Finding a title...

I am going to become buddies with the people at the DMV over the next couple of weeks I am sure. I picked up my 1983 Midnight Maxim for free from a friend that has had it for a LONG time but never titled it. I couldn't pass it up since it runs and has about 13,000 original miles.

Anyone on here go through the process of getting a title on a bike that has not had one for many many years? I traced back through several owners but still none of them titled it either, this thing floated around the neighborhood as trading stock for a while.

I am sure every state is different, I have gotten titles for trailers before, just figuring out what I am up against or if it would just be worth finding a parts bike with a title and doing the necessary switch of parts...

 

Hello,and Happy New Year! You may want to google either Broadway Title Service,or International Title Service. I used the latter with great results,cost was about $150. All the best with your quest!

 

Check with the state. It varies, but here in Michigan you can have one pretty much for the asking. Shame to spend $150 if you can just walk into the DMV and ask for one like I did.

 

Nice to know Michigan makes it that easy, I am right on the border and could "sell" it to someone in Michigan and have them sell it back to me when the title comes in if it turns out Indiana is difficult...

I'll have a chat with the DMV next time I am in town, thanks for the responses, it looks like I'll have a few options!

 

it appears all you need is a bill of sale,,,,,I had trouble with a pennsylvania title once,,,did not have the $ amount on it (no place for it) they wouldn't take it,,,took a bill of sale instead,,,they didn't even want to see the pen title!!!get somebody to give you a notarized bill of sale or you give them a bill of sale, somebody has to put their name an ID on it first for obvious reasons

 

I had to have it inspected also,,,they need to see the vin #'s,,,not a terrible hard or expensive thing to do

 

I ran into the exact situation with my 550. I found the original owner who was on the title and got him to sign it, but the old title used the 9 digit VIN and they required a 17 digit.

Basically, they had to inspect the bike and issue a new title using the VIN from the sticker. 4 trips to the DMV.

 

I just had a similar issue this past week or so. I took my 650 to have it titled. But for some reason, PA used an abbreviated VIN on the title. Even after the bike and title were inspected, NV still won't title the bike; unless I have the original PA title changed to reflect the complete VIN that's on the bike.

 

If you don't have a Title in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ... you are "S**t-outta-luck" for trying to get one and THEN going through the DMV process to get it Registered and a set of Plates ... which THEN sends you to a State Motorcycle Inspection Station for a hard look at everything before you earn a Sticker.

The KEY, though ... is HAVING some kind of Title for the Bike to allow you to start the process.

I don't know where or how you begin getting a Title ... but, if you can get that Machine Titled to you for under $400.00 ... it would be worth it. 13K Miles is just about broken-in for that 750.

 

There is always the option of a bonded title. Though if the titled owner replies that they are still the rightful owner, you are SOL and have to hand it back.

 

Therein IS the Trouble with not having a CLEAR Title to a Motor Vehicle (Bikes Included) ... IF somebody DOES have the Hard Title Document ... in the eyes of The Law ... the "Vehicle" is still theirs until the The Title is Transferred according to the Motor Vehicle Laws.

That can make for a real sticky situation when you buy a cheap Bike or get one FREE. The TITLE may Cost you a lot more than you Paid for the Bike!

 

but with a bill of sale you have a case against the guy selling stolen property to you,,,if you can collect.

system stinks once you learn all the red tape involved in trying to find who own's it

1 of my relatives had a atv stolen the guy who "stole" it ended up in the hospital day or 2 latter, police did not catch that it was stolen an the guy never came to get the atv,,cops sold it at auction then caught their mistakes years later,,,they called an informed him of what happened but did not seem to know what to do about it, ,,, it did still take my uncle awhile to get it back the police where trying to get him to let it go asking him didn't he collect insurance....(no insurance) they didn't want to make it right! my uncle had to repeaditly call them I think he ended up telling them he was going to the local news...guy who bought at auction lost the atv,,,,don't know what happened between him an the sheriff,,,,,they even have the guys name who wrecked it an still no action an he gets a walk,,I don't have any faith in the system,,,