I doubt the VIN is embossed, but rather printed on that decal which will be a dead giveaway that it's not genuine.
 

j1mmy

Member
The original one is missing and the DMV inspector is the only one in my county that I know of.

If you really think about it, the whole thing is just a blurry line between rules and bureaucracy. A tag is a tag - old or new - right? It only provides another way to display the number on the frame.
 

69ST

Well-Known Member
There never seems to be a shortage of would-be "Barney Fifes" and they all seem to work in post offices, town halls, courthouses and, as you've experienced, DMV offices. I agree that you're being handed a crock. Unfortunately, being right makes no difference when dealing with officious individuals who know that they can leave you twisting in the breeze with nothing to fear. That's why I use ITS, $75 buys peace of mind. That said, you're either going to have to find another "inspector", if that's a possibility in your locale or replace the VIN tag. Toughest part of repopping a VIN tag is finding a stamping die set of the correct size. The hardware store variety are too large.
 

69ST

Well-Known Member
Hey John,

Those tiny rivets are impossible to find anymore. I did have a source for them, years ago.

I use brass brads on CT70s, brass screws on ST70/Dax models that have the VIN tag located ahead of the rear brake light switch. You won't find any brads with the correct shank diameter and correct length. Finding the correct head & shank diameter is easy but the overall length will be about 3-4x what you need. Happily, brass is a fairly soft metal and easily worked. A few taps with a small hammer or clamping the head end with vise grips is all that's needed to roughen-up the shank enough to fit the old rivet holes, then simply clip the brads to length. If you want to be doubly sure they'll remain in place, a drop of super glue or 3M trim adhesive will do the trick.
 

mrichard

Member
Here in Ca. we call them drive screws and they are fairly easy to find. They were very popular in the marine hardware industry. Most are about 5/8 long with a oval head. If your close to an ocean try marine hardware.

Mike
 

j1mmy

Member
In reply to racerx - I did go through ITS and had the title from another state in hand, almost got the plates, and then the person said - oh - you have to get it inspected. Here is who you call which is the same person's name I've gotten at evry turn. once inspected, I take the approved form into the treasurers office and get the plates.
 

j1mmy

Member
I called North East Vintage Cycle and bought two for 10.00 each. Then I took the tags to a locksmith and they embossed the build date and VIN on each one. looks authentic.
 

j1mmy

Member
This is the old tag next to the new tag. These ae not perfect and a few of you will be able to spot the difference (s) but it is the closest I was able to get. 10.00 each for the tags and 1.00 each for the emboss.
 

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