Can an Ontario salvage bike be registered for road use again?

robmack

robmack

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I'd like clarification on this question so that I can decide if I'll pursue this idea further.

I've found a bike that is currently an insurance write-off due to an electrical fire. There is no engine or structural damage to the vehicle. Let's assume that the fire damage can be repaired and the bike brought to a condition that would allow it to pass an Ontario safety inspection. Given this, would the MTO allow the bike to be registered for road use if the safety inspection report passed (and obviously all the other paperwork like ownership was in order)? Or is the original "salvage" branding stuck with the VIN forever and the bike can never be registered again?

I searched the forum but the majority of discussion is around importing a "salvage" or "rebuilt" titled US bike into Canada. This is not the case here however.

Thanks for an informed answer.
 
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Can't be done. Once that VIN is branded, no matter the underlying reason, it can't go back.
 
robmack said:
Unfortunate. So, I guess the only way this bike could re-live would be to find a frame with a VIN which has no brand attached to it and transfer all the parts. Correct?
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Yep, technically not the same bike though. You just replaced parts on the good frame from the salvage one.
 
robmack said:
Unfortunate. So, I guess the only way this bike could re-live would be to find a frame with a VIN which has no brand attached to it and transfer all the parts. Correct?
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Or a nice track bike....
 
sircastic said:
Yep, technically not the same bike though. You just replaced parts on the good frame from the salvage one.
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This brings up another thought.

What is the situation if an independent frame builder were to manufacture a new frame from scratch using raw materials, and all the parts were then transfered to this frame. The original VIN follows the old frame is discarded when the old frame which is discarded once the parts transfer is completed. Is it procedurally possible for the MTO to assign a new VIN to the new frame? It seems to me to be a kind of loophole.

I'd only be considering any options because the bike in question is a limited edition 2011 model.
 
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Might be a stupid question but how do they know the VIN is genuine and not fabricated?
 
One thing to keep in mind is that some bikes will be sold as write-offs, but the title is not actually branded as salvage. It might be worth checking.
 
wait to buy other bike, this sounds like too much trouble and a lot of money, you don't need the grief:cool:
 
robmack said:
What is the situation if an independent frame builder were to manufacture a new frame from scratch using raw materials, and all the parts were then transfered to this frame.
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If it's an aluminum spar frame, forget it. I haven't heard of anyone around here building custom sportbike frames. If it's a steel tube frame, it's still going to cost you a lot of money and time.
 
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