Topic: Buying a CB750 w/ no title ?

[blank3d]

Hi everyone! This is my first post on the forum but not my first time here. I've been lurking around and checking out a lot of helpful posts and viewing some really nice bike pictures here.

I'm thinking about picking up this CB750 off of craigslist for $500. The only thing is that it comes with no title only a bill of sale. How much headache (money wise) would I be looking at if I jumped on this buy?

[oldhondarider]

opinions vary... some say it's no big deal...so say it is...

I believe not having the title is a bit of a hassle...  

Small bit of advice: I'd get the VIN # and call the local dept of motor vehicles... they can at least tell you if it's been stolen and how long it has not been titled.   They won't give much more information than that... but at least you can decide if it's worth sending it over to one the internet companies that provide titles...  

my 3 cents.

[scrapvalue]

What state are you in?
Some states are quite easy and some almost impossible.
Michigan is very easy. Just take the vin# to the secretary of state, fill out a small form and leave it with them.
Come back in an hour or so and they will tell you if it is stolen or if there is a lean on it.
If it comes back clean, you just give them the title fee, they register it in your name.
If you have proof of insurance at the time, you can get your license plate at the same time.
Did this with my 1972 CB750.

[blank3d]

Sounds like a good idea. I'm going to email the guy and try and get the vin# and proceed. By the way I live in Massachusetts.

[Simpson]

I'd just pay the 100-150 bucks and have a service recover it for you. It's well worth the money!

[Duke McDukiedook]

$350 max without a title. You didn't say what year.

[scrapvalue]

Just did a google search. Came up with this contact info.

 http://www.mass.gov/rmv/faq/registration.htm#r11

Whom do I contact if I did not receive the title to my vehicle?

Please correspond with the Title Department at the following address:


Attn.: Title Department
Registry of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 55885
Boston, MA 02205-5885

More info at  http://www.dmv.com/ma/massachusetts/replace-lost-title

[gmonkey]

Sounds like a good idea. I'm going to email the guy and try and get the vin# and proceed. By the way I live in Massachusetts.

I say don't do it.  MA makes it a hassle.  If I remember correctly, you need either a title or a recent registration from another state in the seller's name.  750 are not that rare around here that you need to jump that one (unless there's something special about that one).  I see them on craigslist in the worcester area all the time for as low as $300 in varying states of disrepair.  Save yourself the trouble and wait for one with a title.

Edit:  case in point  http://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/1734475552.html  Lester mags and everything, $500.

[knowsnothing]

Hey Blank,

I just went through this not too long ago (i live in Quincy).  It really depends where are you getting it from.  I bought my first 750 from a guy in NH.  He did not have a title, but up there you don't need a title to register it.  I got a bill of sale and a copy of his registration and that was enough to get it titled in MA in my name.  It was kind of a pain in the ass because the DMV is only open 9-5 M-F (and they are retarded) and it cost around $150 I think.  70 something for title, rest for registration and taxes. 

I also bought another 750 parts bike from a guy down in Hanson with no keys or title.  I did VIN# search to make sure it wasn't stolen.  They send you a print out that has the last person it was registered under.  I found this person and he agreed to sign the papers for a lost title recovery.  Lucky for me, 30 mins after i got of the phone, he called me back and said it was my lucky day.  He had found the title and would mail it to me.  It arrived 3 days later.   I think the guy still had a thing for his old 750. 

Outside of having a registration and or getting crazy lucky, MA makes it a headache to register an untitled bike. 

[knowsnothing]

Sounds like a good idea. I'm going to email the guy and try and get the vin# and proceed. By the way I live in Massachusetts.

I say don't do it.  MA makes it a hassle.  If I remember correctly, you need either a title or a recent registration from another state in the seller's name.  750 are not that rare around here that you need to jump that one (unless there's something special about that one).  I see them on craigslist in the worcester area all the time for as low as $300 in varying states of disrepair.  Save yourself the trouble and wait for one with a title.

Edit:  case in point  http://providence.craigslist.org/mcy/1734475552.html  Lester mags and everything, $500.

+1 on waiting.  Also, if you are a compulsive SOB like myself, don't put a dime into the bike before you get it registered in your name. 

[zzpete]

I have purchased bikes without a title in the past but with the changing rules and skyrocketing fees I would only touch one now if it was for PARTS ONLY. Even then your left with a frame and some oddball pieces that are damn near impossible to get rid of. Good Luck

[laser145]

Also consider the condition of the bike...

If this is a running bike in good shape, then maybe getting it for $500 makes it worth the hassle and expense of obtaining a title.

But if we're talking about a non-runner, needs work, bad tires, rusty tank, etc... then it's certainly not worth it. Not having a title isn't terminal, it just adds more expense, more hassle... gotta balance it out.

What's the condition of the bike?

[blank3d]

WOW some really great advice guys. Thanks a million! Seeing how experience from some of you guys on here caused nothing but headache, I'll just wait for something better down the road. Thanks once again everyone! 

[zzpete]

  Good choice!!!!

[GammaFlat]

Finding a frame / title combination might be just the ticket for a situation like that.  They usually go for 150 or better but I've seen them as low as 100 (not recently).  If the bike is all there and nice, you may be able to put a nice frankenbike together. 

[KB02]

Hey Blank,

I just went through this not too long ago (i live in Quincy).  It really depends where are you getting it from.  I bought my first 750 from a guy in NH.  He did not have a title, but up there you don't need a title to register it.  I got a bill of sale and a copy of his registration and that was enough to get it titled in MA in my name.  It was kind of a pain in the ass because the DMV is only open 9-5 M-F (and they are retarded) and it cost around $150 I think.  70 something for title, rest for registration and taxes. 

I live in Vermont and a title is not required for a bike over 15 years old here (a 1994 model bike would not require a title). I sold my first 750 to a kid down in PA. PA DOES require a title. That was one thing the kid was worried about. I called the PA DMV and they said that as long as I sign the current registration over to the new owner, they would consider that as good in lue of the title. One extra signature along with bill of sale and he was good to go.

If it's a bike that is already IN Mass... well then... you might be making the right choice to wait.