This confirms it: I've lost my mind.

Today I went and bought this, with the intention to [try to] restore it and sell it. I had to. The price was begging me to. They only wanted $150 for it! I can give up on it, part it out, and still come out way ahead.



Seat is in great condition. Pipes are missing. One side cover is missing. EVERYTHING has rust on it, even the plastic. It turns over, it has good compression, and aside from that cover and the pipes and a battery, everything is present.

I plan on keeping it stock. There are still some leftover parts from my first bike that I can swap out. I'll start a new build thread for this bike elsewhere, but just wanted to share my insanity with you guys here.

Oh, and supposedly it's an 1982 XJ650, but the VIN doesn't seem right. There was no title, only a bill of sale. I'm thinking it might be an 83. I'll look it up later to confirm.

 

Looks like fun!

 

I know, right?

 

JYA 5N800 6CA 023220

Ok then. So it is an '82. Cool.

 

That's not insanity. What you have there is a sound financial decision. Call it an investment (esp. if you have a Significant Other to answer to!) You weren't planning on spending anything more on it, right?

 

Ps That John Deere in the background says "FREE"... Wanna talk about shipping that to Canada? Got a bigger new lawn to mow soon, and with all the XJ lovin' ahead for you, you won't have time to ride it!

 

That's a great parts bike right there!!! I'd have grabbed it too ....you'll put $1000 or more into it to make it a $1000 bike. Part it out, save the best bits, and sell the rest --- make some money, take her out for dinner, then start over with the next one... Let the hobby feed itself

 

I suppose the insane part is that I'm going to go for restoring it first. I don't really have anywhere to store those parts. I'm trying to slowly convince the wife that a two car garage isn't enough room and we need to get one of those backyard sheds. Also, she turned to me and noted that it's a two seater, and maybe she can go for a ride with me on it. Ha! Now I can get her with the ol' bait-n-switch. "But it's so nice to go on rides together... maybe we should just keep it."

That's the wife's ride. She actually enjoys mowing. I don't get it. That free sign has saved me MANY trips to Goodwill.

 

As long as you can jump through whatever hoops you need to in order get a legit title! You can make a nice ride out of it---

 

I checked online, and it seems the first step is to call the State of Ohio Titling Support hotline within 30 days. They don't specify hours, so I'm going to assume bank hours. I'll call tomorrow during lunch.

 

Good luck getting a title in Ohio. It's near impossible.

 

I haven't called yet, but I have a plan B. Seems Vermont is very open about vehicle registration, and you don't have to be a resident or even present to register a vehicle. If it's over 15 years old, a bill of sale is all you need. Check out the FAQ for proof!

After that it's just a matter of transferring the registration from VT to OH.

 

Update: called the hotline. They said talk to your local Court of Common Pleas. I called them and got transferred to someone who was on their lunch break, too. Waiting for a call back. So far none of this has been of the "forget it, you're screwed" variety.

For the record, I'm jumping through these hoops:

1. to document it for other Ohioans looking to title "parts" bikes, and
2. because I'm betting it'll be cheaper to re-title in state than it will be to register in VT then transfer.

I'll probably copy it over to a "How To" thread later on, whatever my results are.

 

Got a call back. I'll need to track down the person with the original title. Court of Common Pleas can only help if the person with the original title is deceased. I didn't realize I'd need to kill anyone.

The place I bought it from is closed today, so I'll call them tomorrow to see if I can contact whoever they bought it from. For him to get a replacement title made up, he'd have to visit the DMV, fill out a form, show ID, and pay $15. I'll offer to pay the fee and meet him there.

 

I'd offer to pay for gas and buy the guy a nice lunch too.

 

I agree that would be the decent thing to do, but logistically he's got a decent competitor in the State of Vermont: if I'm reading everything correctly, I think they only want $44 to register the bike.

Huh. I may just go ahead and go the VT route. First things first though: try to get it running to see if it's worth titling.

 

Good condition seats alone go for $150 on eBay so you're already even if you decided to part it out.

 

I'll sell you my seat for 125

 

Interesting about Vermont! At least one of our states hasn't gone full jerk.

 

"Live free or die." Oh wait, that's New Hampshire.

"Freedom and unity." That makes sense, too.

 

I got one.... Vermont - Motorcycle fence of America.

 

Oh there is plenty of jerky stuff in Vermont. Every state has its share.

 

Out of curiosity, I looked up Ohio's motto. "With God, all things are possible."

Apparently titling a 33 year old rusty motorcycle with only a bill of sale in this state doesn't count as a "thing."

Moose jerky. Mmmm...

 

Here is an old thread regarding titles: http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/title-problems.43790/#post-387669
In it I posted

I received a Vermont registration and plate good for one year. A year later I applied for a Florida title (just title, no registration and plates) using this Vermont registration. That cost about $140.00 or so since if I remember correctly. So the whole deal cost about $200 (Vermont + Florida) for a bike I purchased for $300, LOL.

 

No you just ride it without title and tell the police to forgive you like God would...

 

Now that's faith!

 

I have known of "people" who have swapped plates between bikes rather than register them all. Can't remember who any of them are though....

 

I believe the end of your sentence is "...your honor."

 

NY-- I'm jumping through hoops for a '78 beetle convertible, purchased many years ago from the original owner. Title was lost, has been purged from the system, DMV gave me a whole list of things to fill out, and if I could even get a statement from the old owner that would make it easier--- I FOUND him!!!!! ALIVE!!!!! He sent me a statement of sale again to go along with all the other documents and pics, along with a copy of his license. It was notarized as required, sent it all with my check as required------ waited two months or so.... Just got the much-waited-for envelope from DMV!! I opened it to find all my papers, my check, and a note saying "this vehicle is not in our database.... The previous owner must complete the following documents, and after the title is issued, he will be able to transfer ownership to you".

Nice. Now I have to get all the forms that I filled out so that HE can fill them out. Fortunately, he's willing to help simply because he is happy his old convertible is being restored ....

Sheesh----

 

What's crazy in USA is that everyone knows the DMV is broken and it's a nightmare to do something simple like just get a license or title. Anywhere else where the wait time was commonly in excess of 4 hours wouldn't be tolerated. I mean if you went to the doctors for example or the post-office even, but people accept it cos most people don't have to do it that often. They need a system like they have a theme parks where you can go online and get a number that gives you a time.

Outside of the crazy wait times and nonsense processes the DMV is a very bizarre place. If you sit somewhere long enough (and here you have no option) you'll start to see they wierdness of it, if you pay attention. For example:

1) The proportion (no pun intended) of fat people that work there is just ridiculous. Do they recruit from burger king? I've lived in several states and no matter which DMV I go to there's an inordinate amount of fat people working there, it's like 80% seriously overweight and I don't mean, "oh I need to work off a few pounds fat", I'm talking "shit do you iron your pants on the driveway fat". This is seriously way above the national average that there has to be some reason for it. My theory is they are all aliens or content fascists.

2) Lunch - yep the vast majority of people that work there take lunch between 11 and 1pm. Right when everyone else is taking an extended lunch to go to the DMV (amateurs).

3) Security - ever single security guard I've ever seen at the DMV looks like they're about to die. Either from age or health (often due to obesity (see 1)).

4) Disabled window - every DMV has one by law, and it's always empty. No self respecting disabled person has time to go to the f***ing DMV themselves - no they send their state funded helper, who can't go to the disabled window. They will deal with anything too, so hey you know if you just happen to not be able to stand up for more than a few minutes you can claim yourself a fast path right there. I legitimately qualify for this anyway due to a serious case of tofuckinglazyitus but you could also just be shit-faced.

5) No wifi!!!!!! Are you shitting me - I know the offices look like they're from 1990 but come on man. If they had wifi I could go work from there. I might even do it without any need to so I can feel slim (see 1).

6) Yoghurt and wet dogs. Every single DMW smells of yoghurt and wet dogs somewhere. A fun game to play to kill the time is to try and find it. Trust me it's there somewhere.

7) Fight! At some point without fail there's going to be an argument, either a couple will get into an argument or someone will lose their shit with the place. This is another fun game you can play trying to guess which one it's going to be.

One thing I like to do when I go there is just call everyone Stacey. Like you really believe that's their name. It's amazing how annoying it is and the reaction breaks up the boredom but you have to poker face it and make a point of asking random people that work there questions. The more weird the question the better - like - "hey Stacey, do you know where I can get a red pen?", or "Hey Stacey, I'm parked in a space outside it that ok?". Maybe they should get wifi...

 

You people are living in the wrong places. My DMV is awesome...usually (only operator's licenses are handled there). The tax office (where you deal with registration and titles) is awesome. The sheriff's office (vehicle inspections) is awesome, unless the officer doing the inspection is called out during said inspection (just a minor inconvenience though).

 

The DMV isn't the only thing broken in the USA. . .
K-moe must live in an anomaly.

 

I've never had a problem with my DMV. I have been able to get a title for a bike that I had no paper work on. Got a vin inspection filled out a couple of documents (plus a fee) and within a couple of months I received the title.
Then I started working on it. I lose anything if the "current owner" wanted the bike back.

 

A couple of months - you see this is my point - all this is - is database lookup. Was your form online or did you have to print it or scribe it on slate with chalk? If I had access to the system I could do it in 5 mins so why does something like that take months in 2015? Answer - because the people that work at the DMW are swamped in overtly complicated processes and archaic technology that it drives them to sit in the corner and eat Yoghurt covered donuts while crying.

 

WhatWhatWhat? This is new to me. Are they edible? Who would put healthy stuff on a donut?

In less than a month I am moving, and then I will be getting the title switched over to my name, so I will be able to let youse guys know how it works in Ontario. They seem to have computers in the Ministry of Transportation, and the girls there are kinda pretty (I think one is named Stacey), there's no security guard, they have FREE WIFI, and the place was just renovated, so no wet dog and yogurt smell. Should go better than at Ribo's. It never takes long to register my cars, but I bought those from legit businesses, so much less fraud and forgery than with my XJ. Fingers crossed...

 

Those are yogurt covered BACON doughnuts.

 

Wait. There's a job where I could get paid to do that? And all these years I've been doing that for free like a sucker!

I feel I should chime in a bit on Ohio's DMV. When all I'm doing is your standard, run-of-the-mill things like a license renewal or plate renewals or getting a temps (fear not, I've had my endorsement for years now), then the DMV here is fine. Great even. I've gotten a renewed license a couple of times at the DMV in Independence while on my lunch break, and I was in and out in under 20 minutes. Renewing plates is even better cause I can do it 100% online and have it mailed to me. I even get an email reminder 90 days before my birthday.

A number of years ago when I got my working XJ's title transferred to my name, all I had to do was take a number and wait 20 minutes (it was a busy Saturday morning) and bing-bang-boom I was on my way again. Granted, most of the people in the waiting area with me looked like extras from the People's Court or Judge Judy, but no one yelled or caused any scenes. There was a guide dog that seemed to enjoy the attention he was getting. I don't recall smelling him, so he must have been dry. And I think I remember someone in a wheelchair who had the door held for him/her going both ways. I don't think there was wifi, but this was when having an iPhone was still something of a status symbol.

Now don't get me wrong: I never look forward to going to the DMV, but Ribo may want to consider upgrading moving to Ohio. Just don't buy bikes with bills of sale only.

 

Matti,

I've licensed many motorcycles with only a bill of sale in Ontario. There is a process that I'll post this coming week.

Baldwonder, if you can bring your bike into Ontario as a "parts" bike you can register it here, then reregister it back in Ohio. Typically, guys returning from the Mid-Ohio meet will remove the front wheel/tank/seat before crossing the border.

 

I have the title, and the owner singed the back of it, so I guess that is legit. I just never got a receipt from him before he moved, so he told me to make one. I swiped one from a church hall when at a funeral and forged his sig. Evil!!! I may attempt the transfer without the receipt, and if they ask for it, "Oh yeah, I forgot it in the car. Be right back."
Running footsteps to door.
Car door opens, then slams.
Engine starts, revs high, and tires screech as I head for Mexico!
Now who's lost their mind?

 

Well if you're going to be one of those "law breakers" you might as well poke Jesus in the eye while you're at it.

 

Some things you just don't mention in public.....

 

Common sense is not my strong suit.

 

Don't be too quick to praise the Vermont DMV. Because the VIN was damaged on my dirt XJ750 project bike, the cop doing the VIN verification wouldn't sign off. So I had to apply in person for a replacement VIN, like on a custom without a factory VIN, and it took nearly 2 MONTHS!!! And many phone calls and emails to the investigating office to find out why it was taking so frigging long to process my paper work. Missed most of mud season due to the delay.

But, yes, the basic requirements for a vehicle more than 15 years old are pretty lax here. And your extra business helps keep my costs down......

 

From a church hall? At a funeral? Matti, you are SO going to Hell. If I get there first, I'll save you a seat.

 

Oh no, there's already one with my name on it. It's the one with all the spikes, right next to The Big Guy.

 

So I'm pretty excited. I finally got around to messing with the bike again last night. I took apart the starter button and kill switch and went at the insides with some sandpaper to get the corrosion off. I put it back together, borrowed the lawnmower's battery again, and this time she cranked over like a champ!

I was going to use this as an excuse to start a new thread for the rebuild process, but I can't decide which part of the forums to put it in. My first bike is in "XJ Mods" because I bobbed it. This is one staying stock... should I put it in "Technical Chat?" I'd put it up in the showcase, but that seems more like a finished bike area, and it's not really made for updates. You can post updates, but they don't really show - you just have to go through every showcase item until the "new" notification goes away, since you can't tell which item got updated or recently added. What would you prefer, @SnoSheriff ?

 

Any update on the title process?

I was considering buying an untitled Seca from a local aftermarket shop. The endorsed paper title has been lost for years lost and the original owner is deceased. I called the DMV and was refered to the OSHP as they can inspect and run a back search to authorize a new title. The Troopers that I spoke with on three separate occasions all told me not to bother as they have never issued the authorization on a lost title without the prior titlee's signature, ever. It seems that for some reason every motorcycle that has ever been inspected has some kind of lean or police report attached to it which allows them to confiscate the bike.

 

Technical chat is the right place for a stock rebuild thread.

 

Nothing yet. I sent in my registration application to Vermont a few weeks ago. They haven't processed my check yet, but they haven't sent anything back saying "no" yet either. Waiting game right now.

 

Update!
Got a letter back from Vermont yesterday. They sent my application and check back saying that

1. I didn't send enough money, and
2. I needed a VIN Verification Form filled out.

I skipped doing the VIN form the first time because it said that if you buy the bike from a dealer then the VIN verification wasn't necessary. I was hoping that the bike parts garage I bought it from was close enough to count. Looks like I was wrong. Oh well. And apparently the 6% sales tax they collect can't be from a price lower than either the minimum allowed for a registrable vehicle ($500) or the NADA value ($505, according to them). So instead of the $9 tax plus the $44 fee I originally sent, they wanted $30.30 tax and a $44 fee. So I voided my returned check and wrote a new one for $74.30.

Then I called the local police department. I explained briefly that I bought a bike without a title and needed a visual verification of VIN for the registration. The operator said "Oh, yeah, we've done that before" and told me to just bring the bike down. I told her it wasn't running yet, so she asked for my number and address so that she could send someone over when they were available. About 15 minutes later Officer Mitch called to say he was on his way. He pulled up, looked at the bike, checked the numbers, signed the form and said to have a nice day.

I threw all of that into the envelope Vermont sent with the forms, sealed it, stamped it, and threw it in the mailbox.

Stay tuned.