Topic: Buyer 'lost title.'.. 3yrs. later ! What would you do ?

[Spanner 1]

So a guy I sold a DOHC 750 to about 3 yrs. ago called me up and said 'Oh, I lost the title and never regd. the bike , can you get a new title for me '   ( i.e., title still in my name 3 yrs. later ! )...
What would you do  ?

[BobbyR]

You can be a nice guy and apply for a new title at his expense, or ...........................

[Greggo]

So a guy I sold a DOHC 750 to about 3 yrs. ago called me up and said 'Oh, I lost the title and never regd. the bike , can you get a new title for me '   ( i.e., title still in my name 3 yrs. later ! )...
What would you do  ?

This is why California titles have a 'tear-off' portion that sellers keep, to prove 'release of liability.'  If that bike had racked up fees/tickets/whatever, YOU would now be responsible for that trouble...details matter.

Hard to offer advice without knowing the fineprint in TN's laws.  Hopefully you won't be liable for any problems.

[Spanner 1]

It's been  3 years, can't believe it hasn't been ridden on the road since then ... the bike was in PWO when he bought it... what's the dangers for me trying to get a new titlle ??
What if he was renewing the reg. every year in my name somehow ?

[Greggo]

It's been  3 years, can't believe it hasn't been ridden on the road since then ... the bike was in PWO when he bought it... what's the dangers for me trying to get a new titlle ??
What if he was renewing the reg. every year in my name somehow ?

My bet is that he let the reg lapse, and YOU now owe back fees...I suggest calling the DMV in the last state it was registered to check that sh1t.

[Stev-o]

Tell him you'll do it but for a fee, say $50?

Greggo - unlike Cali, most states do not have back fees for not registering. In TX, there is just a small fee if not registered within 30 days of purchase.

[jamesb]

you could do it out of the kindness of your heartbut make him go with you to cover any cost.here in Shawnee county Kansas they charge you by the month if you do not renew your tags unless it has been sold.if he agrees to go with you when you get the paper work tell the cashier your going to sign it over to him.then you know it's his problem from there on.i sold a cb350 the guy never tagged it they said i owed back taxes on it. wasn't going to give me my tags for all my vehicles had to go all the way back home found the bill of sale took it back up there and finally got it straightend out.the county i live in really sucks

[BeSeeingYou]

So you would have to apply for a duplicate title in your name and then assume he will transfer it to his name?  Didn't do it 3 years ago what's to say he would do it this time.  This whole thing stinks and for the last three years you have had legal obligations you didn't even know about.  I would need a very detailed explanation about this whole thing and proof of the condition and custody of the bike.  He needs to cough up a fee too...for three years you have been it legal jeopardy if there had been an accident. 

Or if you want the bike back you could report it stolen. 

[Spanner 1]

I don't know the whereabouts or condition of the bike... guys a truck driver and has had several addresses over the last few years.... hey, if it was like 3 months later or something maybe, but 3 years !
When you sell a bike in TN you just sign off on the back of the title and thats it. But if the new owner never regs. the bike the DMV still lists you as the owner. The bike may be out of state now and may have changed hands already, who knows !.... kinda scary for me to 'claim' ownership again , yeah ?

[78 k550]

So I would go get the bike back. Not sure if that could happen.
It probably still in your name. Unless he is selling it and cant find the title. If it was in his name he then could file for a lost title.
I would be hesitant.
Unless he want to pay you for your time and gets everything done in an afternoon with you be his side. Any thing goes wrong you keep the money for your time.

Paul

[Greggo]

I don't know the whereabouts or condition of the bike... guys a truck driver and has had several addresses over the last few years.... hey, if it was like 3 months later or something maybe, but 3 years !
When you sell a bike in TN you just sign off on the back of the title and thats it. But if the new owner never regs. the bike the DMV still lists you as the owner. The bike may be out of state now and may have changed hands already, who knows !.... kinda scary for me to 'claim' ownership again , yeah ?

Yeah.  Try to contact the DMV in the last state of registration (should be fun, huh).  They'll be able to tell you the SOP in this situation..you can be sure some other deadbeat has done the same thing in the past.

[BeSeeingYou]

Unless he can provide a reasonable explanation for this with proof of custody I would take a hardline with him.  I am assuming you are still the owner of record in your state so maybe the local DMV can give you some guidance.

[Spanner 1]

Yeah, a call to the DMV tomorrow will be made !.... again, I can't believe that bike in excellent condition has not been ridden on the road for a considerable part of the last 3 years. 'Prolly with a plate/tags off some other bike. Maybe he wrecked it with legal trouble and wants to show I'm the owner with a crisp new title from me !!