USDOT FEDERAL
VEHICLE MANUFACTURER
LICENSE AGENCY
VEHICLE MANUFACTURER LICENSE
MOTORCYCLES * TRAILERS * LSVs
Chuck Bauman, Licensing Consultant
USDOT FEDERAL
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ISSUING VINs NUMBERS AND BUYING VIN NUMBERS
Old choppers laying around with no title are a problem AND an opportunity. The VIN number system we currently use has been in effect since 1981. It is not only a federal system, it is actually a worldwide system. Licensed vehicle manufacturers issue 17 digit VIN numbers that have set patterns to them for each type of vehicle -- passenger cars, motorcycles, trailers, etc. You can't legally buy a VIN number. Some people have tried to do this and it is always a disaster. Do not do it! If you get a VIN number through any such illegal method it will undoubtably fail at some point or another. Eventually the system will catch whatever the scam is and invalidate such VINs resulting in the impounding of any such vehicles. Special construction and other special titles issue different numbers to vehicles. Typically you can build a home-made motorcycle for instance, go through a process with your DMV including inspection and review of receipts and MSO for major components, and you are then issued a state vehicle number which is usually 8 to 14 digits in length depending on the state. These special construction or special titled vehicles and their titles are of dubious value. 
Some states no longer accept such special titles, some states limit the title to being non-transferable, financing and insurance (full coverage) are IMPOSSIBLE to get on these "special" vehicles, and you can NOT take them into Canada. More and more restrictions are being placed on special construction and special titled vehicles every day by state legislatures and DMVs. Eventually these titles will probably no longer be recognized or accepted in any state. As part of my service of obtaining the Federal Vehicle Manufacturer License for people, I set up and register your VIN code system for your vehicles and get you complete instructions on calculating your VIN numbers and handling your Certification Labels, Placards, and MCOs. I make it all hassle-free for you to build and legally VIN motorcycles, trailers, and LSVs (Low Speed Vehicles). A licensed vehicle manufacture can build his vehicles -- including choppers -- from any legal parts. This includes obtaining old untitled but UN-stolen choppers and re-manufacturing them. The manufacturer must make sure that their complete vehicle complies with current FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) for that type of vehicle. 
In the case of a chopper for instance, the FMVSS for motorcycles would require A) brand new DOT-approved street legal tires, B) TWO brakes (front and rear) C) brand new DOT brake lines, D) DOT brake fluids E) DOT compliant brand new lighting including high/low beam headlight, tail light, brake light AND turn signals front and rear F) horn G) mirrors. So you can resurrect and old chopper -- as long as it is not stolen -- and use it and its parts to do a final re-manufacturer under current FMVSS and issue a new VIN number and MCO under your name as the manufacturer, certifying DOT compliance with current FMVSS. So an old home-made chopper with no title can become (with a little work) a brand new completely legal motorcycle with a 17 digit VIN number and an MCO which is recognized worldwide as a legal pre-title to the complete new vehicle. You need to get your Federal Vehicle Manufacturer License which I can do for you at cost -- $1500. The process takes about 2 to 4 weeks after which there is a 60 day waiting period before you begin issuing VIN numbers. I get you licensed, set-up your VIN code system, and get you all of the instructions and info you need to handle VINs and MCOs. There is a lot of money to be made resurrecting old untitled choppers legally and getting them completely, legally titled for sale with 17 digit VIN numbers and MCOs. There are tons of old bikes sitting around in garages and barns with no titles and few decent options for getting them titled and registered. By doing a legal re-manufacturer as a licensed motorcycle manufacturer you can breathe new life and value into old un-titled choppers. You can build new choppers and trikes for the ground up and/or re-build, re-VIN and titled old choppers which are untitled and unusable. This is an excellent money-making opportunity. Old choppers and bikes with no titles can be purchased very cheap and the parts to bring them up to current safety codes are not very expensive. When done you will have very valuable bikes to sell. -- $$$$ -- 
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