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Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
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Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 17 Feb 2009
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engine number different
While filling out my carnet request I thought I would double check the VIN and engine number. Of course turns out that the engine number is slightly different from the actual number on the bike and the registration document.

bike: xxxxE003xxxx
doc: xxxxE-03xxxx

So one dash in place of a zero. I guess at some stage a computer system at the reg office did not allow a dash so they put in a zero.

What's your thoughts on this? Should I get registration documents changed? My guess is that it would give an opportunity to extract a bribe etc.

Your advise would be greatly appriciated.

Marko
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  #2  
Old 18 Feb 2009
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Mine's the same sort of thing except I have a dash on the bike, a zero on the V5.

Just assumed it was normal but now you've made me think...


Anyone?
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  #3  
Old 18 Feb 2009
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A- If you have time, might be worth getting it changed. Could be a reason for some bent custom official to extract muchos bribes.

B- If you don't I wouldn't worry too much. I've never actually had my frame/engine numbers checked on a border. One option might be plaster some waxoyl or something on that part of the engine (if its in a suitable location). Once they've spent a few minutes fruitlessly searching for your number most customs officials will give up, I suspect. Particularly if your frame number matches OK.

Matt
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  #4  
Old 18 Feb 2009
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Where are you going?
The only place they have checked my frame and engine number was in Egypt, India might also be difficult.
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  #5  
Old 18 Feb 2009
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Thanks for the input
Thanks everyone.

Time could get pretty tight. Leaving Ireland in April for round the world trip (Russia, Mongolia, Alaska -> Ushuaia, Cap Town -> Europe)

Will probably getting this rectified just to give the customs guys no opening .

Cheers,
Marko
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  #6  
Old 2 Mar 2009
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Did you get any further with this?

My friend's XT has the same thing as mine - a dash on the engine, a zero on the V5.
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  #7  
Old 2 Mar 2009
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Never knew you were a biker, Marko!
Hi Marko,
In all the time we've been bumping into each other down in DCC (Dublin Camera Club), I never knew you were a biker! Small world. Sounds like a super trip; no doubt you'll have the camera with you. Looking forward to seeing the shots when you return. I've done some travelling through West Africa; just shout if you have any questions—I'll do my best to answer them for you.
Happy travelling!
Ken

P.S. My vote's for the cover-the-engine-number-in-grease solution proposed above. Reckon most officials won't bother checking; they didn't in my experience.
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  #8  
Old 2 Mar 2009
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Get it sorted - most won't check, but if one does, (and they will for sure in Egypt) it could easily be immediately confiscated and you tossed in jail for smuggling.

NEVER give them an opportunity to screw you with something that is easily fixed. Sooner or later, someone will call you on it, and it's just not worth it.

Plus you'll be nervous at every border, and that's a clue to any customs guy to look harder - and who knows what else they will find, and it will certainly be a lot more aggro if they start getting suspicious.
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  #9  
Old 2 Mar 2009
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I'd make sure the carnet matches the bike, if possible. That said, if it's already been issued based on the registration details, and by the RAC, they'll charge you the full fee for correcting the error. After a mistake the RAC made, I travelled west africa with a carnet for an XRU750 Africa Twin (as opposed to an XRV) with just a covering letter from the RAC (in English, for Pete's sake) to explain their mistake. The RAC wanted to charge me the full fee for re-issuing a correct document.

In their defence, as it happened, I didn't have a problem - but before I left I was very frustrated by the attitude of the RAC, particularly given that the advice is generally to make sure it's absolutely correct.

If the carnet is ok and the registration document is not quite right, I'd not worry about it at all - the few officials that will take any real interest in your documents will mostly be interested in the carnet, and be unable to decipher your registration.
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  #10  
Old 3 Mar 2009
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todderz, looks like we have roughly the same route with the same bike. Mine is a 2003 XT600E. When are you guys setting off? Regarding the reg papers I decided to get them changed. Takes 2 weeks, knowing how things in Ireland usually will work out it will take 4 weeks and none of the numbers will match.

Ken, looking at your spreadsheet from your Africa trip I have to say you seem way more organized then me. Hopefully I'll make it down to the DCC before I leave.
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  #11  
Old 3 Mar 2009
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Hi, we leave on May 24th. Our schedule is on here somewhere

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...2009-a-37706-6

There are two of us on 2002 XTs. There are some others going that way too.

What's your route / when do you go?

re the V5 - what is the procedure for getting the engine number changed?

Cheers,
Al
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  #12  
Old 11 Apr 2009
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You can change the V5 easily. Just cross the mistake out and write the correction along side. Sign and date at the bottom and then send it off. If you feel it needs an explanation include a covering letter. They will have the new, V5 out to you within a couple of weeks.

I had to change mine, they had it down as a bmw r80gs when really its a bmw r100gs.
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