Anyone owned a RVF400 in North Carolina, past or present?

[Christnic]

Hi Guys,

I'm currently going through the process of getting an NC35 on the road in N.C. in the US. It would help me immensely if anyone knows of a RVF400 that has been titled here, as it would help me through the process a little if I had that VIN to hand to show them. My bike is a super gem, but just looking at it in the garage is such a shame. I did spot an old advert on Raresportbikesforsale showing an ebay link for one that sold here in 2010, but the link is now dead so no way to get in touch. Here it is. Any help would be appreciated.
Cheers. C.
http://raresportbikesforsale.com/1998-h ... 5-on-ebay/

[vfrman]

What kind of crap is the DMV giving you? I've registered my NC30 in Utah and Michigan...

[Cru Jones]

The RVF400 is on the list of bikes that is importable into the USA, so it is a legal bike to ride on the streets. You will likely have issues due to the small VIN and different states handle that differently. Mine is registered in CA and I had a little issue getting it titled, but nothing too hard. What sort of issues are they giving you? There are always creative ways to title these bikes, but don't really want to get into that here...

[JC120]

According to the previous owner of my nc35, it took 4 trips to the CADMV and 3 trips to CHP before he was to plate it here in CA. Funny your having issues titling yours in NC because my insurance company thinks that my 400s were titled in NC because all the vin #s start with NC.

[Christnic]

I took it in to apply for a title using the bonded process. This bike came out of a museum so didn't have a title. They wanted an inspection from the license and theft bureau. The lady there said that her system didn't recognize the VIN numbers, so she deemed it an off-road vehicle, which is obviously incorrect. My bike does actually have a full 17 digit VIN not the 11 digit which some off road vehicles have. A friend of mine was trying to title a RS250 and he took a VIN from another RS that was registered in the state with him to show them. This really helped clear the way for him. I'm trying to do the same so was hoping someone knew of that RVF that was titled here in North Carolina a few years back. (The one in the link above, or any others).
I've owned mine for a year or two now and have been slowly cleaning it up and working through all the servicing points. It's a lovely machine. I really want to enjoy it now.
Cheers C.

[canada.NC30.rider]

Did you explain to them it is a grey market bike and does not need a 17 digit VIN? If yours does have a 17 digit one it is defintely partially made up. If it doesn't have a title follow their instructions to get the title/ownership. Then they need to be able to read the rules on import bikes over 15 years old before they try to treat your bike like a US model. I was lucky getting both of mine road ready in Canada. They didn't seem to have any issues after I explained it was imported under grey markets rules.

[Christnic]

Some more investigation has turned up some interesting stuff. Looking around I soon came to realise that all of these bikes should have a 11 digit as you were alluding to CanadaNC30rider. Mine has a 17 digit which got me thinking. On close inspection, the first 6 digits have been added after the fact. I.e. it doesn't actually start with NC35 as I now know they should.
Armed with this info I took just my VIN (11 digit) into the DMW license and theft bureau and asked them to check the number out as if I was going to apply for a title. The inspector came back and said it's good for North Carolina and the other 50 states. Good Result! I can only imagine that these numbers were added to aid the import in some way. Anyway I am going to correct the frame to read the proper 11 digit number and then go through the title application process with everything as it should be.
Thanks for your help. I'll report back with either good or bad news.
Cheers
C