Massachusetts Registration Woes

[comfortableshoes]

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]

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]

THATS GOOD NEWS !!!

 

[Urbex]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[comfortableshoes]

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.

 

[cruiser66]

No numbers needed for registration in Fall River. As far as I know, the DMV does not track ownership for mopeds or motorbikes since there is no requirement for a title. Any number which is unique to the bike should be used and should be acceptable. Making up a number is useless if you are trying to prove ownership in case of theft or for resale or if, for some reason, the law wants proof of ownership. Numbers on the bike should match the registration.

66

 

[comfortableshoes]

No numbers needed for registration in Fall River. As far as I know, the DMV does not track ownership for mopeds or motorbikes since there is no requirement for a title. Any number which is unique to the bike should be used and should be acceptable. Making up a number is useless if you are trying to prove ownership in case of theft or for resale or if, for some reason, the law wants proof of ownership. Numbers on the bike should match the registration.

66

Cruiser, I agree with you , but I think that each DMV in MA looks at these things differently and has different expectations. Like I said when I went to the Framingham DMV I had no issues, they processed it and took my $$$, but when I went to Beverly they said I was a moped and needed a VIN.

I didn't want to swing by Fram again so I put the serial number in with some zeros and carefully referred to my MB as a moped. Sigh. I do plan on picking up a set of leters and numer stamps and tapping in the 5 zeros, in case of theft.

While we may be clear on the rules- no VIN needed for motorized bikes the various DMVs are not as clear as we are and thus "special" precautions are needed when going in.

 

[mechanickid]

haha great thanks

 

[NEAT TIMES]

I Have Seen Serial Numbers With The Zeros First, To Make The Required Amount Of Digits. MAYBE JUST ADD 0`S BEFORE THE BRACKET NUMBER ???

 

[HseLoMein]

What did you do about make and model and year. On my bike its a Huffy from maybe 60,70,80's. How have you specified this?

 

[Exiled]

but when I went to Beverly they said I was a moped and needed a VIN.

seems to me that bringing this along might be helpful:
http://www.mass.gov/rmv/mcmanual/1_Definitions.pdf
If for no other reason then to abate your frustration by proving the ignorant wrong.

According to this, a moped is a type of motorized bicycle, NOT the other way around.

 

[comfortableshoes]

What did you do about make and model and year. On my bike its a Huffy from maybe 60,70,80's. How have you specified this?

Make on mine is a Scwinn
Model is OCC Stingray
Year I put 2006 in, thoughit was unknown. I coud have figured it out online bt I was lazy

For my other bike it's a MadWagon, year is unknown. I put in the closest year I could find 2004. IN your case I'd probably pu unknown or vintage.

 

[comfortableshoes]

seems to me that bringing this along might be helpful:
http://www.mass.gov/rmv/mcmanual/1_Definitions.pdf
If for no other reason then to abate your frustration by proving the ignorant wrong.

According to this, a moped is a type of motorized bicycle, NOT the other way around.

semantics. I'd rather not aggravate them, just get in and out and get my little sicker so I can ride without issue

 

[Russell]

What form do you have to fill out at the rmv in ma? Is it being regestered as a MB or moped? If it HAS to be regestered as a moped isn't one of the requirements that it have an auto clutch? I hope someone can answer these questions as I don't want to enter the rmv totaly stupid.

THX Russell

 

[cruiser66]

Hi Russell,

Here's the form:

http://www.mass.gov/rmv/forms/20017.pdf

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