Hi all,

I've been a member for a while, but not posted for a long time, I really could do with some help/advice if someone has the time/knowledge.

I've not been able to ride my 'M' plate NC30 for the past year due to health issues so I decided to sell it. Put it on eBay and accepted an offer quickly from a chap who turned out to be a dealer. When checking the bike over he discovered two issues, and I need advice on what to do:

Issue one:
He said the log book (V5C) had the incorrect amount of numbers, and when I checked it carefully I noticed it had a repeated '6' (i.e. 10677 becomes 106677). Checking against the Haynes manual my bike has the correct number of digits and the log book one digit too many. He stated this was no big problem and quite common for DVLA to make mistakes especially with Grey Imports.

Issue two:
When checking the VIN number on the bike he became concerned that the frame had been replaced. He stated that all Honda motorcycles should have a 'star' stamped at the start and end of the VIN number (mine doesn't) and the background should be 'rough cast' finished where mine is smooth. The frame has been polished on the lower beams with the rest of the head stock 'rough cast'. It shows no damage & rides straight. He stated that its probably had the frame replaced and some time, guessing from the lower spars being polished sometime in the 1990's?

To my eternal shame I spotted neither of these issues when I purchased the bike in 2012.

The dealer had HPI checked the bike prior to coming to view and its clear on everything.

He said the first issue is nothing to worry about and needs amending at DVLA, but the VIN stamping meant he didn't want to purchase the bike. He also stated the engine sounds good, general condition is worth the money but he can't purchase it as wouldn't want to sell it as a trader.

The only other issue he found was the carbs probably need cleaning/balancing which isn't surprising as its not done many miles recently. Its got 11 months MOT and done approx. 25,000 miles (41,000 km).

My questions are:
Do these explanations sound reasonable?
What can/should I do now?

Any help/advice would be appreciated, I'm in shock and don't know what to do.

I will have a look on my frame and let you know if it has stars and if it is rough cast or smooth. Only problem is I can't get in the garage till tomorrow evening.
If no one else comes up with the answer first I'll let you know.

never seen stars on the headstock frame number before...

the headstock is rough cast but the rectangular area that the frame number is stamped into is smooth on all the ones ive ever worked on.

sounds like dealer is either confusing them with another bike or talking out his arse

Hi guys, first of all thanks for the prompt responses. My headstock area looks identical to the one in the photos, so hopefully it's OK. I did wonder if it was rough cast how you would read the number but he seemed to know what he was talking about.
What about the 'extra' number on the logbook?
Thanks again guys!

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Fill in the V5C using the correct number taken from wherever.
Enclose a note covering explanation of why no. is being changed.
Keep a Photostat copy of the old details before returning the ammended V5C.
It is far from rare occurance for DVLA to send out incorrect V5C's.



Or just leave it for the next owner to sort out.
Anyone who has bought a vehicle previous will not be put off by DVLA discrepancies.

Same here, no stars and just numbers /letters on headstock, nc30 etc etc, he must be confused or he didn't want it and made an excuse, good luck with the sale

Hi, when the place that mot'd mine and entered the frame number wrong, the dvla sent me a letter asking for me to ring them, which I did and only took a few mins to sort out, give the a call wont cost much and hopefully they'll be able to sort easily.

Barry1234 wrote:Same here, no stars and just numbers /letters on headstock, nc30 etc etc, he must be confused or he didn't want it and made an excuse, good luck with the sale

...or was trying to get the price down!

Maybe he was thinking of this:

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/mg_manual ... cation.pdf

A 'motorcycle identification' guide from 1986....showing for example the VF500 with a star in the VIN getting his bikes mixed up if so

Thanks again to everyone, you've really calmed me down and reassured me. What with the health problems I could have screamed on Monday night! I just really want to get it sold this 'season' I guess not many bikes are not sold in November. I'll leave the log book for the next owner to sort if it sells, if it puts them off or doesn't sell I'll do it myself and wait 'till next year.
Thanks again!

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Hi guys,
Sorry to be a nuisance but I'm having trouble still. The guy said he couldn't cancel the order/offer so I've done it now. I told him the info I got off you guys, just as background info for him but he's still convinced its wrong.

So I'm going to try and load up a photo of my frame number, its not a great photo as its difficult to get camera in right spot to view it all, and I'm using my mobile phone right now.

Please let me know what you think I really need some reassurance everything is ok.

Thanks for all your time and help.