Massachusetts Registration Woes

comfortableshoes · #1 08-25-2008, 05:09 PM

I just got back from the RMV in my town. There they told me that I need to apply for a VIN #. It will cost me $50, more than I already have in my weedwacker build.

I know some of you here in Mass have registered your motorized vehicles without this insane step. Can you tell me which RMV you went to? I went to the one in Beverly.

I have a feeling that if I was registering a vintage bike, it wouldn't have been an issue, but because my bike is from 2004 they want me to have the number. If I can go to a different RMV, one where they have accepted the serial number in the past then I might be able to get it on the road without spending an additional $50.

I don't mind traveling to get to it, but I want to get this bike on the road legal and be able to ride all over without looking in my rear view to see if the po po are there.

comfortableshoes · #2 08-27-2008, 09:39 PM

I got word that the Lowel RMV will register motored bikes with no issues.
I went to the Framingham RMV and got no issues and walked out with my sticker!

When I finish the other bike I will head to Melrose to see if that RMV will register the motored bike without issues.

NEAT TIMES · #3 08-27-2008, 10:14 PM

THATS GOOD NEWS !!!

Urbex · #4 09-04-2008, 05:14 PM

I registered my bike in Beverly with no problems, I gave her my serial number for the VIN.

I also live in this fine city, maybe I'll see you around some time!

comfortableshoes · #5 09-04-2008, 07:46 PM

Did you fill out he form before you went in with the serial number? I think I'll try again for the next build...

I try and ride a couple times every week, and I'm hoping that we'll have good weather long into the fall so that I can keep up the riding. I'm pretty hard to miss, the short round woman on a bike that sounds like a weedwacker...

I like to go over to the "nicer side" of town for the stares

I was thinking that a North Shore Motored bike/Moped ride might be a fun thing to do, of course, my bike only hits 14 to 19mph so it would be a slow tour for me, but at some point I'd like to organize one.

Urbex · #6 09-04-2008, 08:15 PM

I remember filling out some forms, and waiting a long time. It only took a few seconds at the counter, and I was on my way with the sticker.

I like to cruise on the smooth shoulders of 62 and cut through downtown, then head into Salem. My other little spot is up 1A through "North Beverly" and around Wenham Lake.

Shoot me a PM.

comfortableshoes · #7 09-04-2008, 09:37 PM

62 is nice once you get past the starbucks area- nice and smooth.

Honestly Cabot Street area scares the h3!! out of me, rode up there last weekend and I swear a series of SUV drivers were attempting to take me out- along lolthrop/172 it 15mph- I was going 14 and many passed me!

This city is one of the prettiest on the North Shore, I just wish people weren't as snobbish, but then I live down on the rough side of town....

cruiser66 · #8 09-05-2008, 12:03 AM

Registered in Fall River without a VIN or serial number. Guess I went on a good day. I later filled in the serial number from the bottom bracket on to the registration.

66

mechanickid · #9 10-29-2008, 02:13 PM

are you guys saying that u use the numbers off you bikes as the vin? does that work?

comfortableshoes · #10 10-29-2008, 04:33 PM

it depends on where you go to do it. Framingham did not require vin nor serial number for registration. Beverly requires it. I used the serial number off my bottom bracket with 5 zeros added to make 17 digits. I would suggest that you break up the zeros into the natural breaks of the vin- 3 digits 2 zeros, 3 more digits 2 more zeros last 5 digits.

The girl definitely looked at the vin funny and asked me about all the zeros.