Topic: yet another newbie question

[thelostone]

I've really been itching to get into the scene but I haven't found a bike that I'm happy with.

Recently I stumbled upon a CL find and I wanted to see what you guys thought before taking the plunge.

Any comments or help are greatly appreciated!

$800 today 1978 cb750. Running and driving project. needs minor electrical work and to be titled.

Is essentially the entire post, I was going to attempt and offer him less than 800. Should I take it or wait around for another one?

I am not afraid of getting my hands dirty.

Thanks,

[madmtnmotors]

Needs to be titled? It's up to you, but I have no use for a bike without a title.

[Scott S]

 That was the first "flag" to me, as well. You have to figure out how hard that is to do in your state (Texas, right?). Some states, it's easy. In others, it's doable with a little work. Other states.... No Go.

 IF you get the bike, don't spend a penny on it until you OWN it. In other words, get the title in your name.

[calj737]

Call the State Police and have them do a VIN check. That's the first order of business when you see the bike. Compare the VIN tag on the right side of the neck with the stamped VIN on the left side. Make sure they match. The motor serial will NOT match as they never did from the factory.

If the VIN is correct, if the State Police come back clean, get a proper Bill of Sale and use the VT registration route to get your new title. And yes, I'd offer less than $800 regardless of how well it runs. Start at $500 cash in hand. Have the Seller email you pictures of both VINs before seeing the bike and check it out with the Police.

[Scott S]

 A caveat to what Cal said: Way back in the day, when stuff at the DMV was done by hand by some blue haired lady, some bikes got titled by the engine #, not the VIN on the neck. I had a CB550 done that way once and was able to provide old service records that had both #'s on it and the DMV changed it for me.
 It's not completely unheard of to find the engine # on the title as the VIN and not the number on the neck. Ideally, you want the number on the neck as the VIN, to prevent any future headaches. Just an FYI.

[b52bombardier1]

If you are in Texas, you have the option of doing a "bonded title". I have heard that this DMV regulation in Texas makes the Vermont Method not be of much use and that's  probably Ok.

Run a Google search for "buying a Texas vehicle without a title" or I can find the link for you later tonight.  Basically, you buy an insurance policy that protects the state from defending the title if somebody asserts a claim. After three years, if nobody claims your bike, the temporary title becomes a regular normal Texas title.

I'm in Louisiana close to Texas and have never done this myself but is what I have heard.

Not having a title is cause for a $200 drop in the price. It's trouble and legwork. So yea, offer 500 bucks and maybe settle for six hundred. But yes, definitely run the VIN through the local police computer and see what shows up.

Also run the VIN through the National Insurance Crime Bureau web site to see if any loss claims have been made.

Rick


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[Stev-o]

Bonded title is a possibility, not a problem if you dont mind doing the work for it.

Offer him $500....