1971 Kawasaki A7 Avenger

[Mike.Gayner]

Yes it would need a new VIN either way, but if you can't prove it was registered in NZ previously it needs to go through a different compliance process, the process that a post-1991 bike would go through. Although you bike had fallen out of the system, it could still be complied under the pre-1991 rules because you could prove it had been registered before.

There are no records to associate the VIN with a plate number because there is no VIN, just a chassis number which doesn't show up in their system (which is pretty normal for a bike this age).

[iranana]

Yes it would need a new VIN either way, but if you can't prove it was registered in NZ previously it needs to go through a different compliance process, the process that a post-1991 bike would go through. Although you bike had fallen out of the system, it could still be complied under the pre-1991 rules because you could prove it had been registered before.

There are no records to associate the VIN with a plate number because there is no VIN, just a chassis number which doesn't show up in their system (which is pretty normal for a bike this age).

Ahh, I see, bugger, I had assumed the VIN and Chassis number were the same thing Keep us updated on what progress you make, as I'm curious as to what you'll have to do to get her back on the road!

[eelracing]

Somehow you're getting dicked around Mike.As I've mentioned in an earlier post the process couldn't of been simpler.
I rocked up to VTNZ here and the lovely young lady couldn't find any records of my RD and I have no license plate.She gave me a statuatory dec. form and informed me to fill it out and get it signed by a JP.I just went into the Local court house and the lovely lady there behind the enquiries counter signed it on the spot.
I then booked the bike in to be tested at VTNZ and on arriving they asked if it had a brake test done.No I said,no worries the head techie said we'll do it now.
Lovely people to deal with here mate.Do as Iranana suggests and go over the heads of those spoons you are dealing with.

Oh yeah once passed VTNZ riveted the new VIN plate to the inside of the seat frame rail...you wouldn't even know it's there.

[Mike.Gayner]

Cheers guys, I'll take another run at them next week.

[Mike.Gayner]

If anyone's wondering, I'm still working on getting the damn registration for this bike. It's unbelievable the bullshit they make you go through. I've also spoken with a couple of people around town who have done multiple restorations and have been through the process many times - there's nothing I can do to short-cut it unfortunately, and there are no "friendly" VIN people in town who are willing to overlook a bit of missing paperwork.

So to summarise, here is what I can tell you about getting an old bike re-registered:

There are two pieces of paperwork that are basically essential to do it the easy way:

• proof of ownership (a paperwork trail from the previous registered owner to you)
• proof of prior registration, e.g. a number plate, rego papers, insurance papers etc, OR if they can find your frame number in the system this will do.

If you have these two things, it's a piece of cake. Walk into a VIN office (or make an appointment), have a basic WOF-like check done, and they'll issue a new VIN, from which you can get registered.

If you're missing either of these things, your life gets difficult. In my case I'm missing proof of prior registration. I know that the bike has been registered, but I don't have any documents to prove it. Even an old photo with the old number plate would do, but neither of the two previous owners I'm in contact with has anything. In my case I need to collect as much information as I can, and take it to a VIN agent who will submit an "Alternative Documents" form with NZTA. You can't do this yourself - it has to be on an agent's letterhead (when I talk about an "agent" I'm referring to VTNZ etc - people authorised to do this work).

The paperwork I have accumulated so far is:

• A letter from Kawasaki to say that the frame/engine number aren't in their system before they idiotically purged their records some time ago, but they confirmed that they imported a lot of these bikes at the time.
• A Letter from the Police stating that they have no interest in the bike's frame or engine number.
• A list of documents helping to prove the age of the bike.
• Bill of sale between the last registered (though can't prove it) owner and me.
• Email correspondence between me and a prior (also unproven registered) owner.
• Statutory declaration stating that I legally own the bike.

The last piece of paperwork I need is a certificate of authenticity from the Vintage Car Club. This absolute rort is a process where you give them all the documentation needed to prove the age and model of the bike, they pretend to know what they're talking about, you pay them $100 and they give you a certificate "proving" the bike is what I say it is. Once I have this I can submit all of this to the NZTA via the VIN agent, and then I spin a roulette wheel hoping I get someone in a good mood. No one is willing to tell me what the probability of being accepted is - sometimes you win, sometimes you don't.

Things I've learned:

• Everything takes time. Everyone is slow and lazy and takes forever to get back to you.
• VIN agents are lazy, unhelpful assholes who hate anything that requires a little bit of work. Every single one I've talked to has been basically unwilling to help me. None of them are willing to go the extra mile.
• No one wants to give you definite answers, especially lazy VIN agents. They all want to leave escape holes open.
• VIN agents don't know anything - do all of your own research, because they'll give you lots of bad information.

Hopefully I'm only a month or two from having a new numberplate. For now I've given up caring and I just ride the bike anyway. I carry around my documentation so if any sympathetic cop pulls me over I can prove I've done everything humanly possible. I'm willing to accept a fine in the unlikely case that I get pulled over. My bike is 100% roadworthy and up to WOF standards.

If anyone has any information they can give me that would simplify this process, or if any sympathetic VIN agent wants to help me avoid any more of this bullshit (unlikely), please get in touch.

[Mike.Gayner]

Well that was an enormous nuisance but the A7 is finally VIN'd, reg'd, WOF'd and licensed.

Once I had the required documentation it was easy - dropped off the bike at VTNZ yesterday and picked it up today with a VIN tag. $199 for inspection, VIN and WOF, and about $175 for registration and 12 months (classic) license.

Finally I can ride the thing legally.

Oh, and it's running beautifully. I don't have any intention of restoring any more - not for the next few years anyway. The bike is too good to tear apart.

[SPman]

Well that was an enormous nuisance but the A7 is finally VIN'd, reg'd, WOF'd and licensed.

Once I had the required documentation it was easy - dropped off the bike at VTNZ yesterday and picked it up today with a VIN tag. $199 for inspection, VIN and WOF, and about $175 for registration and 12 months (classic) license.

Finally I can ride the thing legally.

Oh, and it's running beautifully. I don't have any intention of restoring any more - not for the next few years anyway. The bike is too good to tear apart.

Congrats.

An original bike in good running order is far preferable to a pristine, restored to 150% better than it ever was.
Just continue a "running evolution" as requiredand enjoy.

lucky bugger

[Mike.Gayner]

You wouldn't bloody believe it - way home from work tonight, stoked that the bike is finally legal and all that....engine seizes on the motorway. Fuck. I've done a couple of thousand K's on this bike since owning it without issue. *sigh*

Well, I guess I'm rebuilding the motor.

[ducatilover]

That's a bummer Mike, it's a beaut wee machine that. Very jealous!

[Mike.Gayner]

Heads and barrels off and the engine still wont turn. Looks like a bottom end failure.

[98tls]

Bugger,hope your up and running soon.Been reading your posts re rego etc and going by that i am going to have a problem when it comes time to put the old Motorsport on the road,tis a one owner last rego was 1990,the plates there but i dont have the ownership papers from 74,bloke cant find em.Intersting reading and i guess ive hassles ahead.Beautiful bike that,credit to ya.

[Grumph]

Heads and barrels off and the engine still wont turn. Looks like a bottom end failure.

Unless you can see damage with the barrels off, pull the side covers till you can see the primary drive one side and crank the other. Primary gear nut may have moved - or the alternator may have seized, won't necessarily be a crank fault.

[Mike.Gayner]

Update, got the pistons off and found the issue. Right side rod seized at the big end. No idea how/why at this point because everything looks nice and oily.

[Mike.Gayner]

Getting there.

http://i.imgur.com/L9vq3oI.jpg

[Mike.Gayner]

Crank is off with a guy who is helping me rebuild it, but rods appear to be virtually unobtainable. Might have to substitute with some H1 rods and add a spacer/longer studs to accommodate the extra 5mm length.