Topic: Bike's finally here, but...

[Nayl]

So the CB750 F1 that I bought on EBay got delivered today -http://www.ebay.com/itm/1976-Honda-CB750-Super-Sport-/151350963980?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2047675.l2557&nma=true&si=8fKBYevdzxBtJvqX2aWhPZIOu%252Fg%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
and it looks pretty much as advertised, though that tank has a fair amount of rust on the inside, and the start button doesn't. 

Minor stuff, I'm sure, the tank can be cleaned and the start issue is likely a fuse or solenoid issue - electrics work, but pushing the start button with the clutch pulled in, the neutral light on and the switch turned to run produces exactly nothing, not  even a click.  The engine will turn over using the kick starter, have to put some gas in the tank before I can try that route.  Some detective work to come.

Whats more concerning is the title.  Its been ages since I bought any motor vehicle used, and this is the very first thing I've bought via Ebay from someone I've never met.  As it turns out, what I wound up with from the seller in Tennessee is a title from New Jersey signed by (presumably) the guy he bought it from. The title is signed by that guy on the seller line.  I'm in New York, and a quick reading of the DMV site is giving me heartburn, since it refers to things like a signed Bill of Sale from the person who signed the Title.  Closest thing Ive got is a Paypal Invoice with no signature to a different person.  Am I fubar, or is there some simple routine end around to this situation? 

[Stev-o]

Ifirst off, congrats, looks like a nice bike.

I'd be a little pissed, the listing is full of lies. "starts right up and runs", "everything works as it should"  and no rust in tank" are out right lies, contact eBay immediately and open a case that the item is not as described, put all this info in the case. 
If he is a stand up seller, he may offer a partial refund, you may want to get a written estimate for repairs. 

Not of this is major, check your battery, should be 12+ volts.  If not, charge it with a low amp charger.  Then, jump the solenoid with a screwdriver. The starter button on the R control may be bad?

Good look and keep us posted.

[goldarrow]

+1 about getting in touch with the seller and eBay. 

But I wouldn't touch it attempt to start the bike, leave it as is and as delivered until you have worked out with the seller.

[Stev-o]

He's already attempted start up, Gold.  I would want to start it to find out what other issues there may be and report those to eBay as well.   

[Powderman]

He's already attempted start up, Gold.  I would want to start it to find out what other issues there may be and report those to eBay as well.   

How did you determine he has already tried to start it when all he said was he kicked it over and he hasn't put any gas in it yet. Last time I checked they are #$%* to get started with no fuel in them.

[Nayl]

Thanks for the timely replies, as it happens a minimum of fiddling has resolved the start and gas tank issues.  I bought this bike because my gut (and various objective data) told me the seller was trustworthy.  And I think he is.  The failure to start had me doubting this, but I thought about what might be wrong and one thing that occurred to me was this - the bike was just transported 700 miles on an open flatbed trailer with its side covers removed, leaving the central ganglia of the wiring harness exposed to a lot of wind.  I went back out to  the barn and it took me about 30 seconds to find a connector that had come loose connecting a green wire right in the middle of that area.

Wiring replugged, she started on the first stab, and sounded wooooonderful.  Even settled right into a nice steady idle just above 1k.  I have no clue about the MAC 4 into1 on this bike in terms of performance, but the noise it makes is pure music. 

Powderman - I was wrong about it having no gas, there is some, I had just assumed the tank was empty when I couldn't see gas covering the middle of the inside of the tank.  And I did start out by pushing the start button, just got no action from it.

As to the tank, I took another, closer look with a much bigger flashlight, and found that what I had taken for heavy rust right below the filler hole was actually some kind of coating - its red, shiny and translucent.  There's clearly some rust visible beneath the coating, but I think what the seller actually stated, which is that the tank is in good shape inside and out, is arguably true, providing this liner doesn't start disintegrating.  Oh, and I will post photos of all this once I research just how to do it on this forum.

So now I'm left with the nagging title issue.  Going to hit the DMV tomorrow in person with my available documentation and see just how big a pain in the ass this is going to be.

[Powderman]

See if the seller has contact info from who he bought it from. It may be as simple as having the PO write a bill of sale for you to ease registration in your state. Just explain the situation to the PO and I'm sure he will understand. Other wise you may have to have the seller actually title in his name and then sign that title over to you, very time consuming. Here in Ga. I can write my own bill of sale for my purchase and DMV doesn't require anything more for vehicles over 25 years old.

[Dr. Noisewater]

All I got with my bike was a title signed by the previous, previous owner that was dated 1987. It was out of the dmv database so they didn't really care. I had to write a little note saying I lost the bill of sale but it was very quick and easy. I'm in Utah so laws may be a little different. When was your bike last registered?

[Rookster]

The easiest way is to type out a receipt from the guy who's signature is on the title.  Don't forge his signature but just type his name as if you bought it from him over the internet.  Then just go and title it.

Scott

[ekpent]

Yep it may be as easy as just kind of making your own "bill of sale" if you absolutely need one   --wink wink   

[KJ790]

I've been in the same situation with the title a few times with old bikes, never had a problem. I just don't mention that I don't have a bill of sale or anything. With old bikes that are cheap the DMV doesn't worry too much. Sometimes they just take my word for what I paid, but sometimes they made me pay the tax on the NADA value (which was still peanuts on a 35 year old bike). Just sign the buyer line, go in and hand it to them. If they ask for a bill of sale just say you don't have one and they will either just ask you what you paid or they will look up the value in the NADA book and you will be on your way.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I'd bet that if you do have to have a bill of sale the guy will send you one. Simple and only costs 1 stamp.

[Nayl]

I've been in the same situation with the title a few times with old bikes, never had a problem. I just don't mention that I don't have a bill of sale or anything. With old bikes that are cheap the DMV doesn't worry too much. Sometimes they just take my word for what I paid, but sometimes they made me pay the tax on the NADA value (which was still peanuts on a 35 year old bike). Just sign the buyer line, go in and hand it to them. If they ask for a bill of sale just say you don't have one and they will either just ask you what you paid or they will look up the value in the NADA book and you will be on your way.

Yup.

I spent most of today getting this nonsense sorted.  There are two DMV offices near me.  One is a tiny satellite office in a nearby rural town.  I went there first and did exactly the wrong thing, which was to show them the invoice and explain to them what I thought the problem would be.  They looked puzzled at first, then they hauled out a huge book and, after a few minutes of whispered consultation, informed me that all I could do was mail the title back to the seller so he could use it to get a title in his name, and then send that to me.  I tried pointing out what a ludicrous proposition this was, but having consulted the BOOK they were now immovable. 

So I came home and stewed about it a bit, and read the post above, and remembered something I learned at a very early age - its better to ask forgiveness than permission.  Then I set off for the other office, which is a main office and a much more organized affair, and shambled up to the counter with the title and did my best Forest Gump imitation - short words, nothing outside the tiny box of "make me new title please." No questions, no fuss, no muss.  It did take an hour because its incredibly busy, but the assembly line quality of it did nothing but help my cause - the ladies behind the counter knew exactly the fastest way to get me done, and it did not include asking me for more documents or details.

Now I can relax and start working on cleaning/restoring/upgrading the bike.

Woot!

[Stev-o]

He's already attempted start up, Gold.  I would want to start it to find out what other issues there may be and report those to eBay as well.   

How did you determine he has already tried to start it when all he said was he kicked it over and he hasn't put any gas in it yet. Last time I checked they are #$%* to get started with no fuel in them.

From what he typed:

"And I did start out by pushing the start button, just got no action from it."


Glad to hear it all worked out for you Nayl.

[KJ790]

I've been in the same situation with the title a few times with old bikes, never had a problem. I just don't mention that I don't have a bill of sale or anything. With old bikes that are cheap the DMV doesn't worry too much. Sometimes they just take my word for what I paid, but sometimes they made me pay the tax on the NADA value (which was still peanuts on a 35 year old bike). Just sign the buyer line, go in and hand it to them. If they ask for a bill of sale just say you don't have one and they will either just ask you what you paid or they will look up the value in the NADA book and you will be on your way.

Yup.

I spent most of today getting this nonsense sorted.  There are two DMV offices near me.  One is a tiny satellite office in a nearby rural town.  I went there first and did exactly the wrong thing, which was to show them the invoice and explain to them what I thought the problem would be.  They looked puzzled at first, then they hauled out a huge book and, after a few minutes of whispered consultation, informed me that all I could do was mail the title back to the seller so he could use it to get a title in his name, and then send that to me.  I tried pointing out what a ludicrous proposition this was, but having consulted the BOOK they were now immovable. 

So I came home and stewed about it a bit, and read the post above, and remembered something I learned at a very early age - its better to ask forgiveness than permission.  Then I set off for the other office, which is a main office and a much more organized affair, and shambled up to the counter with the title and did my best Forest Gump imitation - short words, nothing outside the tiny box of "make me new title please." No questions, no fuss, no muss.  It did take an hour because its incredibly busy, but the assembly line quality of it did nothing but help my cause - the ladies behind the counter knew exactly the fastest way to get me done, and it did not include asking me for more documents or details.

Now I can relax and start working on cleaning/restoring/upgrading the bike.

Woot!

Glad you got it sorted out. One thing I have learned about the DMV over the years, the less information you volunteer, the smoother your transaction will be. They will ask you for anything they really need, any additional information just tends to throw a wrench in the gears.

[lucky]

If you live in California and you buy an "out of state bike" the penalty fee is around $400.00

[Don R]

In some states a private title service can be of more help than the DMV. A buddy of mine was a repo man, he said a few times the title service guy told him what was needed, he went out to the truck and found (wrote) it. Done deal.

[Don R]

Now check it out. twice, then go ride it. Then report back.