Author Topic: CA title questions (Read 2179 times)

squirley · « **on:** May 06, 2008, 10:11:22 AM »

I started a topic a whild ago when I firts purchased my bike about obtaining a title from a bill of sale.
original thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=29805.0
I had the dmv run the plate and vin and it was not in the system. However, the other day, I recieved a phone call from them saying that in 1999 it was registered to some sorts of transit company.
My question is, to obtain a title I now have to send paperwork to to the transit company? I have heard horror stories of previous owners wanting the bikes back. In order to get away from this mess, can I title it with a title company (witch I was going to do anyways) or is this bad as the bike is still in teh system now?

Tower · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2008, 10:51:28 AM »

As far as I can surmise, all that you are registering is the frame. The rest is yours.

You will need the person who sold you the frame to notarize the sale (DMV or DOT in Canada has the forms) You should get that done first.

Then you will need the on-record owner to transfer the frame ownership. This might take two (or more) steps. First to the person selling you the frame then to you. (That's why you should get the bill of sale notarized first)

squirley · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2008, 11:04:27 AM »

It was an entire bike that I purchased. I have completely cut it apart and modded it, so I is nothing like it was. I only started the mods after the dmv said it was out of the system.

Thanks for the reply Tower. If I send the person that the bike was last registered by the information and files to fill out, and they send them back, then I move down the line to the guy who sold the bike to me with a bill of sale. Just take it in steps. However, what if the original registered owner doesn't send back paperwork or is not reachable? What happens then?
When you say get the bill of sale notarized, what exaclty to you mean. Do I send paper work to the guy I bought it from saying that he sold it to me and he signs it off with a notary?

Last question is...can I forget all this my just titling it through a title company?
Thanks

squirley · « **Reply #3 on:** May 06, 2008, 11:23:18 AM »

I have found a couple title places that will do it for $80, but I would still pay 140 to have it done with. I can't stand dealing with people sometimes or for that matter the DMV. I just want to know that if I do title it through a title company, and then I take the new out of state title to the CA DMV to get the titled transfered here, am I going to run into legal errors as I am trying to title a bike that comes up as in the system from 1999?

gtyler5 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 06, 2008, 11:32:08 AM »

Sorry I can't answer your question, but I am having trouble with a title too could you share some of the places you found that would do it for $80?

squirley · « **Reply #5 on:** May 06, 2008, 11:49:52 AM »

Well, it depends on the year of your bike. I believe if it is 1974 and before it is usually cheaper. ITS advertises that they do it for $85. There is also Broadway Title Company, I have heard they do it quickly, but I think they may have raised prices. There is another company that I heard of on the triples forum, I will have to track it down to see if I can find it. Advertised price was $80

Gregorymoto · « **Reply #6 on:** May 06, 2008, 03:09:52 PM »

Just a not on the you can only title the frame post.
In the state of CA the title fallows the frame and motor.

Other than that i would go with a title co.
Good luck

Tower · « **Reply #7 on:** May 06, 2008, 03:37:24 PM »

Yet another difference between Ontario, Canada and Ontario, California, Gregorymoto

Notarized for DMV purposes is merely completing their form.

Here's how its done....
Most states have a "quick title" or otherwise known as abandoned vehicle title service through the vehicle registration department. They should be able to advise you.

You can use a lean-sale company to initiate a lean on the bike in lieu of theoretical storage fees. When the bike defaults the lean it is issued a new title in the lien holder's name (you.) For expensive bikes it takes about 3 months. For less expensive bikes it takes about a month. The lien sale company charges you a small fee (e.g. $80).

You can also initiate the lien yourself but the process is a little more difficult. The waiting period is to see if the actual owner of the property steps up and claims the bike, or contests the lien. They send notification to the address on the last title holder.

Since you know the holder is on record, that is what MUST be done. You would still have to go through a lien sale process even if the bike is not registered with the state.

squirley · « **Reply #8 on:** May 06, 2008, 04:17:20 PM »

Thanks for the replies guys.
Maybe this has been directly answered but I still want to pound it into the ground before continuing in this direction. If I choose to use an out of CA state title company, it comes back titled to me. If and when I want to transfer the out of state title over to a CA title, will I encounter problems? When I go to title it, will they see that it may belong to the last person that registered it?
If the title is clear and lost, does the last person that registered it have the right to take it, or can I get in trouble for trying to title a bike from out of state that is already in the CA system?

ralt12 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 06, 2008, 04:55:45 PM »

While I was waiting for the umpteenth time in the CHP regarding an old Laverda I was registering, the officer on duty was explaining to the fellow in front of me that if he couldn't document both the frame and the motor, they either had to be moved out of state or destroyed.
A little extreme, I thought, and there are a lot of other spots where they'll look the other way, but if they want to be sticklers, you do need to have documentation that follows both the motor and the frame.

fixahonda · « **Reply #10 on:** May 06, 2008, 06:10:36 PM »

Quote from: ralt12 on May 06, 2008, 04:55:45 PM

While I was waiting for the umpteenth time in the CHP regarding an old Laverda I was registering, the officer on duty was explaining to the fellow in front of me that if he couldn't document both the frame and the motor, they either had to be moved out of state or destroyed.
A little extreme, I thought, and there are a lot of other spots where they'll look the other way, but if they want to be sticklers, you do need to have documentation that follows both the motor and the frame.

Is this just to get a new title for a vehicle getting put back on the road after a lost title, or to title any vehicle in CA?
I am moving to San Diego this fall and am bringing my 350F with me. I have the title and it is in my name, but there is no engine number on the title at all. Is this going to present problems? Come to think of it, my truck only has the VIN and no engine number on that title either.

Gregorymoto · « **Reply #11 on:** May 07, 2008, 05:31:03 AM »

if you are moving from a state that does not fallow the frame and motor on the pink into CA write up a Bill of sale for the motor and bring it with you.
I did that in CA and it worked. But it is a roll of the dice when dealing with CHP Pigs. You might get some new guy that goes by the book word for word.
Good luck

JLeather · « **Reply #12 on:** May 07, 2008, 09:51:53 AM »

Quote from: fixahonda on May 06, 2008, 06:10:36 PM

Is this just to get a new title for a vehicle getting put back on the road after a lost title, or to title any vehicle in CA?
I am moving to San Diego this fall and am bringing my 350F with me. I have the title and it is in my name, but there is no engine number on the title at all. Is this going to present problems? Come to think of it, my truck only has the VIN and no engine number on that title either.

Most states don't have engine numbers on the title. In MD they only have frame number on the title. But when you register it you put the engine number on the registration. Does your registration card have the engine number? If it does, then just bring that. I believe when ITS or someone does this the engine number appears on the registration card they give you.

Tower · « **Reply #13 on:** May 07, 2008, 11:09:42 AM »

Squirley, if you are concerned that the owner of record might want the bike back, I'd say that is a possibility. Until you have registered the bike in your name, the authorities do not recognize you as the rightful owner.

You would not be the first to buy a misappropriated bike from someone. The bill of sale supports a claim you might make against the seller, but does not entitle you to ownership of the bike, per se.

squirley · « **Reply #14 on:** May 07, 2008, 11:52:14 AM »

I read over some threads with the same issue unfortunatley.
However, right now, is there anything that can keep me from titling it with a title company?

Tower · « **Reply #15 on:** May 07, 2008, 02:41:28 PM »

You will find the answer to your question by going through the titling process....and whatever your experience turns up, I'd also be curious to know the answer.

squirley · « **Reply #16 on:** May 07, 2008, 02:50:50 PM »

Well, I filled out the forms today for ITS. We shall see how it goes. Thanks for the help.

GammaFlat · « **Reply #17 on:** May 07, 2008, 04:59:49 PM »

Quote from: squirley on May 07, 2008, 02:50:50 PM

Well, I filled out the forms today for ITS. We shall see how it goes. Thanks for the help.

Please keep us posted. I'm in a similar spot. I have the ITS packet but have not submitted it yet.

Tower · « **Reply #18 on:** May 07, 2008, 07:25:07 PM »

These "Titling" companies may have a respectable sounding name, but consider the sort of business they're in. Akin to....
Debt Collectors
Repo Men
Bounty Hunters
Dog Catchers
and
Revenuers

With all due respect, shady business, the lot.

Tower · « **Reply #19 on:** May 08, 2008, 12:01:42 PM »

Sure, all of these are legal and perfectly legitimate, mostly reputable and in some cases even necessary, businesses. Unfortunately, they reflect the seamier side of human intercourse and seem to operate with one foot in a legal grey zone, which somehow tarnishes their good name...in my books anyway. I could be wrong.

You don't see the connection between Repo and Lien-Sale? Maybe I've engaged in a form of stereotyping...would you want your daughter marrying a dog catcher

Tower · « **Reply #20 on:** May 08, 2008, 01:14:10 PM »

Hahaha.
I see the problem

in-ter-course
1: connection or dealings between persons or groups
2: exchange especially of thoughts or feelings
3: physical sexual contact

seamy
1: archaic form: having the rough side showing
2: Unpleasant, degraded, sordid

Edit: "They reflect the rough side, unpleasant, degraded, or sordid side of human dealings between persons or groups"

Gregorymoto · « **Reply #21 on:** May 08, 2008, 01:22:55 PM »

Hay i'm a Mechanical Engineer with my own Fab Co.
I've welded on Necks with Number and stamped Number in Necks, I'm SHadey as Hell.
Dont forget me.... I'm a Bad Man.

LOL

Tower · « **Reply #22 on:** May 08, 2008, 01:38:47 PM »

Hahaha.
I hope I didn't offend you then by impuning your purity.

squirley · « **Reply #23 on:** May 08, 2008, 02:51:24 PM »

I am a mechanical engineer too Gregorymoto, what line of work are you in?

Gregorymoto · « **Reply #24 on:** May 08, 2008, 03:31:54 PM »

At the moment I'm designing and building one off servo controlled lighting for a stage lighting co hear in SF. I do allot of stuff, motorcycle mods, protective transportation carts for all kinds of stuff in the lighting industry, and allot of welding on all kinds of things. I'm 2 years into my own business of basically problem solving and building just about anything. I even do some carbon fiber parts for motorcycles, mostly fenders and covers for this and that mostly reproductions of parts i make for my self, it fills in the gaps between jobs.
i did not do well in the ME world, I'm not good at sitting at a desk all day doing CAD, but i love Engineering.

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Author Topic: CA title questions (Read 2179 times)

fixahonda