Powder coating and VIN plates / frame number
 

I am about to get the frame on my BMW R80 and other bits powder coated and, with knowledge (thank you HU) that border guards are very likely to want to see the VIN plate and frame number when I cross borders / go through a checkpoint, I am wondering what is the best approach to ensuring the VIN plate and frame numbers are still usable.

Do I remove the VIN plate and rivet it back on after the coating process, mask it off (I have high temperature tape to do that) or not worry about it. The same applies the the stamped frame number.

To ensure a good finish, I would remove the vin plate and re rivet it afterwards. Ask the powder coater to go lightly over the stamped frame number so the numbers still show.
I would be surprised if border/customs guys would be bothered to look for the frame stamp once they had seen the vin plate.

You can also use a piece of tape over the stamped frame number on the headstock (presumably you're having the frame sand/grit blasted before re-coating?) - than way it remains uncoated/bare metal and you can just clear lacquer over it afterwards - that is what I did with my XR400 (which didn't have a vin plate).

Jx

Ha! At the Libya - Egypt border crossing - admittedly many years ago, they took a RUBBING of the engine and frame numbers, ignored the VIN plate, compared it super carefully to the registration documents, and then a few hours later in the process, did it AGAIN! And then compared the rubbings. doh
NEVER assume the border guards will be lazy. ALWAYS assume they're bored and looking for something to do, AND have just been reamed out by the boss.
IF the numbers don't match etc. perfectly, we saw the result - you're assumed to be smuggling, bike/car is impounded, you go to jail, and you never see your vehicle again - they're all in a giant impound lot.
Also note - we know of at least one BMW that was INCORRECTLY registered in the owners home country - the engine and frame numbers were recorded as the same - and they're not. Fortunately, in discussion with the traveller, we caught it and he sorted it before leaving.
Paperwork must ALL be perfect!

I have bought a pack of suitably sized rivets to reattach the VIN plate.

A decent powder coating place can coat your frame and keep the stamped frame numbers visible afterwards. Ive had a few done at my local place and they know what to do. I think they coat the whole frame properly with heatproof tape over the numbers and then take the tape off and put a light coat over them. They also mask off bearing seats and things like pivot points for brake pedals so you dont have to sort it yourself afterwards.

The owner is a biker, so knows what to do.