VIN number getting checked at boarder crossing

[rtw1day]

I’m building a bike currently, I’ve installed a bracket that is required for the build, the mounting bolts block a few of the digits on the VIN, it is able to remove the bracket but would take a massive amount of work at a boarder

How often do the numbers get checked properly?

[mark manley]

I would assume regularly and that this will be a problem, if you plan to go far on this bike it will need to be sorted.

[rtw1day]

Originally Posted by mark manley

I would assume regularly and that this will be a problem, if you plan to go far on this bike it will need to be sorted.

I was thinking that, as soon as I put this bracket on I thought, oh this is going to be an issue

[*Touring Ted*]

It's not only a problem for borders.

If you bike is post 1999 (I think), then you will need the VIN to be clearly displayed for an MOT too.

You can have your vin in multiple places. Nothing stopping you punching the vin elsewhere on the frame. Or made a Vin plate and tack-weld or rivet it elsewhere.

[Snakeboy]

Yes WIN was checked on most bordercrossings on my RTW trip

[Surfy]

Originally Posted by rtw1day

I’m building a bike currently, I’ve installed a bracket that is required for the build, the mounting bolts block a few of the digits on the VIN, it is able to remove the bracket but would take a massive amount of work at a boarder

How often do the numbers get checked properly?

In Africa often, in South america rarely..

How europe is - as a foreigner i cant tell you. Us locals they dont check..

Surfy

[Grant Johnson]

VIN MUST be easily readable - because it's YOU that will be doing all the work to access it in the hot sun - or worse, rain - whenever they decide they want to see it. And of course you REALLY don't want THEM doing it!
Egypt from Libya was a classic - early in the process they took a rubbing of the VIN, engine and frame, and then 4 hours later in the process they did it AGAIN - and compared the two rubbings against my documents.

I don't think you want to go through that...

[PanEuropean]

Originally Posted by rtw1day

How often do the [VIN] numbers get checked...

It depends on where you go.

I've never had any border official check my VIN on the frame of the bike when entering any European country (Western, Central, or Eastern) or any North African country. Ironically, the only time I have had a border official check the VIN was when the bike arrived back in Canada (where it is registered) via air freight.

A possible work-around for you might be to purchase a small extendable inspection mirror - basically a larger version of the little mirrors that dentists use when you go for a checkup - and determine if the last few numbers of the VIN are visible when you hold the inspection mirror nearby and shine a flashlight in on the VIN plate. If this makes the numbers visible, then I think you are probably good to go.

Michael

[rtw1day]

I mite have to redesign a new bracket to avoid issues, as you can see in the photo the bolts pass over the VIN

[Alanymarce]

I'd redesign the bracket. You may not have the VIN checked often, but even once would be very inconvenient.

I've had the VIN checked occasionally, usually as long as the licence plate number is the same as the on the carnet or the TIP document they don't look for the actual number, but it does happen.

[PanEuropean]

Originally Posted by rtw1day

...as you can see in the photo the bolts pass over the VIN

True, they do obscure parts of the VIN, but at least 80% of the VIN is visible.

My guess is that you would have to find a particularly ornery customs official - or one that is looking for an excuse to extract a bribe from you - before you would be asked to remove a bolt to make the entire VIN visible.

If it was my bike, I'd take a high-resolution photo of the entire VIN before mounting the bracket, then mount the bracket and head off on the trip, with the photo stored electronically on a smartphone or printed in colour on paper.

But, it really depends on what borders you plan to cross. If you intend to visit countries where the border officials have a reputation for being ornery or asking for bribes, then you might want to either modify the design or just carry a couple of wrenches that will allow you to remove the bolt(s) to display the VIN.

If I was a policeman or border official who had genuine concerns that made me want to see the VIN, it would be the last digits of the VIN I would want to see, not the first digits. The first few digits indicate the country of manufacture and the name of the vehicle manufacturer - that information will be obvious from just looking at the motorcycle. The last half-dozen digits are the actual "serial number" of the vehicle.

Michael

[guzzi vince]

For peace of mind redesign the bracket. Your VIN must be readable. I have a Triumph tiger 800XC. The VIN is in two places on this bike. The one on the steering head is difficult to read because of the fairing. The one under the seat is easy to see.

My VIN was checked a few times crossing borders on the Pan Am.

Take care ... stay safe stay planning and keep dreaming. Vince

[LD Hack]

You don't have your location on your profile: If you're from North America - Mexico always checks and photos your VIN on departure. It all has to be visible.

[Grant Johnson]

Originally Posted by LD Hack

You don't have your location on your profile: If you're from North America - Mexico always checks and photos your VIN on departure. It all has to be visible.

Good point LD Hack!
You can edit your profile and a bunch of options by clicking User Options above. Well worth having a look!

[rtw1day]

Originally Posted by LD Hack

You don't have your location on your profile: If you're from North America - Mexico always checks and photos your VIN on departure. It all has to be visible.

Location is Australia, but we don’t have boarders......

There is a factory sticker under the seat that has the VIN, but I was going to paint the frame so the stickers would go, bracket redesign is probably going to be the best option