Topic: Obtaining a title from a bill of sale in Cal

[squirley]

I have searched, but didn't find anything directly pertaining to california.
I normally like to buy bikes with titles, but I just purchase a 74 cb550 without a title, just a bill of sale.  As far as I know, this should be enough to obtain the title...Am I correct?  I have the lisence plate and the last tag on it is from 1985.  I called the dmv with the plate number and it is out of the system.  I gave them the VIN number and they say it is invalid (the VIN number has a dash in it, and they say VIN's don't have dashes).  So, if the bike is out of the "The BEAST" that they call a database, is a bill of sale all that I need.
I am really only looking for replies from california residents, and hopefully ones that have gone through this trouble. Thanks

[skiri251]

May not be exactly the same as in your case..

I bought mine from a PO who lost (or didn't get) the title.
He bought it from a local salvage company.
I got a bill of sale, paperwork from the salvage companey, and had the PO sign a DMV form (sorry, forgot the detail).
Now I have a "salvaged" title.

This is Cal to Cal transfer.

Oh, one more thing.
You need to go to DMV to let them examine the bin #.
I heard that some DMV offices make a fuss that bike must be on the ground (off of a pickup truck) for this.

[squirley]

Well, this is the story as I have it.  The PO had no title or paperwork, he picked the bike up as a spare bike when he was rebuilding another 550, also thinking that someday he would restore it.  As the story normally goes, the bike sat for 5 years.  I just purchased it, and all I recieved was a bill of sale with the date, price of sale, vin#, and license plate.

[TwoTired]

1. Have CHP run the Vin and plate number for a stolen vehicle. Omit any dashes you find on the ID plate.  They may also be able to check for any liens that may exist for the bike.
CHP office can also fill out a Vin number verification form as can the DMV office. You will have to present the vehicle to an officious person for this.

2. With a bill of sale and the ID verification form filled out, they will take your old plate, collect fees, and give you new plate and Temp registration.  The new tittle and registration will be mailed to you.  The bike is then legally yours.

Cheers,

[squirley]

That sounds good Two Tired
If the bike is out of the system, then there shouldn't be back fees correct?  Any body have any numbers for how much this may cost to retitle and register?
Thanks again for the replies.

[skiri251]

I think I paid $100 or so.
Also I hear you can let DMV or CHP people come to your place for bin inspection.

[TwoTired]

The tags may be out of their system.  Liens are filed against Vin Numbers.  They are separate databases, methinks.

Cost? Between $60-$100.  Lost title fee, new plate fee, registration fee.  They calculate use tax based on sales price. They have lots of fee categories. Hopefully, your bill of sale was a low dollar figure.

Cheers,

[squirley]

I don't like being dishonest, but I hinted towards the PO leaving the selling cost open, but he didn't.  It was only 350 smackers, so it shouldn't be too bad. Thanks again for everyone's promp help.  Hopefully everything goes as easily as you guys made it sound, otherwise I will be bumping this thread to the top.

[ralt12]

I was registering an old Laverda in Pasadena a few years ago, and the CHP there was telling the owner of a Yamaha-engined special that if he didn't have a clear chain of title, he either had to take the motor out of state or have it destroyed. Bill of sale wasn't enough for this particular officer.

I was thinking, that sounds a little punitive, officer.....but I'm sure that there are some spots where it will be easier than others.

[JLeather]

If that doesn't work, International Title Services (ITS) can get you a title from just a bill of sale.  They register the bike in your name in a state that doesn't require a title (usually Maine).  Then, armed with a current Maine registration and current Maine tags, you go to your local DMV and say you need a title because Maine doesn't issue titles for old vehicles.  Costs about $150 if the other option don't work...

[squirley]

Just for some info on this.  I stopped by the CHP to have them run the numbers yesterday, and they told me they couln't do it.  I guess it is only a DMV thing.

[TwoTired]

Hard for me to believe that CHP does not have access to the stolen vehicle VIN database.  I'm guessing they simply lacked incentive to access it for you.

[StrongPerf]

Try again. DMV sent me to CHP. Have your bike as legal as possible. They will check to make sure it's legal with blinkers and lights and such.

Make a VIN verification appointment at you county CHP headquarters. I did mine in Ventura. There is an officer assigned to do this job.

I had a bill of sale, plate and 10 yr old expired registration. The officer looked the bike over, went inside for 15 minutes and came back out with all my signed papers. No fee.

I paid no back fees at DMV.

Good luck

[Jbird]

I'm going through the VIN verification hoop now too. I'm gonna pay a licensed VIN verifier to verify the # on my 70 750. I'd take it to CHP but I don't like being that close to people with guns and badges. I paid $56 at DMV for transfer and registration fees. The last time I used a verifier it cost about $40. I have a title, but the registration expired in 82 and the bike was no longer in the system, so DMV has to have the # verified.

Now, my 76 cost almost $400 to register because it was still in the system and there were years of back fees. oh well, sey-la-lucre,$$$   Jbird

[tomkimberly]

Very easy to do.

1. If you belong to AAA, go there and they will help you fill out the paperwork, if not go to the DMV.
2. For the inspection (number verification) the people at the DMV can do it for free or you can have your local police do it. Here in Orange, they charge $ 50.00 and they come to your house. If you decide to use the CHP, you must make an appointment first!
3. If not inspected at the DMV, return there with all the paperwork and receive your plates and temp reg. Title will arrive in the mail in about 5 weeks.

I have done this 3 times now.

Tom

[squirley]

Let me post another question then.  Immediatley after purchase of the bike, I began tearing it down for a rebuild.  I currently do not what to have it registered for the road, I would just like to have the bill of sale turn into a title that is in my name.  It is no where near roadworthy, and won't be for quite some time.  Should I worry about getting a title now, or should I wait until it is built back up so the CHP can check it over.

As for the CHP not running the numbers, they told me they wouldn't because they don't run numbers without a reason. So, I will go to the DMV and then most likely be turned towards the CHP again, but hopefully the DMV request to run numbers will be enough for the CHP.

As for AAA, is there a benefit to using them?

[StrongPerf]

I personally didn't want to put money into something I didn't even know if I could title. I brought all the parts in buckets and boxes along with the bike. He said I should have brought it street legal but understood and did the VIN check anyway.

AAA only works if you are a member...

[squirley]

I am a memeber of AAA, I was just wondering if there is an advantage (less $/easier) going through them.

[StrongPerf]

I am a memeber of AAA, I was just wondering if there is an advantage (less $/easier) going through them.

Couldn't tell ya!

[joeb]

When I did my bike at the Hayward Ca DMV my bike was not registered for more than ten years and was not in their system. I bought my bill of sale with me and the bike to dmv so the inspector could get a copy of the vin on the stem and about 65$ later I had registration in hand.   Bike was running at the time.    And I paid no back fees.

[robscb350f]

I just had my bike registered in Ca today, with just a bill of sale.  Take your bike in a truck or trailer.  The will then check the vin number of the bike and also the engine number.  Make you fill out section 1 and 6 of http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg227.htm.  Part 1, 3, 4 of http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg343.htm and part G of http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg256.htm.  On the statement of facts it just needs to indicate, by the seller what he did with the bike for the time he had it.  In my case it was in his yard for 15years and he never got around to fixing it and it sat.  That is all the information they need and his or her signature and that is it.  If you can't get a hold of the person that sold it to you then you need to provide proof of certified letter that you send him or her the info.  My suggestion is fill it out sign it, if you can't find the person and be done with it.  

[robscb350f]

I ended up paying 58 dollars and walked away with a titled bike.  My bike is not running and rusted up and they still registered it in my name!  Good Luck!

[toycollector10]

I live in New Zealand. I buy a bike on eBay out of Atlanta (1973 Kawasaki Z1) for $USD 8,100 and the vendor states clear title. I then pay $NZD 2,700 for shipping and port fees and taxes and the bike arrives without title or a bill of sale.... The seller tells me Atlanta doesn't need a title on a bike that is 35 years old. I'm starting to sh*t bricks because without those two it's a boat anchor. More to follow. He's a dealer with 300 plus feedbacks at 100 percent but if this turns to sh*t he is certainly getting a negative! That won't help my situation at all, though, will it. More to come on this issue for sure.

[JLeather]

First of all, great avatar.  Alizee (sp?) is really hot.

Now, the seller was correct in stating that in Atlanta they don't issue titles for older vehicles.  My buddy got a car from there and it came without a title and he had to obtain one.  Unfortunately, in order to obtain a title from a vehicle like that you're supposed to have a current registration AND a bill of sale, which you take to your DMV and they issue a title.  Those two docuemnts prove you are the registered owner in that state.  My advice would be to contact ITS.  Read this page:

http://www.its-titles.com/dear74.htm

A copy of the ebay auction should serve as all the Bill of Sale they need, and they can get you the correct documents to get your vehicle titled.  If you live in the states, they will even call your DMV if you have a problem (not sure about other countries).  I'd say call them, explain the situation, and see if they can do it for NZ.

[Jinxracing]

I am a memeber of AAA, I was just wondering if there is an advantage (less $/easier) going through them.

I'm in a similar situation with my bike and all of the stories people are telling in here match up pretty closely with what the San Clemente DMV told me over the telephone.

I'm definitely going to try AAA first, for two reasons: I never have to wait in line for DMV services when I go there, and the ladies who work at AAA are really nice and helpful. Besides, if you're paying the yearly fee to be a member you might as well take advantage of their services!