Ernie; Many states purge that information from their systems after a decade or more, especially if the registration is not renewed. If the bike was indeed a U.S. import bike, the serial number plate will say "Rockford Motors, or Rockford Scooter Co. on the bottom. If it was not, that area will be blank. The other problem with proofing that nomenclature is that the bike might have been titled, and then registered, by either the serial number, or the frame number. In the U.S., it can appear either way depending on what the DMV office does as a procedure. Most bikes only have a frame number, so it gets Titled using those numbers of course. Without any documentation or provenance, I'm not sure how you're going to get your registration accomplished unless they have a provision for rebuilt totals or custom builds. Your other option would be to have someone here in the U.S. apply for a Vermont registration for you, then transfer that registration to you as a sale. Vermont does not recognize Titles for older bikes, and will issue you a plate and registration, which can then later be presented for a Title in states requiring one. This would at least give you an ownership document. I personally have 3 vintage bikes with Vermont plates. Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress. Feel free to PM or email me if you need more info or help.
