Is my bike stolen???

MORRIS84 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 31 May 2008 Karma :

Ive just bought a dtr 125 off a guy i found on ebay. There are no frame or engine numbers on it. Its a 2004 model I think because it only has electric start (no kick). There is no v5 with it either. I bought it from his house so I know his address. I have his ebay user name. and he wrote me a reciept on his computer with a picture of the bike and then we both signed it when it was printed.
he told me it was stolen recovered and thats why it has no id numbers and that it could never return to the road. I intend to use it off road anyway so im not bothered about that. When i bought it i was a bit unsure but he seemed genuine enough.

However after talking to a few people everyone has told me it seems dodgy and the more i think about it i have to agree. Is there anyway i can find out the origin of the bike withouth the numbers. also when bikes are stolen recovered do they get restamped before being released or do they just go back into circulation with no id because if thats the case whats to stop ppl nicking bikes and grinding the no's off. Any help/advice of what i can do would be really appreciated.

carlnicholson... · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Karma :

That sounds like the very definition of a dodgy bike, I'm not saying that it is definatley bent, but it couldn't get any more worrying than that.

Two choices, keep it and not worry as without numbers the chances of it ever being traced are almost nil, or let your concience take over and inform the police. If you do though, you will not see your money again.

'Tis your call. Karma

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iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

hmmmnz · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

mmmm the stolen recovered line is a bit bollocks, insurance companies will never remove numbers, the mechanics may remove a frame number to stop it ever being used on the road again if the frame was damaged..
but no one will ever remove engine numbers... ever!!
the thing is that even if you take it to the police, they won't be able to find the rightful owner as there are no numbers to trace...
so taking it to them is pointless. next time don't buy a bike with out numbers
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ms51ves3 · Super Spammer Joined: 07 Jun 2007 Karma :

My scooter is a stolen recovered and still has it's frame number intact. Never looked for the engine number but I am sure that's still there too.

I got a V5 with my bike though with all the details.

alun111 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 May 2007 Karma :

MattEMulsion · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Karma :

Pete. · Super Spammer Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :

That's right stamping the numbers leaves an "impression" through the metal as the structure is minutely changed.
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Biker101 · Traffic Copper Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Karma :

Personally i would keep the bike, as far as you are aware it is legit, you have a signed receipt and the previous owners address.

Just go and use it off road and have fun, although i wouldn't sell it on, i'd just run it into the ground then scrap it.
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TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

I dunno about the engine numbers, but it's normal behaviour for the frame numbers to be removed if the bike is written off as a Cat B or lower (in which case, it should be scrapped or broken).

If the frame is given a new number, then it will need to be on a Q-plate (unless it is dodgy, of course).

Any chance that the previous owner had the registration of the bike before it "got stolen"? Or if he can help you track down previous owners?
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Gazdaman · I did a trackday!!! Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Karma :

There are various ways of getting the numbers. You can use a dye I think. It was done recently, search for 'ringer'. There was a huge thread that made it into MCN.

Keep in mind, that if it does come back as stolen, it will be taken from you.

Gaz

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

NSR Mick · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

sickpup · Old Timer Joined: 21 Apr 2004 Karma :

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

Well, in my experience, none of the above really applied - an engineer came around to "confirm" that it was Cat B...I sent off the V5 to the insurance company, and that's it - the bike stayed in my garage...I fixed it up...filled in a V62...and a few weeks later, got a new V5 with the original reg. I then got the bike re-insured, and it was back on the road.

No-one asked to take the bike away, grind off any numbers, crush the bike etc...
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sievuun · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 21 May 2006 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

petemell · Trackday Trickster Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Karma :

Make sure you keep the receipt for this bike, Yamaha trial bikes are a high risk bike and there are probably loads of stolen recovered ones around.

If it's only for off road used I would just use it, the original owner will have been paid off by their insurance by now.

Knacker · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Karma :

Bitch of a catch this one,

Do you tell the filth you think you've got a nicked bike, They say thanks take it and do whatever with it and you loose your reddies.

Or,

Just use it for what it is have some fun, And just try not to think your trashing someones DTR around.

Either way you'll learn not to buy a bike with no V5 or numbers again.

Sorry to hear it though Mate.
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Cigaro · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2007 Karma :

I don't see why they would remove the numbers. I have heard of plenty of people buying stolen recovered (or written off) bikes from recovery places and getting them back on the road. Surely you need the frame number to do that, unless you get the DVLA to allocate you a new one...

If I were you I'd ask the bloke which recovery company it was that took it in after it was found, and then phone them and ask them if they remove the numbers.

smegballs · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Karma :

For anyone who does wanna get rid of some engine numbers...

Grininding it off the surface isnt enough...

Go over where the numbers were like buggery with a punch - the more times the better.

Reason being is that this will distort the metal crystals which bear the numbers. When the number gets stamped it leaves and imprint throughout the metal as the shock travels through the crystal structure. Going over with a punch leaves its own changes to the crystals hence the more the better....

Good for putting a meant to be destroyed engine in a road legal frame Thumbs Up

Rich