Cat B Frame - Numbers Ground Off

[BanditsHigh]

Ok, this is a new one for me.

There's a frame on FleaBay, listed as no V5, no documents, blank no ID ... just called them to find out what they it meant.

So, it was a cat B, they've ground the frame numbers (last 4 digits) off and he says I can just stamp it with my frame number and off I go.

I can't understand how this is legal, what's to stop you nicking a bike, grinding off the numbers and restamping!

I don't think I'll be buying it, not when it's only £150 more for a totally legit frame.

Thoughts?

All the best ... Barry

[Hooli]

Not legal at all to change the frame's ID. I don't think a Cat B should even be returned to the road from how I remember things being previously.

[Hooli]

I've just found this - https://www.copart.co.uk/content/uk/en/support/how-to-buy/buying-cat-b-s

Which says you can't return a Cat B to the road, so sounds like they are trying to get money for a frame that should be scrapped.

[Tally]

I just looked up the same site , cat's A+B go straight to the crusher , B being only slightly different as you can remove parts but frame must be destroyed, someone's trying to sell a ringer . Avoid!!!

[BanditsHigh]

Hi all, my thoughts exactly, needless to say I'd already decided to avoid ... but it's always nice to see everyone agrees with me

GOOD NEWS ...
Seller on FleaBay had an '06 frame up for £500, I made an offer of £400, he came back with £450 ... cat N frame with V5 on its way to me

Hopefully in good enough condition that it doesn't need to be blasted/powder coated, which saves £120 ... oh and also MOT'd til mid April 2024, saving even more money 

My '03 was a cat C, so N=C and so not a problem

All the best ... Barry

[hard road]

yeah its illegal to re-stamp a frame, unless a bike is getting a NEW replacement one at a dealers, done this twice now on TL1000's.