DMV Q: ? How to handle buying motorcycle w/o title | FerrariChat
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DMV Q: ? How to handle buying motorcycle w/o title

Discussion in 'California (Southern)' started by DavidDriver, Jul 19, 2012.

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  1. DavidDriver

    DavidDriver F1 Rookie

    May 9, 2006
    4,424
    Grass Valley, CA
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    David Driver
    #1 DavidDriver, Jul 19, 2012
    I'm in the process of trying to buy a motorcycle from a guy who bought a bike at an auction with a bunch of other "stuff". He has no title for the bike and is offering to give me simply a "Bill of Sale" and insists that I can register the bike this way.

    ...:rolleyes: But I'm not so sure.

    The application for a paperless title requires a notary. Something he seems reluctant to do. He hasn't said, "no". But he's ....well, relulctant.

    I could simply go on Monday and have him go to the DMV with me to do the transfer. But he's in Morgan Hill, which is 400 miles away. And before I drive there, I want to make sure I can not only complete the sale, but register the bike once I get it.

    I went to AAA today but they can't do a sale/transfer w/o a title and gave me a Bill of Sale form, and one other that would need to be filled-out. It seems he could simply fill-out the top portion, say it was lost and then I'm good-to-go. But AAA said that I really needed to askt he DMV what was required.

    So I'm curious; Will that fly?

    If you have experince in this, please feel free to chime in and give me some advice.

    Thanks a bunch!
     
  2. Turbo360

    Turbo360 Formula Junior
    BANNED

    Oct 21, 2011
    533
    #2 Turbo360, Jul 20, 2012
    Lein sale only. Sorry, I do not have any references to send you too.
     
  3. sparetireless

    sparetireless Formula 3

    Nov 2, 2003
    1,582
    #3 sparetireless, Jul 20, 2012
    the dmv has massive fines for missing registration, in some cases after couple of years the fines/penalties exceed the value of the vehicle in effect, totaling it out.

    Hard to believe but true. If you cannot register it, you can't use it. It might be good for display only.

    don't shoot the messenger.
     
  4. Zack

    Zack Formula 3

    Dec 18, 2003
    2,001
    Nicosia, Cyprus/Cali
    Full Name:
    Zacharias
    #4 Zack, Jul 20, 2012
    If he gives you a bill of sale, it has to have the right info on it. Or he can get the bill of sale form that the DMV provides. Probably it can even be downloaded. I have sold a few cars simply by writing out a bill of sale. It should say the owner's name and address, the VIN, mileage, make, model, amount paid, and who it's being sold to, and it should bear the signature of the seller.

    Typically, the DMV has a record of who the rightful owner is. So, they make sure it's not stolen, then process a title application for the new owner after collecting taxes, registration, and and outstanding fees.

    Both of these are potentially problematic for you.
    1. It's not registered in his name. So, the chain of ownership needs to be established to show he can legitimately sell it. For this, you will need the auction paperwork, I think. You need to call the DMV and check. The bill of sale vs. title is not the issue.

    2. For outstanding fines and stuff, fill out a "statement of facts" explaining how they were incurred by a previous owner--they will then reduce or eliminate them but again, it depends on the nature of what's owed. No big deal--get the VIN and call DMV and ask them to check. Be prepared to be on hold for a LONG time.
     
  5. DavidDriver

    DavidDriver F1 Rookie

    May 9, 2006
    4,424
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    David Driver
    #5 DavidDriver, Jul 20, 2012
    Thanks Zack. That's kind'a where I thought I was. On the BoS he can either check the LOST or NEVER RECEIVED box. The NEVER RECEIVED box is the truth, since he got it a auction. So I may need whatever paperwork (or BoS maybe?) he received with the bike. Hopefully, it wasn't bundled with a bunch of other stuff on a receipt.

    I'm thinking I may have to put this off until Monday and then go to the DMV with him to complete the transfer. That would be a PITA. But it's an option.

    If anyone else has something to add... Please do!

    Thanks for all the help and comments.
     
  6. jlonmark

    jlonmark F1 Rookie

    Mar 29, 2005
    3,199
    Beverly Hills, CA
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    Jay
    #6 jlonmark, Jul 20, 2012
    It's always such a pleasure dealing with the CA DMV. They really make life so enjoyable with their professionalism and concern for others. For this reason alone, I would probably not buy the bike. Lien sale would probably be the only way to get a title. However; I would probably ask the seller to conduct this is his state and then send you the papers and the bike.
     
  7. DavidDriver

    DavidDriver F1 Rookie

    May 9, 2006
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    Grass Valley, CA
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    #7 DavidDriver, Jul 20, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Well... :D

    As it turns out, the DMV was very helpful. The bike has been off the books for probably close to 40 years. I don't even need a Bill-of-Sale, although I'm going to get one "just because", and also because the seller thought that it would be necessary, and lastly... you can never NEVER have too much paperwork! Unless of course, it's paperwork YOU have to fill out!

    Just an application for title and transfer and a non-op. That's all that's required.

    Whew!

    Going tomorrow to pick it up.

    Has a small scratch in the tank, from something that fell on it while in storage. The exhaust is incorrect, but the seller has the proper one. The paint is a little faded on the tank too, but the seat looks barely worn at all. The bike has only 1100 miles on it.

    And my ambition of course, is to make it look like the one in the last photo!

    :)
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  8. SrfCity

    SrfCity F1 World Champ

    Nov 1, 2003
    10,142
    Orange County, CA
    #8 SrfCity, Jul 21, 2012
    Looks pretty cool, from back in the AMF days. With a lot of cleaning and polishing and some paint touch up on the tank it will look pretty clean. Have fun.
     
  9. DavidDriver

    DavidDriver F1 Rookie

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    #9 DavidDriver, Jul 21, 2012
    Thank you! Yes, very "retro". It'll look perfect next to the GT4! LOL!!!
     
  10. roadracer311

    roadracer311 Formula 3

    May 6, 2009
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    #10 roadracer311, Jul 21, 2012
    Looks like fun!
     
  11. DavidDriver

    DavidDriver F1 Rookie

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    #11 DavidDriver, Jul 21, 2012
    It is. I took it for a little drive today.

    It was from an auction of the bikes from Brooks Motorcycle in San Jose. I think they went out of business about 10yrs ago, and the family kept the inventory (even some brand new bikes from the 80's still in bubble-wrap!), for 10years before putting them up for auction.

    This was the owner's son's bike. And it's been in storage for proabably 35 years.

    The guy who got the bike a the auction got it on a fluke.. a mistake by the auctioneer who declared it sold after he made the first bid. Other bids came in after, but they were denied by a referee who stepped in to stop the auction, when the guy I bought it from said, "Hey, he said 'Sold' ". The prior bike auctioned went for well over $30K (very rare bike) and after the excitement of that, few people were paying much attention when this one slipped-by.

    He got it for $1400. I got it for $2K. They said it's probably the lowest mileage Aermacchi Harely-Davidson 350SX in existence. Who knows? But it's nice to think it "might be"!

    Runs like a top!
     
  12. Zack

    Zack Formula 3

    Dec 18, 2003
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    Nicosia, Cyprus/Cali
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    #12 Zack, Jul 24, 2012
    Original exhaust routing looks like a good way to roast your crotch. Sure you don't want to keep it as it is? Doesn't look bad at all.

    Congrats on the purchase. I think you got a great deal. Enjoy!
     
  13. DavidDriver

    DavidDriver F1 Rookie

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    #13 DavidDriver, Jul 24, 2012
    Thank you! :D

    I think the owner's son (whose bike it was) probably wanted the 350SS instead of the SX. The SS has the lower pipes. In fact, the original split into two pipes with one on either side. But I like the enduro look.

    The 2nd hand one I received with the bike has a hole the size of a dime in it. And it's pretty rusty. So it needs some work. I guess it'll depend on how much it costs to fix it.

    Until then though, it's fine the way it is. I suppose it could use a side panel on that side (like the SS has) to hide the "guts". But it's certainly not necessary.

    Thanks again!

    BTW: I've moved this tread to the motorcycle section, since it's probably more appropriate there now that I've got my DMV question settled! LOL!!
     

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