Just taking a break and enjoying a coffee so decided to have a quick scan at the evil bay and one of the first auctions is for a 916 track bike. The owner has been very up front and has stated that long before his ownership, the engine and frame numbers had been removed. I've been round the block a few (too many) times so it immediately got me thinking that without hard evidence, a pit lane inspection by a Police/DVLA task force (which used to be all the rage) is going to get your bike impounded in a second. On the same theme, both my ex factory 748RS engines and the set of new 748 cases I got in the job lot I bought (legitimately from a race team) have no numbers, not removed, never stamped. Are there still task force checks carried out at UK track days ? Can't say I've seen any in the last 3 years. Andy
2 different things Andy. 1) been removed -avoid like the plague imho. Police will take it, scrutineers don't like it 2) never had one - don't see too much of a problem Police won't take s letter from anyone, but not heard of day being taken away. Scrutineers are ok with letter (or used to be) Word of caution, I have seen a couple that look like no numbers ever but it's really thick powder coat over removed numbers.
My frame is original factory stamped, but like said above powder coat has obscured it. Sometimes with perfect light conditions I can just about make out a very faint hint of the numbers. Still I would not touch a frame with numbers deliberatly removed (letter or not). Whose to say that the letter belongs to that frame.
I have a brand new 998 frame, purchased from a well known and respected member on this forum. It was originally meant for a bike being built for the the TT but did not materialise. It has no frame number and I would have no hesitation incorporating it into a build at some stage. Forensically there is a difference between buying a bike that has had engine and\or frame numbers removed due to a dubious or stolen history than one that had never had numbers in the first place, and this can be fairly easily realised using laboratory methods . If it came to the crunch the Police would and should know and realise this, therefore if you are confident that what you have is legitimate then there should not be a problem. Although the Police should of course realise this and act accordingly to make a decision. If they fail to then that would be a matter for further action them I feel, and some well placed phone calls or enquiries can often get the ball rolling so that the matter can be sorted out. If what you have is genuine then you should have nothing to fear. This purely my opinion based on experience and my knowledge of forensic work carried out by the government laboratory due to a prior connection with them.
