What's in his ad doesn't make much sense to me . But on a side note , I was once told by an MoT inspector that if the last 5 or 6 digits are marked in the metal of the frame in some way ( stamps , free-hand engraver ) , and there is some paper-work with the same numbers , all is cushty ..... ...... if it's the Will of Allan ( of course ! ) .
My original plan, before I discovered that the 916 frame was “damaged/repairable” Cat N was to stamp a replacement, blank frame with the same VIN and retain the original headstock for verification, but that won’t work as it’ll simply carry forward the Insurance Category. ☹️
I completely understand what you are saying re. crossing all the "T"s and dotting the "I"s . But it's not too difficult to "slide" such a build into the system , using a suitable lubricant ..... I've heard that something as simple as a packet of chocolate Hob-Nobs can often work well ! My point is that once it has slid into the system , it will just stay there ..... forever . © Disclaimer - some of what I write may be the product of an unbalanced mind .
@KevB of course, you’re absolutely correct, I forgot the earlier ones only had 15 digits in them as @Guillaume69 points out. My mistake
Learning experience all round I hadn't realised they changed the format to the US type. At least the info is all in one thread now.
I reframed my 996 in Germany with a new frame from Ducati. cut off headstock on the old frame, and then presented it to the inspector for the number to be transferred across..
But as this old 916 frame is recorded “damaged/repairable”, that will just transfer across to the new one. Back to square one
Just another opinion, fwiw… The reality is that they are only original once and you are going to end up with a bitsa that needs some explaining no matter what you do - unstamped new frame, replacement used frame without v5, replacement frame with v5. It isn’t going to be original, and there are enough markers there to allow any half diligent potential buyer who does the relevant checks through a decent app to find out enough to know not all is right, even if you changed it to the reg from the frame with v5, the report will show up a different engine number than the one it came with, and that mileage does not match up. I don’t think a 30 year old bike in good condition with a coherent story will be less desirable / fetch noticeably less because it is vcar categorised - If I was buying a bike like this, someone showing me pictures, docs and invoices for a new chassis with the original reg would not put me off, as it had been done correctly. I would be less sure if it came back as non-cat but the original engine number had been changed and there was a mileage discrepancy. That would be due either to someone doing what you are proposing, or because the original engine had let go, possibly due to poor maintenance, and I would ask more questions.
Thanks @Jon Wright. If that’s true, I might well just have the current frame repaired (Pierobon would). Interested in other members’ views of a Cat N/whatever. PS re: the current engine-I’ve yet to find out what has caused the damage (‘sump holed’) which may involve a heck of a lot more than replacing the engine cases (which will give a different engine number!) there’s a different 916 engine in the joblot but the condition of that is also unknown.
3 of my bikes are cat N bikes and it doesn’t bother me in the slightest. I bought them damaged and repaired them myself though so I know they have been repaired safely and correctly. Would I buy a fully repaired cat N bike , yes if it was the right price.
Been there , done that ..... new engine cases ? ..... maybe without numbers ? The golden rule , with all government departments , is to never volunteer unnecessary information If DVLA or an MoT tester asks you for something specific , then show it to them . A lot of these people are bored out of their minds by the grind of the daily routine . Why would anyone want to put a stone in their shoe ?? But for the love of everything Holy , do not just walk up to them with a sawn-off headstock in one hand , and a bit of paper in the other . You will only be digging a pit of misery for yourself ! The goal is simply to get an official record of your successful encounter with whichever government dept , which will then be "chiseled in stone" ( digitally speaking ) as far as UK Gov plc is concerned . Once accomplished , there will never be a problem for any future buyer/owner .
But @oldtech if I simply replace the engine cases, the bike will have different engine numbers on the case compared to the V5 which would be … difficult to explain?
As my earlier post explained, apart from wanting a new project, and the joy of a 916, I also have to bear in mind the saleability’ of my bikes once I’m no longer here. It’ll be as much work to strip and rebuild a Cat N bike as a ‘clean’ one.
Replacing your frame with a "clean" one and getting hold of a V5C for it with your current engine number appended (along with the colour) should be fairly straightforward The only problem I can see is the date of manufacture of that frame, and it's associated model and engine number may not then marry up with what is on record within Ducati's historical factory database.
Yes. It’s just acquiring a 916 frame in the first place. As I can’t find anything in the UK, I’m looking at possible imports.
I would recommend anyone thinking of doing this to do plenty of research into what they are getting themselves into. I believe, even with the very best outcome, with an age related, rather than Q plate, what you will have is a bike with a logbook that states registration date as xx/xx/2024 and stamped “built up vehicle”
I agree, a certain level of research is required...but if you were to buy a frame say in France with the papers. Build it up in the UK, then apply for UK reg and present the complete bike...who would know that it wasn't imported already assembled? Ps: I'm fairly sure the engine numbers are not on the French "Carte Grise" (V5C equivalent) Pss: Let me confirm that for defo... can't lay my hands on my paperwork at the mo'
No engine number on the French certificat d’immatriculation (aka « carte grise ») . Only the VIN, license plate number and owner’s name.
