Topic: Titling a 40 year old bike that has no title... what to do?

[rebabal]

This refers to my recent purchase of a CB100 (supposed to pick it up today)

I live in SC.  I'm buying it from Boone, NC: The bike has no title (Auction says he has an Ohio title but the numbers don't match - so I guess this is of no help)

I called the SCDMV and asked what to do and she said I can't buy it without an NC title - but there is no title, anywhere.  I have no idea who technically registered it last.  I don't have the VIN on hand either.

Anyone gone through this before with an old bike?

Experience appreciated, especially in the east-coast area.

[kirkn]

Do a search for "no title" here on the forum header.  It's been discussed many times.

Otherwise, without heroic efforts, you're almost certainly SOL.  You got a pre-taste of this when your DMV representative said "you can't buy it".  They seem to have virtually no provisions for dealing with you.  Full Stop.

Sorry...

[tbpmusic]

Depends on what state you live in.
Some states make it pretty easy, others make it virtually impossible (like Indiana or Illinois).
Don't know about South Carolina, you may have shot yourself in the foot........you'll have a helluva time explaining this to the wife.
Don't say anything to anybody about the numbers not matching, or you'll shoot yourself in the other foot......

Living in Indiana, I don't even look at a bike without a clear title, unless it's free and I can use the parts.

[rebabal]

I think if I can't get a lost title for it I'm going to try the Ohio one.

The seller said he'd work with me on getting a lost title, so that's something.  I can always clean it up really nice and put it back on eBay and probably make a buck or two.  The auction was pretty lively with a good amount of bids.

[Uncle Ernie]

I used some kind of service that found or made or faked a title for a bike I had.  It was a long time now...  Anyway, try Googling something like that.  Also, call the Ohio DMV and ask them for a duplicate title.  What do you have to lose?
Also II; Sometimes it all depends on who you get at the DMV and how friendly you are.  Know what I mean, Jellybean? 
It could be that after they do a title search and find out it's not hot, they'll send you to the Highway Patrol to have a place rivited on to the frame with a new VIN. 
With every single phone call and visit, breath, splash cold water on your face, and smile.  No- not that smile.  I mean REALLY send the love vibes out.

[tbpmusic]

Most states require an inspection by the state police to title an out of state bike - if the out of state title  doesn't match the VIN tag, you're not only SOL, they might just haul the bike away.
So I don't think the Ohio title would do you any good if it doesn't match the VIN.
The VIN numbers are also stamped into the frame, on the opposite side of the neck from the VIN tag.
Most cops know this - they do here anyway, and always check both when I get it done......

Again, there are states that make it pretty easy - if you have a friend in one of those states, you can take it them and have them do a lost title thing in their state, then "sell" it to you once they have a clear title.

You hear all sorts of reports about these companies that claim they can get a title for you.
Didn't work out for the late great Boyd Coddington, who had several well-publicized major losses on cars he'd sunk a lot of money into, only to have the original owners show up. The original owners drove their cars home......
I have several second-hand reports from friends who also ran into problems with this......

If the rightful owner ever shows up, you lose everything you've put into the bike, as well as the bike itself.
Basically you have total exposure here.

[rebabal]

I called the NC DMV and they said the same thing, the current owner will have to find the original owner (probably impossible) and get a legitimate title, then sign it over to me.

This is looking more and more like I should bail out on this and hope the seller doesn't give me negative feedback or whatever.

[kirkn]

Well, I still think I'd follow Uncle's advice:  GO into the DMV and tell 'em you've got a bike that has no title, and was never titled in NC, as far as you know.  Turn on the charm, be dressed not like a heroin addict, nor like a used-car salesman, and see what they say...

Maybe even load the bike into truck or trailer and bring it along.  IF things look promising, THEN mention that you've got it with you.  Here in FL, the tag agency clerks will walk right out into the parking lot and do the VIN Verification thing.

Or, buy a derelict that DOES have a title and either swap frames, or just keep the derelict and get a plate for IT and put the plate on the good one.  True, if you get pulled over, the officer MIGHT note the discrepancy, but I'd play those odds.  I mean, one 40-year-old Honda registered to you looks very much like another 40-year-old Honda...  Of course, you couldn't SELL it, but it'd be a way to semi-legitimately get on the road. 

Good luck.

[Johnie]

Gosh man, get the heck out of there. If you have not paid the $800 bucks yet then try to be nice to the seller and cancel the buy. Let him know what your state DMV said. Tell him if he can secure a clean title in his name you will then buy it from him and pay for his title fee if you want the bike that bad. If he leaves negative feedback forget it. You want to lose $800? As a hard fast rule I never even consider a bike without a title. I walked away from a CB750K1 in Green Bay from a knucklehead guy who said he thought he could get the title from the guy he bought it from. Bike ended up going for cheap on auction with no title at less than 50% what he wanted for it. Buyer Beware...goofballs are all over the place.

[rebabal]

Well I've successfully bailed on the purchase, no money spent and no harm done.  The seller was understanding.

Damn titles...

[vanillagorilla]

Here in Tx, I sent in some required paperwork(bill of sale, proof of insurance, vin # pencil rubbing, etc). They sent back a letter telling me to get a sureity bond from an insurance company, or bond service, in a the amount the bike is worth, cost me 90 bucks. Then I get the title application to get it registered. Well, I hope its that easy, I am waiting on the title app to get here from the insurance company... Have a friend with a DOHC chopper who's gone through it.

[MickeyX]

The Ohio DMV should be able to look up the VIN and tell you who registered it last. As far as they are concerned, that is the rightful owner. Then, if it is like OR, you can sign a paper to receive their info and agree to not do anything stupid with that info, they give you the last known good address for that person and it is up to you to find them/contact them and see if they have the title or will sign the lost title paperwork. Just filling out the paperwork yourself usually won't work. They want the driver's license # from that person, not just a signature, and you wouldn't know it. It's how they keep you honest.  It's a way, as long as they aren't passed on or something. Then you have to secure a death certificate, etc... not really worth it unless it's a sandcast for $100 or something.

[tbpmusic]

The Ohio DMV should be able to look up the VIN and tell you who registered it last. As far as they are concerned, that is the rightful owner.

Maybe, maybe not - someone gave me a CB400T, it had old Indiana plates on it.
I did searches in 5 different states (each with their own Search Fee), no one had any record of the bike.
So I blew it off and parted it out.

You are correct, the rightful owner is the name on the last valid title.
And remember, the bike he's talking about has a discrepancy with the VIN number.....

[kirkn]

And in some states, like FL, they drop some items out of their system altogther if there's been no activity for X number of years.  I've had parts-type bikes like that - last titled in FL, but FL has no record whatsoever, either current, or when it "moved away"...

A regular PITA.

[fmctm1sw]

there's a guy that supposedly titles them in Utah for like $125.  Do a search, it was like two months ago, I got an email from the guy right away....

edit: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=65872.0

[bender01]

If you had a friend in a non titled state like Nh or I think GA to Write you a bill of sale for the correct numbers on your vin. Head into  your SC town (rock hill ?) assesors office and tell them you bought an old bike thats from a non titling state. Usually 15 years or older. They used to roll theyre eyes but not anymore to me. They get the book out see NH is that way.  I pay the sales tax of the sale. Get a receipt and head to the DMV! Pay the $ and wait 2 weeks for the SC title. I have done this in SC. Im getting ready to do it again when a 77 750f arrives here from RI>NH>SC for a friend. We are actually getting the bike to NH to Get it registered by his sister to make it even easier.  I have done it with a bill of sale only. If you wanted it it could of been done. In NH i have heard a cop will look at the #S to see if they match the RI bill of sale. We may just write a new bill of sale and just do it. In SC no one is going to ask to see the bike!

[CBcafeJunkie]

If you had a friend in a non titled state like Nh or I think GA to Write you a bill of sale for the correct numbers on your vin. Head into  your SC town (rock hill ?) assesors office and tell them you bought an old bike thats from a non titling state. Usually 15 years or older. They used to roll theyre eyes but not anymore to me. They get the book out see NH is that way.  I pay the sales tax of the sale. Get a receipt and head to the DMV! Pay the $ and wait 2 weeks for the SC title. I have done this in SC. Im getting ready to do it again when a 77 750f arrives here from RI>NH>SC for a friend. We are actually getting the bike to NH to Get it registered by his sister to make it even easier.  I have done it with a bill of sale only. If you wanted it it could of been done. In NH i have heard a cop will look at the #S to see if they match the RI bill of sale. We may just write a new bill of sale and just do it. In SC no one is going to ask to see the bike!

Would you be willing to do two bikes for compensation?

[campbmic]

Very helpful

http://scoot.net/faq/Register_a_barn_find