NYC traffic Tickets-

[He Man]

it's a myth that they cannot remove the cover.

PD can "reasonably" move any cover or obscuring item if it is to check tags or VIN. 

i am not sure what the procedure is for covers that are locked down, like those that have a chain "draw string" in the bottom. 

Myth busted! i guess the cover is useless then. i only have a snap-lock on mine. :/ I have heard people putting a Vin number like code on other parts of their bike. But i think for anyone who knows, the vin number is always at the head tube. How illegal would it be if i took putty to it and masked it?

[ducatiz]

Myth busted! i guess the cover is useless then. i only have a snap-lock on mine. :/ I have heard people putting a Vin number like code on other parts of their bike. But i think for anyone who knows, the vin number is always at the head tube. How illegal would it be if i took putty to it and masked it?

§ 170.65, Class E felony, 1-5 years.

There is no law against making it "hard" to see the original location of the VIN (the tube), which is a hard location to access which is why almost all bike makers put a sticker on the side.

That sticker is legally nothing.  You can put anything there.

[Airborne]

I'd also suggest getting a cover and figuring out how to run one of those portable cable locks around it to make it too annoying to remove. I think thats the best idea.

[He Man]

BTW: Florida License plates are bigger than NYC plates. you have to mod them, and dont forget to redo youre safety inspection and have it somewhere less visable.