RZ/RD 350 & Misc. 2-Stroke Tech BBS

I imported my 1988 from a guy in Edmonton about 5 years ago. I took his Edmonton registration papers to US Customs, got an inspection form from them verifying a 17 digit VIN, then titled and registered the bike in my State. It was pretty easy.

Got it.

Like many others, I was able to purchase an RZ500 direct from Canada and register it at the DMV with whatever paperwork I had. I did get a letter from Yamaha USA in Cypress, Cali. Letter says bike is a Canadian model and meets all US DOT regulations, except minor labeling requirements. I needed that because the bike wasn't old enough. Don't think that's necessary, now. When I registered the bike at the DMV, they gave me a California Title (pink slip).

I don't think you'll have to drop the price, at all. If someone in the US is buying from Canada, it's usually because they can't find the bike in the US.

Sorry, if I didn't answer your original question. Just trying to help out where I can.

Got it. I suppose this may have all come about from a lack of knowledge of the interchangeability of registration for title documents. Think that is sufficient to answer my questions.

Is the 17 digit vin a mandatory item everywhere even for older motorcycles?

17 Digit is not Mandatory, I regged my RZV500 and RG500 and no probs, Both have 9 digit vins I think

Not having a title is an issue in Hawaii. Generally, no title means it won't ever have a title again (in Hawaii, at least). So it's a parts bike.

How it happens - someone sells a bike with a title, the buyer doesn't bother going to the DMV to transfer it and then he loses the title. He might try and find the original owner. If the seller has moved and can't be found, the new owner is out of luck.

I think the 17 digit vins started in 1983 in Canada. The LCs have less. (9). Old TZ Racer and I were talking about this the other night in his garage.

At least in Quebec if you don't have a '' pink slip '' in your name you can't register a vehicle , even if you have the pink slip from the last owner the DMV won't help you in registering it at your name , you have to find this person by yourself and ask to fill the papers for the sale and the DMV won't give you his address or phone , it's personal info that they can't share by the law . So a frame without title here is useless .

In Alberta, you just need he bill of sale.

My Bike had not been ridden for a years, and since the last time it was ridden I had moved. Somehow after moving I could not find the title. I found imsurance papers and everything except the title. The DMV said after certain year they went from microfiche to computer and everything before that is no longer on record. I had to have the police inspect the bike and run the numbers. They then gave me temp documentation to be able to re plate it again. Then after a certain number of years if no one proves it is theirs then I can get a real title. A real PITA