V5 engine swap

[koolio]

I have two identical 37 year old bikes, just a couple of years not historic.

Both are runners, both have an MOT.

One has a perfect frame, nice reg, nice electrics, but a clapped out engine.

The other has a ragged frame, bad electrics, but a nice engine (compression etc.).

Both have correct V5s with the correct engines in them.

I'd like to do a straight swap of the engines and then sell the clapped out engine and ragged frame.

Knowing how retarded the DVLA are, is there anyway I can go about this?

[Teflon-Mike]

You look at the V5 and see where it says change of details.
Put the engine number of the engine you are fitting to that bike, on the box, and send it off to DVLA, wait a fortnight, comes back with either the details changed or a letter wanting proof of change via mechanics report or VOSA VIC. Follow instructions from there.
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[Turkish]

[numpty2]

Unless you plan on selling the one good bike after the swap, I'd be tempted to not trouble the DVLA. If you are going to keep the complete bike, who's to complain? It only becomes an issue if you're trying to sell it.
It's not like you've pulled a fast one by dropping in a bigger engine. Would an MOT tester even look for the number? A judicious "slip" with a vicious file would render the number illegible anyway.
I wouldn't trust the DVLA to not cock it up.

[P.]

Not checked by MOT guys. Bit of dirt/grease/tape over it means they can't see it anyway.

Never notified DVLA of CLR, CBR, CX50, FZR engine swaps.

[numpty2]

I can think of only 2 instances where I would feel obliged to tell the DVLA:

Putting an old engine in a newer bike and then trying to sell it. But even then common sense needs to come into it. My current 15 year old bike has an 18 year old engine - hardly an issue.

Putting a more powerful engine in a bike. I imagine the forces of officialdom might be a bit upset about this since you would be cheating them out revenue, either through tax or insurance.

In your case, there doesn't seem to be much point. But perhaps you might want to grind off the number from the knackered engine if you sell it, just in case someone re-uses the engine and tells the DVLA.

[pdg]

I've done engine swaps on 3 cars and 2 bikes and I was never asked for any form of proof or had any checks done. With one of the cars (1972 land rover) I changed the model at the same time as it was wrong - they just took my word for it in the office.

A direct swap for the same type of engine should be straightforward enough, especially given the age.

Personally, I'd always declare the change of details.

[koolio]

[pdg]

The change of model name was more than two years ago, but in that case it was a change from one recognised name to another which could be easily proved (I even offered to prove it). I can't see how it would be any different now to be honest...

My own course of action in your case would be to take both V5s in to your local DVLA office and ask them in person. It's quite surprising sometimes what can be achieved that way rather than the anonymity of doing it by post.

If they say they can't change the docs until you've actually done the swap, tell them both engines are out and you were waiting for confirmation before refitting them.

[koolio]

In my experience word of mouth is the worst way to go with institutions such as the DVLA and DSA, I've been told one thing several times by word of mouth face to face only to receive a slap on the wrists by letter, at my expense.

Most of the time they themselves don't know what they are doing but try to fit you into one of their guidelines, that or anyway to get money out of you.

Just my experience.

[Kickstart]

Hi

Unlike the chassis number the engine number isn't really linked to the identity of the vehicle (indeed, quite possible not to have an engine number on the V5, or even on the engine itself). As such you should be able to swap it with no problems at all. The only thing now is that they seem to want some evidence the engine is legitimate (such as a receipt) but even then they can be flexible.

That said I wouldn't send both V5s off at the same time. Likely to confuse them.

Small point is that if the bikes are likely to be regarded as historic then a non original engine (ie, wrong engine number) will affect the value. Probably far less of a problem with a Honda, but on older Yamahas the engine and chassis numbers match so an engine swap is very obvious.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[koolio]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Think part of it is to have some trace over the parts. As you have both engines I suppose you could write yourself a receipt .

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[tahrey]

Eh, maybe depends how easy it is to get access to and read the engine number, and how much of a theft risk your bike is/how bothered you'd be about having the bits traced if it was nicked and broken up.

As well as if you've had them from new.

If they're basically the same machine, you could probably get away quite happily with switching them, and then if anyone said anything about it, just say "that engine was on the bike when I bought it" and in the absence of anyone being able to prove anything, or someone being able to make any kind of realistic argument that you should check the engine number matches the V5 before you buy the bike, it'd be your word against the previous owner's and the DVLA's.

Given that it's fairly easy to access the engine number plate on mine, and some wally's daubed "XR125" all over my replacement lower end ... provided it doesn't actually cost anything to update the details, I think I may well send in the relevant scrap of paper. Though I could just as easily claim the "previous owner must have done it" defence.

You never know how arsey insurers may get, etc...

[koolio]

On a completely other vein of the same theme.

Lets say I have a historic 1971 CB450 and I slip in a 75 CB500T engine (both are identical on the outside and nearly identical on the inside).

The 500 engine is actually weaker but a nicer thumper than the revvy 450 engine.

What chances are there of this blowing up in my face if notify the DVLA?

[pdg]

[koolio]