How hard is it to get a VIN from scratch on a written off import?

[El Dopa]

Question is all in the thread title, really - how hard is it to get a VIN from scratch on a written off import?

That is, if the bike was written off overseas and then imported:

1) What condition does it need to be in to get a VIN - how good do the repairs have to be?

2) What is the process/paperwork?

For example, your import is (was) a faired sportsbike. You biff the fairings, change the lights, and make a few other changes - say exhaust, rear subframe/seat, forks, handlebars - to streetfighter it.

Are the LTSA going to come to the party, or are they going to tel you to piss off?

The LTSA website has some info about 'low volume certification', but that doesn't seem to quite fit.

Comments?

[surfer]

From reading other people's experiences about imports and getting a VIN for them seems to me if you can prove it belongs to you and have the legit paperwork and documents to show how it arrived here, then you are ok.

The next step is then about whether it is a VIN or LVVTA process that you need to go through. The VIN process will be cheaper if you can get it through this but you never know if bending the rules will come back and bite you on the bum later.

As you have made changes and it is not stock you may be required to take it through the LVVTA process. All details are on their website. Give them a call, they are really helpful on the phone (based in Wellington). If you do need to do the LVVTA process make sure you get someone that can do both parts of the test otherwise they will sub contract it out and charge you loads for doing this (my experience anyway, and it was a lot more than I should have paid). LVVTA have a list of agencies that will do this work for them and what they are able to do. There is a biker friendly bloke who does this work in Auckland. My exprience was with an engineering company that ended up charging me for xraying the forks and subcontracting it out as well :argh:

Probably haven't answered your question exactly but I hope it gives you a start and a bit of a clue to some of the pitfalls. Tread carefully and you will be fine. Ask up front for costs.

Good luck.

[FROSTY]

Short N sweet--If you have the DEREG papers from wherever the bikes from --NO PROBLEM.If you don't BIG problem.
Give ALEX a ring --He now specialises in that stuff

[dino3310]

Short N sweet--If you have the DEREG papers from wherever the bikes from --NO PROBLEM.If you don't BIG problem.
Give ALEX a ring --He now specialises in that stuff

you will need the bill of laden paper work aswell (import papers)
email these guys there pretty helpfull they will let you know what you need.
http://www.vinz.co.nz/

[Meekey_Mouse]

Can't help with the import side... but I've just done a Hyosung 250.... It was faired, now street fightered, but it will be faired again once I can get enough $$.

You'll need a frame cert. to be able to re-vin it and if any repairs have been done you'll also need a repair cert. Both of which must be from a LTNZ/VTNZ recognized company.

Don't try to repair the major stuff yourself, take it to the frame/repair cert people.

You might need a brake cert. as well, those aren't too hard.. a good bike shop should be good enough to do them.

Uhmm... apart from that... any indicators, headlights etc. that you use must be NZ certifiable and with the correct markings for NZ roads.

Don't expect the LTSA to give you any help

[El Dopa]

Short N sweet--If you have the DEREG papers from wherever the bikes from --NO PROBLEM.If you don't BIG problem.
Give ALEX a ring --He now specialises in that stuff

Thanks. I'm intending to drop round and have a wee chat with him on Sat - I saw his name on the LVVTA website that surfer pointed me to (thanks surfer).

If I do decide to do this, most of the repairs will be using OEM parts, which should ease the process considerably. However, there will be a few things that might cause a certifier to go a bit cross-eyed, so I think an initial chat with Alex is in order.

If the frame is damaged, i'll not be bothering. Too much trouble.