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Post by jenniewren on Feb 7, 2011 11:08:04 GMT 10
After lamenting for ages I could not find a chassis # on the vv...decided on the w/end that perhaps I should start wire brushing the chassis! That is a revolting, dirty, hard yakka job that will not be perfect but close! Worse than pulling up & chipping fluffy carpet & tiles from the floor! Wellll... actually polishing the alum around the stove was worse...however, managed to take the spare wheel off that I can tell you was stuck fast with the biggest rusted on wing nut ever! Basically on my belly scrubbing, choking on rust dust & forever wary of spiders (hate them) I scrubbed under one of the strut things and actually had to look twice....there under the dirt/rust was a #! Now, it is not your usual nice pretty stamped official # but am assuming it was enough to have the vv registered. It has been welded onto the inside strut & hidden from view especially when the spare was on! 565 quite large & very well done! What I am wondering, can I use this # to register do you think or is that pushing it a little for the officialdom to actually get on his/her knees to sight it?  Could be amusing watching on... ;D ;DI am convinced the vv is a Franklin but I can't get a proper shot to take photo until it is towed from it's position! There is also BHP WA on the strut. Guess that just means thats where the steel came from to make chassis!? Any comments/thoughts/all over it? I am getting that way.....so close to completion it's annoying! Cheers Jennie |
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Post by jenniewren on Feb 9, 2011 20:14:14 GMT 10
Soooooooo....no-one knows if welded 3 digit numbers is still ok for registration? Even if it is in a difficult hiding place where the spare wheel needs to be taken off and crawling on all fours to view by an officialdom?  Annnnnnnnnnd.....could "sassy-gabby" chassis number 565 mean it is an early FRANKLIN I have been laboring over??? Where are you almighty Franklin1 I am sure you would know. You just know these things!.............don't let me down now!!!! |
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Post by Geoff & Jude on Feb 9, 2011 20:45:07 GMT 10
hi jenniewren
we got our van through rego with an original welded number 80 on the chassis.
that was in sydney, so you might be alright with yours.
geoff 'n jude
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jodel1050
Junior Member
A Van called Wanda
Posts: 76
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Post by jodel1050 on Feb 9, 2011 21:06:40 GMT 10
Hi jenniewren,
Well the guy that bent the truth by at least 4 years and sold us our 1959 registered Franklin 15ft S/N 965C used the 3 digits plus the "C" for CHEAT. Seems franklin 1 may have nailed our year to 1963 due to the "C", but then our van has a "WANDA" logo so maybe not a Franklin at all. So yes, it seems you can use the welded numbers as a rego thingo. Nice looking van you have there.
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Post by seeshell on Feb 9, 2011 21:34:51 GMT 10
Hi there Speaking for VICROADS here - I've been on and off the phone with them, and at least here, you DO use the numbers on the bar, no matter what they are. They must have a national registration system/x-ref, because when I rang up to get a temp permit for the 69 Olympic Riviera with the # from the drawbar registered last in QLD, they already knew the van and it's TARE (bonus, I don't have to go to the weighbridge before heading out to register the van since it is on file). If the van doesn't have a number on the bar, they will (again, this is for VIC) give you a number that begins with R and you have to have it stamped on your drawbar before rego. That becomes it's "new" number. I guess this would be for homemade vans or vans where perhaps the original drawbar has been replaced? As for crawling under the van - take a photo of the number, and I reckon they will take your word for it.  Only requirements here for rego are running lights, "roadworthiness" which I am given to understand depends very much on who you get and how hot it is outside/how bored/busy they are, and things like elec brakes, safe wheels, etc. It's really basic - I really expected more requirements. That said, hope I haven't jinxed myself now! Cheers Seeshell |
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Post by Franklin1 on Feb 9, 2011 23:36:03 GMT 10
G'day Jennie, I'm still around, but I'm up to my neck trying to track down stoopid Timken bearings, and stoopid SKF bearings, for a stoopid Newcastle caravan that some stoopid idiot decided would be a great idea to restore!  With regards to your "chassis number", I seem to remember that recently somebody (can't remember who, for the life of me) on this forum had a number on their van but couldn't use it because it was already in the system from more than one other vehicle. Whoever it was will read this and put their hand up. I guess if your number's not taken by anyone else then you should be right to use it. It does seem a bit odd that someone would weld a number in the position you describe. If you have to get into yoga position #43 to read it, imagine what the welder would have had to do to put it there!  Looking at the photos of your van in the other thread, it does look a lot like the Franklin shape from that era. The patterned ceiling in your van was used in the early Franklins, if that's any consolation. Next time you're passing by another old Franklin, duck inside and pinch their little shelf from above the sink. Whack it in your van and you'll get a certificate of Franklin authenticity in the mail! ;D ;D cheers, Al. |
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Post by sportsman 1 on Feb 10, 2011 7:38:32 GMT 10
Hi all, dont want to shoot you down in flames seeshell but that isn't always the case. I am the member mentioned by Al in the reply above. I recently registered the 1955 Clipper here in Vic and although it had the number 369 clearly welded on the drawbar they would not register it with that number as they already had some other trailers, etc registered with that chassis number. He showed me the list which had about 8 vehicles on it. Even pleading the case for originality for a restored vintage caravan against the other "modern" things and the fact that the Clipper predated all the others by some 20 years they still insisted that I have a modern 10 digit monstrosity so that the "system" would not get confusing? ??. By the way Al, if you need bearings let me know what you are chasing, I have a supplier just up the road from here that is a wizz with odd stuff. Oh, and by the way it is stupid, not stoopid. Cheers, Leigh. |
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Post by seeshell on Feb 10, 2011 8:20:38 GMT 10
Hi there I actually think we are in violent agreement. As I say in my case there was noone else using the # on my drawbar and their preference was to use that number - I can imagine that there have been many numbering systems for old vans which would result in overlapping numbers which mean you may not be able to. What I wanted to make clear was that you can call the road authority first (either if you are getting a permit or whatever) and find out if you can use the number or if you need a new R one (or whatever the method is for your relevant state). They will tell you right there on the phone if it's already taken - their preference IS to use the one on the bar if they can, unless, like in your case there was a reason why not. But you don't have to wait until you get to trying to register it to find that out and go home disappointed. As for arguing the point with them, they're the ones with the licence plates, so we don't have too many bargaining chips hey? Cheers Seeshell |
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Post by Franklin1 on Feb 10, 2011 9:21:39 GMT 10
G'day Leigh (sportsman 1), I had a hunch it was you I was thinking about with the number, but I couldn't find the thread with the information. Interesting point you make with the word "stupid". My cheap Asian keyboard has the English accent built into it, so 'stupid' becomes 'stoopid' (pronounced as in "look"). It's the same when I hit my thumb with the hammer, and dance around for a while going "fookin' hell!!" And don't mention the word "bearings" to me ever again. I'm in therapy now, and I don't want any relapses.  cheers, Al. |
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Post by jenniewren on Feb 10, 2011 10:06:20 GMT 10
Crikey.......! Thank you for your input everyone.
a) Al...you just never let us down....hope you find those stoopid bearings to repair that stoopid newcastle....I have called my vv more than that in the last few months....you r a gentleman! U are right with the welding of numbers in a difficult place. Very neat job I have to say. Just a ridiculous place to put it. Must have been over a pit or hoist. No-one in their right mind would crawl under to do it! But do I still NEED a year of manufacture/what it is for rego and I would like to insure it once registered... don't I? I am assuming I can't just rock up & say..."It's an old van..."
b) A shelf eh? That is all it will take to have an identity? Done...shall whack one in....when I have successfully nicked one! Orrrr...can I... make one or put in an old shelf I may just find?
c) The lights at the top on each side of van need to be working for rego? The rubber surrounds are really perished, but I would like to keep them original. Can you still obtain the rubber surrounds? Been to a several places...but..nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
d) Will DEFINITELY call Vic Roads before I go....good idea..anyone know the waiting list to register...you have to pre book don't you? Never rego'd anything before.
e) Batter eyelids & smile a lot! Offer a cushion when they have to kneel in yoga position...what was it Al? #43?
See how we go......thanks everyone. J
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Post by jenniewren on Feb 10, 2011 10:11:51 GMT 10
PS: Leigh....I think I would have "quietly" argued the point also regarding keeping the old number as opposed to stamping in a 10 digit # I really hope to keep our 3 digit if I can......these vans become quite a personal attachment after working on them for so long! But in the end I guess, as Seeshells commented, they hold those damn plates........Grrrrrrr J
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Post by jenniewren on Feb 10, 2011 10:14:52 GMT 10
Did I just say Al...you sounded like a gentleman? ? |
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Post by seeshell on Feb 10, 2011 10:55:26 GMT 10
Hi Jenni About the seals for your running lights - I had a similar issue in that everything seems to be LED and they carry less and less of the old stuff. I tried a local truck supplier place and a very nice man helped me find what I needed which I couldn't get at Carac/CAMEC or anywhere else (including new lenses to replace cloudy ones). Heaps of catalogues to look through to find what will suit your van - maybe bring the lenses with you if you go. Also in relation to registering, I was told by the gent at VicRoads that apart from the standard orange/amber front markers, red to the back (or red/orange with the red to the back), you are now required to have white on the front. This has something to do with the ADR which you can read on the www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb1/vsb_01_b.aspx#22 link. Now my van never had white on the front at all when built, but I'm told that double side tape and two white retro reflectors will get you over the line (no need to wire in lights where they didn't exist before). I see plenty of old vans that don't have front white reflectors or lights - I gather at some point in the past it wasn't a requirement (or maybe Mr VicRoads is just being a nazi and nobody will really care). I'm going to stick them on, and take them off later - shh don't tell! When you look at the ADR too it requires an extinguisher and possibly a fire blanket - can't recall. Best to have everything they say you need and be on the safe side hey. Best of luck on the hunt and with the rego - Cheers Seeshell |
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Post by seeshell on Feb 10, 2011 11:07:55 GMT 10
Oh forgot one thing - You have to call for an appointment (which I think costs about $40), but depending where you are Warragul is a good place to go - you can get appointments much more easily than say Dandenong where the wait can be 2 weeks. So try a more out of the way place - again when you ring VICROADS they will tell you the centres nearest you that do the inspections (they don't all do them) and suggest to you which one has appointments sooner. If your van had a TARE on file and you've done modifications to the van (we have added new axle and stuff on undercarriage which will change the weight) you can get the TARE on file changed or updated. A. get a cert from a weighbridge to take with you to your appointment, b. ensure that you have a certificate to say the changes are safe (engineers cert or something - don't know, we sent it away to be done) and c. fill out the change of vehicle details form www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/E6CD57B3-83E3-49F7-8AA4-85FC8AA6727F/0/ChangeofVehicleDetailsform052010.pdf. If your van hasn't been registered before or they can't tie it back to some number on file (so there is no TARE on file) you have to make sure to a. go to a weighbrige and get a TARE cert before you go to the inspection appointment b. make sure your new issued number (if they can't use what you have) is stamped/welded on the drawbar - presumably in a way that doesn't require Ienga yoga. And that completely exhausts my thimble full of knowledge of fishing around the details to get my own van rego'ed - over to the experts! Cheers Seeshell |
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Post by Franklin1 on Feb 10, 2011 11:35:11 GMT 10
G'day Jennie, Nah, "gentlemen" don't dance around screaming "fookin' hell!!" when they whack their thumb with a hammer. Gentlemen just kinda pucker their lips and say "Gosh!!" when they do stoopid (see, Leigh?!) things like that. Just put me in the ordinary "d*ckheads" category. Gees, Jennie, stop trying to fudge the Franklin system! Ya can't just put any shelf in there. It has to be a genuine Franklin design, and installed by people who have sworn allegiance to the Franklin oath..."Franklins shall grow not old, unlike those Dons that are left grow old..." Are you familiar with that auction website that we can't talk about? If so, click on this item Hella light, and if you think it would suit your requirements, get in touch with the seller and negotiate to buy two of them. You can check out more about these lights at this Hella linkcheers, Al. |
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Post by sportsman 1 on Feb 10, 2011 12:34:16 GMT 10
Jennie,
P M sent.
Leigh.
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Post by jenniewren on Feb 10, 2011 13:09:37 GMT 10
Thanks guys...and you are a GENTLEMAN Al to put up with all these inane questions I keep throwing at you! As for fudging for a FRANKLIN certificate...course I am....(eyelids are batting like crazy!) You sure I can't whack in a look-a-like shelf? I will look at said site we cannot name....Geez you guys make things difficult to put a name on said van...what the HELL is it...guess I will have to rename it..."CLAYTON"...you know...the FRANKLIN you have but it may not be! And GURU of F's......do I HAVE TO know what year etc it is to register? ? I don't want to ring, book, turn up & they ask me "So ma'am what is it".......batting of eyelids may not work if I get a female stern official....could look like a "d#@*head" also! My reputation as being a slightly intelligent female could be on the line here. Seeshells - there is a fire extinguisher but I am guessing 1993 last check will not pass inspection so may have to look into new one & fire blanket...thank you for all your info - sounds simple enough. There are already white round reflector lights at the front as it has been registered before so maybe it is already on "file". Just wasn't too sure if I had to have the above lights working as well! Their kinda cute if lights can be called cute........J |
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Post by sportsman 1 on Feb 10, 2011 14:30:23 GMT 10
Jennie,
did you realise that by asking all those inane, silly, girlie, female type questions (which by the way we love) you have just reached full membership and clocked up 100 posts.
Congrats and keep it up. Thats what we are here for I guess.
Cheers, leigh.
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Post by Franklin1 on Feb 10, 2011 16:12:43 GMT 10
G'day Jennie, If the combined knowledge of this forum can't accurately identify your van, then whatever you tell the rego authorities will be the "truth" as we know it. Make: FRANKLIN Year: 1960 Weight: ummm... ------------------------------------ Sadly, there are some things that just can't be compromised, and the Franklin shelf is one of them. It's a significant item that gives Franklins their identity from those early years. Yes, you can make a shelf that looks like a Franklin shelf, but can you reproduce the single triangle bracket that supported it underneath?? Nah, there has to be something left for you to strive towards, and that something is to find a genuine shelf out of a Franklin that's being demolished. Ask any of the Don owners if they'd happily put a laundry tub in where the genuine Don washbasin goes. And then use your First Aid skills to try and revive them. I'm not a stickler for everything being original in these vintage vans, but there are some things that are worth the effort to find. Otherwise you end up at a vintage gathering and the other Franklin owners will whisper, "There she is...the one with the [nudge, nudge, wink, wink] 'authentic' Franklin shelf." And then they'll collapse in a heap giggling until they wet themselves. Congrats on reaching 100 posts! ;D ;D It's been great fun chatting with you along the way! cheers, Al. |
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Post by jenniewren on Feb 10, 2011 17:51:02 GMT 10
Hee hee hee! Aaaaaaaaaal...now really...fudging?...me?....surely not! BUT are you sure I can't whack in an old shelf...it would be installed correctly...drill, scewdriver, nice old rusted screws.. by me who has sworn the oath...I have...I swear! Know it off by heart. Eyelids are batting profoundly Al! Geez what does it take to confirm I have an old VINTAGE FRANKLIN! Thanks for the link to Hella on that site we can't name, but I think I did in a recent post...oops! Will have a look now. Would love to keep the old lights...so will keep chasing. Or use some elec tape to disguise it. Is that called fudging also Al?
Thanks Seeshells...lordy, lordy, lordy, for all that info. You should have no prob's with your rego. I on the other hand need to acquire a new extinguisher & fire blanket by the sounds of it. There is one there but last checked in 1983! There are white reflector lights on the front already. The van was registered back in the 90's sooooooo maybe they have it on file. Thanks again everyone....hopefully the orig numbers won't be too much of an issue! Even when it is in a difficult viewing position. Cheers everyone J
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Post by jenniewren on Feb 10, 2011 19:08:37 GMT 10
Crikey...again...100 posts eh? That either means, I have achieved a batting century of knowledgeable stuff roaming around in my brain I wish to impart to you all or all my questions contributing to that milestone means I too AM stoopid! Ha well the shelf is a dilemma it seems. Watch out anyone who has a FRANKLIN when I eventually come across a member to this forum, would not let me in the door of your van if I was you! I am sure Al I could knock up a piece of triangular wood for support. There is this nice new christmas pressie given to the boy that resembles...yep..a drop saw thing on a stand! I am positive I could switch it on....Guess no-one out there has a spare shelf so Al can confirm for me. Glad I keep you entertained...I obviously scourge this site way to often! Thanks Al & Leigh really for all your advice & help...this is not the last you will hear from me...oh no it's not! When I nick that shelf, I will need you guys to tell me exactly what height to put it above the sink! J
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Could be amusing watching on... ;D ;DI am convinced the vv is a Franklin but I can't get a proper shot to take photo until it is towed from it's position! There is also BHP WA on the strut. Guess that just means thats where the steel came from to make chassis!? Any comments/thoughts/all over it? I am getting that way.....so close to completion it's annoying! Cheers Jennie
Annnnnnnnnnd.....could "sassy-gabby" chassis number 565 mean it is an early FRANKLIN I have been laboring over??? Where are you almighty Franklin1 I am sure you would know. You just know these things!.............don't let me down now!!!! 
