short VIN number change

so, my title has the short VIN number. I wonder if it's possible to change it for the long one

 

Why? I think it is probably best to keep the paperwork consistent. In fact, if it IS and 81, I don't think that there is any indication of the 17 digit VIN...is there?

My story is that I bought a 1982 750 Seca in MA. The title had only 10 digits, but '82 was the year that the VINs HAD to be standardized - '81 was the target year, but companies were given a little extra time to comply. Because of this, there is a 10 digit VIN stamped onto the right side of the steering neck, and a sticker with the 17 digit VIN on the left. I didn't know about the sticker when I titled it, but the RMV had a bit of a fit and I had to have a police officer verify that it was indeed only 10 digits and matched the title. He didn't know about the sticker either.

Then the guy at the RMV had to trick the computer system - which only recognized 17 digit VINs for '82 and newer vehicles - lying to it that my bike was an '81 then manually having the year changed to '82 through some override process. Who knows what the NO will have to go through if I ever sell it. A couple of weeks later I found the sticker...but it was missing some digits. Although I could figure them out...why bother? The cables wore away part of the sticker, but the neck stamp is clear as day and will be no matter how much I drive it.

If your bike doesn't have any indication of the 17 digit VIN, do you want to sit there and explain at your local DMV-like office how you can convert a 10 digit VIN into a 17 digit VIN, what model year it is, and style/type/which one it was off the assembly line? That all makes for great conversation on this site, but I doubt THEY will care much. I'd say just do what worked before and if they question it...then it was their fault. You know the real story...but don't share it until they ask. You'll just confuse them.

 

Ask and you shall be confused!

I also wrote a little web app to convert the short format to long, but I've not entered all the known XJ models into the database yet

 

here is the thing: on the right side of the frame I have the short number, on the left long one (white sticker). the title has the short one typed, insurance card the long one. do you think I can leave it the way it is? or try to do something about it?

 

I'd try to get your insurance to match the title. The title is the REAL document that proves you own it. You could always ask your DMV anonymously about it - and your insurance company.

 

+1.

I'd think that your insurance has to match whatever is on your bike... The 10th circle of Hell is having to explain to a corn-fed state cop, who possesses the reasoning skills of a goldfish, how to convert Yamaha short form VIN to 17 digits in 100+ degree summer heat

 

thanks for the quick respond, I'll call the insurance company tomorrow, but in case something happens, do you think i'm still covered by the insurance? It's progressive.

 

All things considered...probably. I mean - if you are still alive (i.e. you get in an accident) - a court of law is the PERFECT place to explain the intricacies of the '81-'82 VIN number switch. As long as your intent isn't to FOOL the law for any reason - a simple paperwork error can be figured out and fixed. But like stereomind said...there are people who won't want to figure it out, and wouldn't give you the benefit of the doubt, so call and ask and get all the numbers on your papers to match. But the information on your insurance policy covers the year/model/displacement of the bike as well as the Vehicle Identification Number that is unique to your motorcycle (and is accurately represented in both forms on that bike), so there's really no reason that you aren't covered.

 

thanks, that cheered me up. I'll get back to you guys after i speak to the insurance company.

btw I've read older posts concerning titles, and I'm aware of the confusion (more or less) but the question is if the dmv and progressive are