Lapsed registration in California

I'll be looking at a Seca tomorrow that has not been registered (or non-op'd) for over 7 years. The owner told me that any reg. fees/penalties are cancelled after years and the vehicle is taken off the DMV books.

Anyone know if this is this true?

 

In WI, if the vehicle is changing owners, then the laps shouldnt matter to anyone - a very large laps can cause a longer delay in getting the VIN back in the system - (two VWs I bought in 1984 that had sat for nearly 10 years) - so with todays computer age, it shouldnt be so bad.

The bigger trouble you may have in CA would be if the bike was grandfathered in to meet or skip CA emission rules. Its possible after the laps that they might hold any emission clauses over your head, as if you were bringing in a new non-CA legal bike across the border to register.

If it was always a CA emission legal motorcycle, then I'd think there should be no trouble at all.

Ask your DMV. they probably wont shoot you for asking.


my 2 cents

 

Ok Edgar, I've played this game before.
I've had to chase a title for a bike (a Seca of course) and was greatly assisted by the folks down at the Folsom DMV. It ran me about $170 to get the paperwork ironed out. I've allowed the registration to laps on the very same bike myself and am at least 8 years out on it. I am aware that the records in California are dropped at 5 years (tried to get them to dig a little, I had black plates on my 66 GTO and wanted to keep them. No luck). Budget $200 and you should be well within that. Does the fellow your buying from still have a valid title? If he never registered it in his name, I'd be VERY reluctant to buy it from him. If hes got title in hand, go for it if the price is right. If you spend more than $800, I would be very surprised. Best of luck and don't be in any hurry to scoop on it, take your time and think the whole thing out, you'll be glad you did in the long run.

 

It was registered in his name.
It's a Seca 550 with about 30,000 miles. Hasn't been ridden for at least 5 years. Has 4 into 1 exhaust. Asking $125.

Then there's the xj650 maxim for $850. It runs and has only 11,500 miles, but it has too much black paint, I kind of like the chrome and metal visible.

Thanks for the reminder to take my time. I could just wait and plan on spending a little more and get something that is really what I want and like.

 

If that seca isn't actually on fire I'd drop the $125. Hard to go wrong at that price.

 

I agree ... a mountain bike at wally-world will cost you as much if not more for a facier model

 

Very true. The word is that nothing is missing (except the original exhaust and some seat material) and the tank has no dents. The tank is painted purple, so that might be bad, but I can repaint it. Are there are any good painting tips on xjbikes.com?

I'll be taking pictures tomorrow and posting them soon.

Edgar

 

Yes there are, lots of them! Hit the search, you'll have plenty to dig through. And you will see lots of nice work done by folks at home for minimum coin.