Billyrocka wrote:Are they checking VINs on ALL parked scooters or only the illegally parked ones?

Billyrocka wrote:I haven't checked, but, would '74 or '80 Lambrettas have an external VIN? Would these technically be considered 'vintage' (over 25 years old) and not fall under this requirement?

as per the detectives who towed our scoots, my husband and i them at the 10th precinct (chelsea) to discuss the matter of our towed scooters. we thought we would get a hefty ticket and instructions on how to retrieve our scooters from the pound.


WE WERE ARRESTED.


no joke. the charge is for altering or removing VIN plate from scooter. they held us for an hour while they processed a shitton of paperwork. fingreprinted, mugshots, cuffs - the whole arrest process. they said they realized they didn't think it was warranted for us, but that they had no choice but to follow procedure as what we did was a felony. though the "crime" is a felony they said we'll very likely get a violation which is a misdemeanor. we have to appear at court at the end of the month AND we have to apply for entirely new VIN plates from the DMV. we can't get our scooters from the Queens tow pound until all of this is processed, at least 1 month.


one of the detectives admit what we all already know - the city is doing anything to generate revenue. this unit started towing VIN-less scooters about 6 weeks ago and so far 30-35 riders have been arrested for no VIN plate! he said there was some poor guy coming in the next day for the exact same arrest, and they have about 5 a week.


they didn't tell us they were going to arrest us when they called us to set up the appointment to meet at the precinct.


the detective even went to so far as to visit the Vespa SoHo repair shop to investigate how many scooters were VIN-less.


sort your VIN issues now. if you removed your VIN, i strongly recommend you put it back on, or contact the DMV to request a new one.


good luck all.

hey all -wanted to give you a heads up that me and my husbands scooters were towed (chains cut) by the NYPD and brought to the local precinct. �apparently, the missing VIN plates justified the tow.
> we were contacted shorty thereafter by a detective from the NYPD automotive crime division. we're have to go there on tuesday to pay a pricey ticket and provide all sorts of evidence that the scooters are ours (proof of sale, VIN plates, registration, etc). Im sure it'll be a major pain in the ass.

papafern wrote:Nice

When did the law change to vins have to be visible. My 87 has it on the frame.

4n6iscool wrote:

papafern wrote:Nice

When did the law change to vins have to be visible. My 87 has it on the frame.

I think that that question still has yet to be answered.

4n6iscool wrote:

papafern wrote:Nice

When did the law change to vins have to be visible. My 87 has it on the frame.

I think that that question still has yet to be answered.

Visible VIN plates/Manufacturers labels are required on all vehicles with a manufacture date post 1 January 2006. Any vehicle with a manufacture date before then does not have to have that same VIN plate/manufacturers label.

I'll explain, in a basic way, why visible VIN plate requirements changed on this date.

On 1 January 2006, the Federal authorities reclassified 2 wheeled vehicles. Prior to this, some small engine vehicles were exempt from some Federal code (the VIN bit being known as CFR, Title 49-part 565). Our scooters no longer got the same exemptions they used to get, so they all required the new Federally mandated manufacturers labelling, which includes a visible VIN. The new classifications were known way before this date, so some Manufacturers started the labelling process early, some didn't.

This vehicle reclassification is also what lead some people to believe that 2-strokes were banned. They are not. They were just reclassified, and from that date were no longer exempt from the the EPA testing.

As a reminder for all those thinking about removing their VIN plate, scratching it or sticking tape over it, any of the above obscuring of that plate is a class 6 felony.

"For Class 6 felonies, the jury or court may choose imprisonment for one to five years or jail for up to 12 months and a fine of up to $2,500, either or both. "

Andrea

crazyinnyc wrote:I found this on the forum here.

http://www.nyscooterclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=92213#p92213

Visible VIN plates/Manufacturers labels are required on all vehicles with a manufacture date post 1 January 2006. Any vehicle with a manufacture date before then does not have to have that same VIN plate/manufacturers label.

I'll explain, in a basic way, why visible VIN plate requirements changed on this date.

On 1 January 2006, the Federal authorities reclassified 2 wheeled vehicles. Prior to this, some small engine vehicles were exempt from some Federal code (the VIN bit being known as CFR, Title 49-part 565). Our scooters no longer got the same exemptions they used to get, so they all required the new Federally mandated manufacturers labelling, which includes a visible VIN. The new classifications were known way before this date, so some Manufacturers started the labelling process early, some didn't.

This vehicle reclassification is also what lead some people to believe that 2-strokes were banned. They are not. They were just reclassified, and from that date were no longer exempt from the the EPA testing.

As a reminder for all those thinking about removing their VIN plate, scratching it or sticking tape over it, any of the above obscuring of that plate is a class 6 felony.

"For Class 6 felonies, the jury or court may choose imprisonment for one to five years or jail for up to 12 months and a fine of up to $2,500, either or both. "

Andrea

scriber17 wrote:Does that technically mean if I cover my bike with a bike cover I am obscuring the vin?