Topic: Want to insure '74 cb750 with no TOD, how can I do this?

[markreimer]

Ok guys, i'm officially desperate.

I purchased a cb750 k4 that wasn't running from an elderly man who owned it since around 2002. He did not ever register it, nor did the owner before that. Well, I spend weeks breaking it apart and fixing things and it's finally back in shape and ready to safety and insure. Not so fast, according to Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI). With no Transfer of Ownership Document (TOD) I cannot insure the bike. Running the bike's serial numbers brought nothing up, suggesting it hasn't been registered since before 1995. There is no way to located the last owner to register it, so MPI will not allow me to register the bike. Without a TOD, it cannot get on the road.

I figure this HAS to be a common problem with so many old bikes out there. Does anyone have any knowledge of how to get a new TOD or any other way of getting the bike on the road? MPI has been TOTALLY useless and seems bent on giving me as little help as possible. ANY advice is appreciated. Just please dont' tell me I have a 500lb paper weight on my hands...

[brooze72]

Guess it may be a little different in Manitoba but here it's the MOT that has records of the bike registry, they can look up all previous owners with the VIN #, but that is assuming it WAS registered in MAN.  Maybe it's from another province/state?

You're right, there has to be someway way to get around it & you're not the first guy to have this issue.  Just have to find the right person in the government who has the answers.

[markreimer]

Yes, similar here, but the problem is when the ran the serial numbers no previous owners came up. Their database only goes back to '95. Their records come up totally blank, which you would think would be a green light to write-up a new ownership slip for me, but not so... I've been in and out of MPI offices and on the phone constantly for days now, no luck.

[Prospect]

You might be better of finding a frame with papers and switching the vin plate. 

You might consider buying a frame across in Ontario the vin database goes back to 1981 so even a frame without papers would allow you to find the owner and get new registration for it.

Probably not what you wanted to hear but it's the cheapest option I can think of. 

[markreimer]

Successfully got it registered! Since the serials came up blank, and I only paid $400 for it (not sure why that mattered, but apparently the way I registered the bike is only possible with low purchase prices), I was able to sign a statutory document of ownership that produced a new TOD in my name. I'm driving it down to the Honda dealership this evening to get a safety and get it on the road by the end of the week for good!


I also have a '78 cb750 that I bought for way too much in March (first bike, didn't know better), and the TOD resides with a guy three owners past and one province over. It's going to be a huge pain in the butt to get that one sorted out... But at least I'm on the road now!

[Tripps]

Your situation sounds like mine, I picked up a barn find BMW r65 with no title. I spent $10 to do a title search, got back that it was purged, no records were found. So I went down to motor vehicles and said I lost my title, I haven't registered MY bike in 20 years. They write purged on the registration app and you mail it off to Albany for a replacement title. If there are no records, who's to say it wasn't yours for the last 20 years? Mine is NY State, but it sounds identical.

[markreimer]

That is a great idea! Unfortunately I'm only 26 and I probably couldn't convince them it was sitting in my garage for the last 20 years. Regardless, I took it on its maiden voyage last night. Halfway through the battery completely died (new battery, used on a different bike for maybe an hour. Looked at it when I got home and it was totally empty??), my clutch started slipping, and the oil drain bolt leaked. Work is cut out for me!

[Tripps]

Have your dad or an older friend or relative do it or give you a receipt.

[winnipeg550guy]

Welcome fellow Winnipegger.   I purchased a barn stored 1950 Studebaker champion that hadn't been registered since 1965 with just a signed bill of sale which stated he was the owner. Of course the data base doesn't go back very far.  I paid a small fee for a title search which came up clear and was issued a new title as the new owner.  I can't imagine it would be much different for a motorcycle. But MPIC has always come across as anti-motorcycle so who knows what road blocks the could throw up.

 Good luck with the bike, hope to see you on the road soon.

[markreimer]

Thanks everyone, I walked out of MPI yesterday evening with my plate and registration in hand. I'm officially legal now  Couldn't be happier!