Topic: Anyone ever bought a bike w/o title in Texas?

[fastbroshi]

  Hey guys, I'd initially bought the bike just for the motor, but damn there's a lot to this bike already.  The main pieces are there.  I'd initially thought about just snatching the motor out, BUT, that the frame I want to put it in has no title as well. 
  So before I go any further, is there an easy way to get a new title for a bike in Texas?  I got off the phone with the DMV and they said I need a form, then going through it, it seems there's another I need.  Going through THAT, I may need to call another office and do another form.  Jeesh.
  If someone knows how to do this, I'm all ears.

[b52bombardier1]

It's called a bonded title.  Basically, you put up bond money to an insurance company for twice the value of the bike or $4000, whichever is greater.  This is supposedly the dollar amount that it will cost the state if the original owner comes back to claim your bike with the original lost title.

  The bonded title is good for I think three years.  Then, if nobody has asserted a claim for your bike with a previous title, you can apply for a full title and the Texas DMV SHALL / WILL / MUST issue you a normal title.

  There are a few conditions that you must meet and they are outlined at the URL below:

http://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-selling-a-vehicle/bought-a-vehicle-with-no-title

Rick

[CycleRanger]

Your insurance company can issue a bond for about $100.
The real expense is the taxes.
If the DMV can't find the vin in the system the default standard presumptive value of $6000!! will be used
to calculate the tax. ($375)
Also, you'll have to get a VIN verification done by the DPS and you'll to go the regional DMV office to get the rejection letter.

So while it's pretty easy, paper-work wise to the get a title it will cost some money.
Also, the bonded title is a full, normal title.
The bond is to cover the state, not you, from the PO making a title claim.

[fastbroshi]

Thanks for the replies guys.  CycleRanger, how does that VIN verification work?  I have to take my non-running bike to them to inspect?

[CBGhia]

when they did mine, they used the blue book value for the bike to do the taxes.  it was only like 1200, so not bad.

[CycleRanger]

when they did mine, they used the blue book value for the bike to do the taxes.  it was only like 1200, so not bad.

Well, then I got screwed.  Their reasoning was since the bond was for $6K then the that was the value of the bike.  I though that was ridiculous but you can't argue with the DMV...
Somewhere they actually had a form that stated that. I'm trying to find it.

Broshi, yeah you have to take the bike the Sheriff's office or DPS and they will run a check to make sure it's not stolen. They usually only do this one day a week and you have to make an appointment.