Author Topic: Bike Title Thread (Read 17726 times)

egar · « **Reply #75 on:** May 02, 2006, 09:18:57 AM »

I know the rules are different depending on which state you live in ( I live in a psychedelic state, ha ha.) I'm bidding on a 550 on Ebay but the bike has no title. Is it possible to obtain one. I checked on the Fla. state o motor vehicle directory and it appear that you can fill out a lost or missing title form to possibly get a new one issued. I'd like to build a cafe bike out of the bike I'm bidding on. That way I'll have my original looing 550 and a cafe version of the same year and model bike....

dusterdude · « **Reply #76 on:** May 02, 2006, 09:22:53 AM »

i would first take the vin to your dmv office and tell them you are thinking about buying it and want to find out what the title issue is,if it isnt hot,ask them for the forms to apply for a title or try one of the title services that im sure someone on here will tell you about.good luck

egar · « **Reply #77 on:** May 02, 2006, 09:28:30 AM »

Sounds like a plan. The bike is on ebay and is listed as a parts bike under "parts" instead of bikes. From the photos it looks like its all there, plus I already have a lot of extra stuff. Looks like a fun project bike to take down to the frame.

byidesign · « **Reply #78 on:** May 02, 2006, 10:53:02 AM »

If you are going to do that , you
will have time to get a new title,
it may cost you a bit in some states..
there are title services out there..
Hope it helps
Bruce

crazypj · « **Reply #79 on:** May 02, 2006, 11:20:45 AM »

I'm livingt in Florida and have a couple of bikes with no title.(have recepits though with vin no's) Be very interested to know how you get on with it.
PJ

siter81 · « **Reply #80 on:** May 02, 2006, 01:26:45 PM »

Where in fL are you all located?

Clearwater here.

egar · « **Reply #81 on:** May 02, 2006, 02:43:08 PM »

Palm Bay, which is on the east coast next to Melbourne. The bike in question on ebay is located in Altamonte Springs near Orlando. I'm the high bidder at $50. I figure its worth the money and the trip over in parts unless someone outbids me, which is OK. I bid on a whim.

siter81 · « **Reply #82 on:** May 02, 2006, 05:01:23 PM »

Good luck on the bidding.I am on the west coast.across the bay from tampa.

towerviewchops · « **Reply #83 on:** May 02, 2006, 07:12:20 PM »

I'm in Polk County, middle of the state junction of Hwy 27 and 60. I'm fighting the DMV for a title right now. Just be prepared for a runaround, long story.

I'm trying to title a '74 CT70, given to me by my uncle with no papers. It has been in his family since new, but never titled. They took it straight to the woods rode it for a couple of years and parked it. 30 years later he gave it to me, I put a new carb and throttle and cleaned the points and it ran after 9 kicks, got to love a Honda. Original everything and 1400 miles to boot, but no title.

So I go to the DMV last week to transfer another title and ask what it will take to get a title for the 70. I was given a slip requiring a bill of sale, and an affadavit from the previous owner stating that it was never operated on the highway and was never titled and the MCO is long gone, easily done just cost me $30 worth of gas. Went back yesterday with all requested paperwork, the same woman who told me what was required now says that they do not feel confident with the paperwork supplied that I'm the owner of the motorcycle, and that now I have to have an Confidential VIN Inspection by a DMV inspector, who is never in the office or at least doesn't know how to answer the phone. If I get a pass from the inspector I have more papers to fill out and then I might get a title. If the inspector fails me my only option is submitting the paperwork to a judge and paying court fees for a declatory judgement whether or not I am the owner.

So if I ever get ahold of the inspector and get an inspection I have to hope to pass to get a title. If not I'll go through a title company. I'm sure the $125 or so from International Title Service will be cheaper and easier than doing the court/judge thing.

All I can say is good luck if you don't have a title.

crazypj · « **Reply #84 on:** May 02, 2006, 10:57:52 PM »

Quote from: egar on May 02, 2006, 02:43:08 PM

Palm Bay, which is on the east coast next to Melbourne. The bike in question on ebay is located in Altamonte Springs near Orlando. I'm the high bidder at $50. I figure its worth the money and the trip over in parts unless someone outbids me, which is OK. I bid on a whim.

I'm in Altamonte Springs but its not mine. I could check it out if you get it though
I wouldnt bid against you either (plus my wife would go completely nuts if I bought another bike)
PJ

74cb750 · « **Reply #85 on:** May 03, 2006, 05:16:00 AM »

towerviewchops,
sounds like it might have been easier to just go with a title company.

When I was in Tampa last fall I noticed there were 3 title companies there.
michel

egar · « **Reply #86 on:** May 03, 2006, 02:41:38 PM »

Thanks for all the input. It may save me some headaches. I'm surprised no one else is bidding, though. The bike should be worth more than $50 just for parts.

ElCheapo · « **Reply #87 on:** July 07, 2006, 08:19:36 PM »

We all have bikes in our garages and storage units with out titles. Is there a title service that anyone has used that has worked ok for this? I have never had to do this and have heard repeatedly that guys who have followed our local DMV instructions to get a title and ended up with nothing.

Maybe this information gleened from this could end up in the FAQ section.

Uncle Ernie · « **Reply #88 on:** July 07, 2006, 09:06:30 PM »

I used a title search company once when I lived in CA, but the laws vary from state to state. NC is a bear.

madbunny · « **Reply #89 on:** July 07, 2006, 09:43:53 PM »

well kiddies,
here's how it works in ohio (many of you in the northeast will be appalled):

if it ain't a moped it needs a title.

1. check with your bmv/dmv to be sure there isn't an extent title in your state. the ohio bmv has a convienent free site you can search by vin to see if it's in their system. this won't tell you who owns it, only that someone does when it was titled last, how many miles, etc.

the vin for my bike= cb7502350368

as you can see, as of monday i will have owned my poor anabelle for 10 years.
if your state shows an outstanding title you're screwed. be prepared to face the possibilty you've acquired a legal liability.

2. if your state shows no title you can contact a title service. i used international title service once and had no problems.

3. send the bill of sale along with current address and a check for their fee. (you basically sell them the vehicle and they sell it back to you) in about a week or so they send a bill of sale from a state where they are a licensed dealer.

4. you take this bill of sale to your bmv/dmv for it's out of state inspection. the fuzz looks it over for any tampering with the vin/engine numbers.
if you get a clean bill of health then you get the inspection pass/release and then you're off to go fight with the title department.

5. you show up with your slip from the inspection, your out-of-state bill of sale and gleefully hand it over to the clerk who proceeds to get snarky with you and treat you like a criminal. if all goes well and they manage to find the references in the books as to how to create a title from a bill of sale in maine you get your title and bid a fond farewell to the title depatment.

total cost in the neighborhood of $300 (between title fees and inspection) you milage may vary depending on the age of your bike.

ElCheapo · « **Reply #90 on:** July 07, 2006, 09:56:37 PM »

I found this http://www.getnewtitle.com

?

750goes · « **Reply #91 on:** July 07, 2006, 10:07:31 PM »

Well I guess we should not complain in NSW Australia..

If you have the VIN and Engine Number and Registration Plate - you can do a FREE check on the web to a place called REVS (Register of Encumbered Vehicles) -when you enter the information required it tells whether there are Interested Parties noted on the vehicle records - that's our warning flag that all is not right - unless the seller says - yeah I owe such and such finance company dollars...yeah its stolen... yeah its a rebirth from a wreck etc etc...

You can then pay for a Certificate (about $30-$40) from the REVS site which is government red tape, which confirms your findings and they guarantee title.... if the title is clear.

If there is a warning in the record - do some more research....
You can also check other States in Australia, but some others are not Free..

You still have to pay to transfer the Registration (called Stamp Duty - based on how much they think they can rip you off for on how much you put down the value of the vehicle), plus a fixed flat fee. And then they give you a piece of paper call a registration certificate, which hopefully will last until Registration is due (annual cost). Oh I forgot the Compulsory Third Party Insurance (ambulance chasers clause) -that you must have before you can get a certificate - no green slip, no blue slip, no pink slip(aussie humour only) no ridey bikey.

so simple

Chris Schneiter · « **Reply #92 on:** July 10, 2006, 02:14:15 PM »

When I was 15, I got two Triumph TR10 Station wagons in a junkyard, neither of which had titles (in Michigan). I took parts off one to make the other go. I then had it inspected and was able to apply for a composite title. Since most old bikes have a variety of parts on them, this might work.

jnel500 · « **Reply #93 on:** July 11, 2006, 04:26:44 PM »

I just got my title and plate from International Title about a month ago (5 week turn around). The laws have changed a little. You now need to send them the vin and a bill of sale for the bike from another party to yourself. You don't actually sell them the bike, they are just acting on your behalf to register the bike. You could just have a buddy make up the bill of sale or you can manufacture a person. It costs $100 for title and plate and about $75 for just the title and registration. The one guy I talked to said that if there was a snag with the bike they would probably get in touch with you (assuming you had called "just to see if all paper work was received"). As far as I was concerned, this was much easier than doing all the leg work the DMV wanted from me (not to mention that I received 3 different scenarios from DMV employees).

madbunny · « **Reply #94 on:** July 11, 2006, 10:55:46 PM »

Quote from: jnel500 on July 11, 2006, 04:26:44 PM

I just got my title and plate from International Title about a month ago (5 week turn around). The laws have changed a little. You now need to send them the vin and a bill of sale for the bike from another party to yourself. You don't actually sell them the bike, they are just acting on your behalf to register the bike. You could just have a buddy make up the bill of sale or you can manufacture a person. It costs $100 for title and plate and about $75 for just the title and registration. The one guy I talked to said that if there was a snag with the bike they would probably get in touch with you (assuming you had called "just to see if all paper work was received"). As far as I was concerned, this was much easier than doing all the leg work the DMV wanted from me (not to mention that I received 3 different scenarios from DMV employees).

yeah.
sadly i found the ohio bmv employees completely useless and pretty much bypassed them and went directly to the ohio revised code (digest of ohio state laws).
needless to say they were less than thrilled with my knowledge of how the systme worked and everyone of their attempts to throw a red flag was neatly shut down by producing the appropriate paperwork and an explanation of the pursant revised code.

sample conversation at the bmv:

me: i need to know how many titled vehicles i have in my name.

clerk: you don't know?

me: no, hence the very nature of my inquiry.

(after twenty minutes of searching and having to cut my social security number and address out of every document)

clerk: here. i don't normally work this counter. please don't come back when i am.

ElCheapo · « **Reply #95 on:** July 12, 2006, 06:19:57 AM »

Quote from: jnel500 on July 11, 2006, 04:26:44 PM

I just got my title and plate from International Title about a month ago (5 week turn around). The laws have changed a little. You now need to send them the vin and a bill of sale for the bike from another party to yourself. You don't actually sell them the bike, they are just acting on your behalf to register the bike. You could just have a buddy make up the bill of sale or you can manufacture a person. It costs $100 for title and plate and about $75 for just the title and registration. The one guy I talked to said that if there was a snag with the bike they would probably get in touch with you (assuming you had called "just to see if all paper work was received"). As far as I was concerned, this was much easier than doing all the leg work the DMV wanted from me (not to mention that I received 3 different scenarios from DMV employees).

I will have to try these guys out. I will let you know how this goes and we just may have a "forum" title company to use. With all the bikes we would do maybe we could get a discount?

byidesign · « **Reply #96 on:** July 12, 2006, 06:48:27 AM »

Maybe ,It should be called....
"statejustwantsmybucks.com"
Thats what it is......
{i know some can do better than this...}
Bruce

Lumbee · « **Reply #97 on:** July 12, 2006, 08:15:27 AM »

...I know a couple of guys who have used ITS, and all were pleased with the service to varing degrees. I've heard turn around in as short as 2 weeks, but some (like the above posted) well over a month. I have a bike I'm gonna use them for in the next few months...

ohiocaferacer · « **Reply #98 on:** July 12, 2006, 08:43:16 AM »

Quote from: crowboy on July 07, 2006, 09:43:53 PM

well kiddies,
here's how it works in ohio (many of you in the northeast will be appalled):

if it ain't a moped it needs a title.

1. check with your bmv/dmv to be sure there isn't an extent title in your state. the ohio bmv has a convienent free site you can search by vin to see if it's in their system. this won't tell you who owns it, only that someone does when it was titled last, how many miles, etc.

the vin for my bike= cb7502350368

as you can see, as of monday i will have owned my poor anabelle for 10 years.
if your state shows an outstanding title you're screwed. be prepared to face the possibilty you've acquired a legal liability.

2. if your state shows no title you can contact a title service. i used international title service once and had no problems.

3. send the bill of sale along with current address and a check for their fee. (you basically sell them the vehicle and they sell it back to you) in about a week or so they send a bill of sale from a state where they are a licensed dealer.

4. you take this bill of sale to your bmv/dmv for it's out of state inspection. the fuzz looks it over for any tampering with the vin/engine numbers.
if you get a clean bill of health then you get the inspection pass/release and then you're off to go fight with the title department.

5. you show up with your slip from the inspection, your out-of-state bill of sale and gleefully hand it over to the clerk who proceeds to get snarky with you and treat you like a criminal. if all goes well and they manage to find the references in the books as to how to create a title from a bill of sale in maine you get your title and bid a fond farewell to the title depatment.

total cost in the neighborhood of $300 (between title fees and inspection) you milage may vary depending on the age of your bike.

When was the last time you used the Internation Title Service for an Ohio titel???

I think they changed this a couple years ago...cannot do it anymore??

Another title service I was gonna use....Broadway Title Service has this posted on their website:

"Please be aware that some states have made changes in their motor vehicle registration laws and they have effected our services.

We can only title vehicles that were manufactured in model year 1974 or earlier at this time.
Due to changes in their title laws, we are unable to due titles in the following states. Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Washington under ANY circumstances. Please note, Laws change on a constant basis. So please check with us on any of the states listed. Please call for additional information."

I was in a Ohio BMV title office about 2 months ago(transferring a title on a bike I purchased) and remember seeing a big sign behind the counter....that said something about......"we dont not accept titles issued thru out of state title services".

Just wondering,
Greg

Lumbee · « **Reply #99 on:** July 12, 2006, 08:53:31 AM »

Quote

"we dont not accept titles issued thru out of state title services".

The way ITS works is you (not ITS) have a Maine (the state) title in your name. So its like you moved from Maine to what ever state you are in. I don't see how a state can deny you a title transfer unless they all of a sudden say we just are not going to acceept any titles from the state of Maine any more.

This being said, the DMV can basically do what they want, depending on who is at the counter (and what mode they happend to be in that day) and which way the wind is blowing.

You get a title and tag from ITS. The tag is good for 1 year. Its up to you how soon you want to run down to the DMV and transfer it. When I do mine I'm gonna use my free year to ride around with my Maine tag, then i'll go to my state DMV (Louisisana) and transer it. For sure I'm not in any rush to pay tax on the bike....and for sure I wont' walk up in there saying, "Uh, I got this tag and title through a title service." I'll just give them the paper work and mums the word. If they ask I'll say "I moved from Maine" in my best northern accent.

News:

Author Topic: Bike Title Thread (Read 17726 times)

towerviewchops

ElCheapo

madbunny

ElCheapo

jnel500

madbunny

ElCheapo