Topic: I found the person who still has the title on one of my frames

[SKOL]

I recently purchased a frame for a 1972 cb750 k2. I don't have a need for it currently, but for 20 bucks, I couldn't pass it up. So... after a couple months of digging, and a long awaited response from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles... I finally have the name of the gentleman with whom the frame is still titled to.

Side Note: The frames VIN number has been verified and signed off on by my county sheriff's department as having never been reported stolen.

After some internet digging, using Property Appraiser information for the county the bike was originally titled, I have found the gentleman's address. And some further digging, I have the phone number to what I believe is his Construction Company.

So the question: What would you guys do in this situation to request the transfer of title? Call? Send a letter via mail? Obviously he has long since forgotten about this bike (it hasn't been registered since 2001). I think it's changed hands quite a few times and in the process, the title for some reason didn't come with on one of those exchanges, and since then it has been with who last had it.

He'll probably have to request a new one as I doubt he's held onto a motorcycle title for over 2 decades (titled it in 1996).

What do you guys think?

[flybox1]

Tough one. 
I'd certainly want to find out beforehand, what HE would have to do in his state, to legally get the title transferred to you, and do everything possible on your end, (paperwork, calls, etc.) to make it painless for him, before you call and discuss.

[madmtnmotors]

You are correct in that the best approach would be for the currently titled owner to request a duplicate title. If you offer to cover the fees, I don't think there will be any issues. Then he can just sign the title and send it to you, no notary required for transfer of Florida titles. Title copies used to be as much as $60 but I think they have relented a little and may be back down around $30, I can't remember for sure.

[ekpent]

 I'd probably send a letter with a picture of the frame first so he knows its not some kind of scam if I were to pursue it. Can always make a call later if no response. Chances are he won't want to mess around with it unless he is an understanding current bike owner or collector. Be interesting to see if you two hook up.

[SKOL]

Tough one. 
I'd certainly want to find out beforehand, what HE would have to do in his state, to legally get the title transferred to you, and do everything possible on your end, (paperwork, calls, etc.) to make it painless for him, before you call and discuss.

Luckily he is still in the same State (FL), just on the other side.

[SKOL]

I'd probably send a letter with a picture of the frame first so he knows its not some kind of scam if I were to pursue it. Can always make a call later if no response. Chances are he won't want to mess around with it unless he is an understanding current bike owner or collector. Be interesting to see if you two hook up.

That's a good idea. A random phone call out of the blue would probably be off-putting. I know you seldom hear about situations like this working out, but I'm going to remain optimistic.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I also agree that you should make the process as painless for him as possible, and let him know you ran a check with your local law enforcement when buying the frame.

All that said, I would hold off on installing any components into the frame, as you could possibly end up losing them if he contests ownership.

[SKOL]

I also agree that you should make the process as painless for him as possible, and let him know you ran a check with your local law enforcement when buying the frame.

All that said, I would hold off on installing any components into the frame, as you could possibly end up losing them if he contests ownership.

It's just an extra frame I have (not going to be using it for awhile). If he were to contest ownership though, I don't know if he would win. I have proof of purchase, a VIN verification stating that it has never been reported stolen, ever. I don't know how much it would hold up in court if he tries reporting it stolen after the fact.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I also agree that you should make the process as painless for him as possible, and let him know you ran a check with your local law enforcement when buying the frame.

All that said, I would hold off on installing any components into the frame, as you could possibly end up losing them if he contests ownership.

It's just an extra frame I have (not going to be using it for awhile). If he were to contest ownership though, I don't know if he would win. I have proof of purchase, a VIN verification stating that it has never been reported stolen, ever. I don't know how much it would hold up in court if he tries reporting it stolen after the fact.

DB,

Your proof of purchase and VIN verification would shield you from liability, but this does not prevent the owner from possibly making a claim of ownership. 

I purchased an entire, running CB550 which had no record of being reported stolen, I verified the VIN and engine serial numbers with CHP and obtained a bill of sale.  When I attempted to title the bike, previous owner (before the seller) claimed it was missing/stolen from his bike hoard collection.  I offered to surrender the bike to the police department.  A sympathetic detective explained to the titled owner that police recovery fees would exceed the value of the bike, and the owner ended up signing over title to me.  That said, it could have gone the other way. 

[SKOL]

I also agree that you should make the process as painless for him as possible, and let him know you ran a check with your local law enforcement when buying the frame.

All that said, I would hold off on installing any components into the frame, as you could possibly end up losing them if he contests ownership.

It's just an extra frame I have (not going to be using it for awhile). If he were to contest ownership though, I don't know if he would win. I have proof of purchase, a VIN verification stating that it has never been reported stolen, ever. I don't know how much it would hold up in court if he tries reporting it stolen after the fact.

DB,

Your proof of purchase and VIN verification would shield you from liability, but this does not prevent the owner from possibly making a claim of ownership. 

I purchased an entire, running CB550 which had no record of being reported stolen, I verified the VIN and engine serial numbers with CHP and obtained a bill of sale.  When I attempted to title the bike, previous owner (before the seller) claimed it was missing/stolen from his bike hoard collection.  I offered to surrender the bike to the police department.  A sympathetic detective explained to the titled owner that police recovery fees would exceed the value of the bike, and the owner ended up signing over title to me.  That said, it could have gone the other way.

Hmmm... that's a bummer. Maybe the fact that it is just a frame (no swing arm, triple tree, nothing), would deter him from trying to make a claim as it would probably be more trouble than worth it.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I also agree that you should make the process as painless for him as possible, and let him know you ran a check with your local law enforcement when buying the frame.

All that said, I would hold off on installing any components into the frame, as you could possibly end up losing them if he contests ownership.

It's just an extra frame I have (not going to be using it for awhile). If he were to contest ownership though, I don't know if he would win. I have proof of purchase, a VIN verification stating that it has never been reported stolen, ever. I don't know how much it would hold up in court if he tries reporting it stolen after the fact.

DB,

Your proof of purchase and VIN verification would shield you from liability, but this does not prevent the owner from possibly making a claim of ownership. 

I purchased an entire, running CB550 which had no record of being reported stolen, I verified the VIN and engine serial numbers with CHP and obtained a bill of sale.  When I attempted to title the bike, previous owner (before the seller) claimed it was missing/stolen from his bike hoard collection.  I offered to surrender the bike to the police department.  A sympathetic detective explained to the titled owner that police recovery fees would exceed the value of the bike, and the owner ended up signing over title to me.  That said, it could have gone the other way.

Hmmm... that's a bummer. Maybe the fact that it is just a frame (no swing arm, triple tree, nothing), would deter him from trying to make a claim as it would probably be more trouble than worth it.

Let's hope so, but better to sort this out before you use the frame. 

[SKOL]

I also agree that you should make the process as painless for him as possible, and let him know you ran a check with your local law enforcement when buying the frame.

All that said, I would hold off on installing any components into the frame, as you could possibly end up losing them if he contests ownership.

It's just an extra frame I have (not going to be using it for awhile). If he were to contest ownership though, I don't know if he would win. I have proof of purchase, a VIN verification stating that it has never been reported stolen, ever. I don't know how much it would hold up in court if he tries reporting it stolen after the fact.

DB,

Your proof of purchase and VIN verification would shield you from liability, but this does not prevent the owner from possibly making a claim of ownership. 

I purchased an entire, running CB550 which had no record of being reported stolen, I verified the VIN and engine serial numbers with CHP and obtained a bill of sale.  When I attempted to title the bike, previous owner (before the seller) claimed it was missing/stolen from his bike hoard collection.  I offered to surrender the bike to the police department.  A sympathetic detective explained to the titled owner that police recovery fees would exceed the value of the bike, and the owner ended up signing over title to me.  That said, it could have gone the other way.

Hmmm... that's a bummer. Maybe the fact that it is just a frame (no swing arm, triple tree, nothing), would deter him from trying to make a claim as it would probably be more trouble than worth it.

Let's hope so, but better to sort this out before you use the frame.

Agreed

[Bailgang]

I've got 2 bikes that I've had similar situations except I actually had the titles but they were screwed up in one way or the other and had to do some internet searching to find the last reg owners to get it straightened out. The one owner I was able to call up and then did the rest via mail, the second owner I called as well and then met him at his house to get it sorted out. If you do call then be prepared to answer a lot of questions to assure the person that you're not trying to scam them and as has already been said be prepared to go out of your way to make it as painless for them as possible. The easier you make it for them the more likely they will help out.

[dusterdude]

If he pitches a fit,cut the neck off and give him that

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

[grcamna2]

I sure hope more folks try to save/build-up a bike again like you do even if it's a pain rather than taking them to the crusher;too many 'part-out' dudes that throw good frames away.

[SKOL]

I sure hope more folks try to save/build-up a bike again like you do even if it's a pain rather than taking them to the crusher;too many 'part-out' dudes that throw good frames away.

Yeah, this is a pretty long project that my younger brother and I are working on together. He wants to go to mechanic school when he graduates high school so I figured what better way to learn than build one up from scratch? Engine put together from various parts bought from the old timers shop a town over. Frame from an old guy that just had a bunch of piles of rust sitting in his backyard. It's a frankenstein bike for sure, but we don't care.

[Davez134]

I sure hope more folks try to save/build-up a bike again like you do even if it's a pain rather than taking them to the crusher;too many 'part-out' dudes that throw good frames away.

Yeah, this is a pretty long project that my younger brother and I are working on together. He wants to go to mechanic school when he graduates high school so I figured what better way to learn than build one up from scratch? Engine put together from various parts bought from the old timers shop a town over. Frame from an old guy that just had a bunch of piles of rust sitting in his backyard. It's a frankenstein bike for sure, but we don't care.

Nice! A K2 started from scratch, put together from other parts bikes... I like it, but feel I could be biased

[SKOL]

I sure hope more folks try to save/build-up a bike again like you do even if it's a pain rather than taking them to the crusher;too many 'part-out' dudes that throw good frames away.

Yeah, this is a pretty long project that my younger brother and I are working on together. He wants to go to mechanic school when he graduates high school so I figured what better way to learn than build one up from scratch? Engine put together from various parts bought from the old timers shop a town over. Frame from an old guy that just had a bunch of piles of rust sitting in his backyard. It's a frankenstein bike for sure, but we don't care.

Nice! A K2 started from scratch, put together from other parts bikes... I like it, but feel I could be biased

Just went through your build thread, great bike!

[CycleRanger]

When I bought my CJ360T the seller had never transferred the title into his name. During the time he had the bike it traveled from one side of Texas to the other then back. The original owner had signed the title but in Texas they also require the seller to sign another form equivalent to a bill of sale. Rather than resort to other more, ahem, creative options I tried to track down the original owner. Fortunately even five years later he still resided locally. I cold-called him and explained the situation. He was kind enough to agree to meet me and sign the required form so I could properly transfer the title. And of course during the meeting he expressed regret at having the sold the bike.

[754]

Before they can say they want it back,  have your storage fees worked out..even 10 bux a month times 3 years would be 360 bux...buck a day would be a grand.
 

[Alan F.]

Before contacting him you could also do some research on his construction company to get a feel for the type of businessman he is. If he's on the level you can have good confidence he'll be a reasonable guy to work with as far as your frame is concerned. But if you read all kinds of horror stories about him.... 

[Bankerdanny]

I tracked down the guy who was on the title to the FJ1200 I bought in 2008. It had been a repo so the title was in the name of a bank that didn't even exist any more. The guy bought it from the bank in 1995, rode it once, got scared by the power and never rode it again or transferred ownership. Years later he sold it to some idiot who didn't understand that a title with the name of a different buyer on the back was worthless to him. I went ahead and completed the purchase even with the messed up title assuming I could fix it while in the mean time just using a plate registered to the bike I had sold.

I tried to get him to help me to sort it, but he refused. In the end I forged a bunch of documents to make it look like his name had been written in error and "adjusted" a date to be 10 years later (2008 vs 1995) and brought all the paperwork to the state where they barely looked at it and transferred the title to me clean.

[SKOL]

Before they can say they want it back,  have your storage fees worked out..even 10 bux a month times 3 years would be 360 bux...buck a day would be a grand.

Storage fees to charge him if he wants it back? Didn't think about that. I don't want to be a dick, if but that's how he wants to play things out... this is a pretty good idea.

[SKOL]

When I bought my CJ360T the seller had never transferred the title into his name. During the time he had the bike it traveled from one side of Texas to the other then back. The original owner had signed the title but in Texas they also require the seller to sign another form equivalent to a bill of sale. Rather than resort to other more, ahem, creative options I tried to track down the original owner. Fortunately even five years later he still resided locally. I cold-called him and explained the situation. He was kind enough to agree to meet me and sign the required form so I could properly transfer the title. And of course during the meeting he expressed regret at having the sold the bike.

Im reserving hope that I have a positive situation like this!

[SKOL]

I tracked down the guy who was on the title to the FJ1200 I bought in 2008. It had been a repo so the title was in the name of a bank that didn't even exist any more. The guy bought it from the bank in 1995, rode it once, got scared by the power and never rode it again or transferred ownership. Years later he sold it to some idiot who didn't understand that a title with the name of a different buyer on the back was worthless to him. I went ahead and completed the purchase even with the messed up title assuming I could fix it while in the mean time just using a plate registered to the bike I had sold.

I tried to get him to help me to sort it, but he refused. In the end I forged a bunch of documents to make it look like his name had been written in error and "adjusted" a date to be 10 years later (2008 vs 1995) and brought all the paperwork to the state where they barely looked at it and transferred the title to me clean.

I hope it doesn't get to that, but if it does, I may pick your brain on "adjusting" documents