How do I get a title for this motorcycle or get rid of it? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mr.Kenny · #1 03-31-2010, 02:07 PM

So I bought this non- running junk motorcycle 12 years ago at a yard sale no title on the spot

; the seller "promised to find the title" ("going through a divorce yada yada"). After hounding him for a while, he ignores me, he disappears. He's gone. Foolishly I put a bunch of custom work into this 1971 cb450 in anticipation of getting a proper title someday...

11 years ago I perused the issue and gave up.The bike is not stolen because the license plates showed him as the last owner. I do have a bill of sale from him and that is all. The VIN does not show up on the Missouri DMV data base anymore.
QUESTION:What is the easiest way of getting a title.... Through another state? (I live in MO.)
Or: how do I go about selling it/ trading it where the buyer won't come back asking for a title or their money back and I am at square one?
(I no longer have any interest or motivation in riding or pursuing messing with this motorcycle; but I know it would be a gem to someone else.)
Any real suggestions will be welcome.

SwampYankee · #2 03-31-2010, 02:10 PM

Last sentence aside, ship it to me and I'll find it a good home.

JollyRoger · #3 03-31-2010, 02:44 PM

You have a Bill of Sale, which is good. You can file a small claims action against the owner in a small claims court, arguing that he did not act in good faith and did not transfer you the title, send the court summons to him, at which point he will either send you the title, or most likely, completely blow you off and not show up in court, or you don't know where he is, so you have to take some ad out in the paper attempting to find him according to the laws of your state, you do that, go to court finally, which point the judge will declare you title holder of the vehicle when you show a good faith attempt to find the seller and show the bill of sale. Judge gives you a court order. At that point, you'd take the court order to the DMV and get a title. This will cost you the filing fee and a $hitload of legwork, but you don't need an attorney for small claims court, so it is the easiest way to go. Alternative: get your wrench out and sell it piece by piece over ebay. Big market for that bike parts wise.

JohnM. · #4 03-31-2010, 02:47 PM

Have you tried researching "title services"? They are very popular for the classic car / motorcycle crowd.....costs between $150-$250.

Angel · #5 03-31-2010, 03:06 PM

In Ohio there is a 'abandoned vehicle' procedure. Basically- if the vehicle has been abandoned on property that you own(/rent/control) for moer than 6mo, you can go to the courthouse and request a title in your name. You'll need to sign an affidavit stating such (they recommended I hand write something and have the bank across the street notarize it) and it costed me $180, $120 of which I got back a few weeks later.

Something to look into

-John

Txjake · #6 03-31-2010, 03:10 PM

selling it? pm me...I don't care about title, as long as you give a bill of sale

JollyRoger · #7 03-31-2010, 04:01 PM

Damn those were sweet bikes. I had one in high school. Cost me $300, a whole summer's wages.

JollyRoger · #8 03-31-2010, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angel

In Ohio there is a 'abandoned vehicle' procedure. Basically- if the vehicle has been abandoned on property that you own(/rent/control) for moer than 6mo, you can go to the courthouse and request a title in your name. You'll need to sign an affidavit stating such (they recommended I hand write something and have the bank across the street notarize it) and it costed me $180, $120 of which I got back a few weeks later.

Something to look into

-John

Hey, look what I found with the little Google thingee:

http://dor.mo.gov/mvdl/motorv/forms/abvmanual.pdf

Quote:

To receive an original certificate of title on an ABV, a Vehicle Examination Certificate (DOR-551), must be submitted with the application for title and other required documentation. A DOR-551 can be obtained by submitting a $25 fee and $2.50 processing fee to any office or, with a written request, to the Driver and Vehicle Services Bureau's Central Office, P. O. Box 100, Jefferson City 65105-0100.
The top portion of the DOR-551 must be completed in full and signed by the applicant. The bottom portion must be completed by an officer of the Missouri State Highway Patrol or Auto Theft in the county or City of St. Louis.
If application for title is not made within six months of the inspection date documented on the DOR-551, the unit will have to be inspected again.
If the completed DOR-551 shows that the public vehicle identification number is missing from the vehicle, a completed and signed Application for Replacement Vehicle Identification Number (DOR- 923), must be submitted. The DOR-923 must be certified by a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol or Auto Theft in the county or City of St. Louis.
The ABV may be operated on the public streets/highways for the sole purpose of obtaining a DOR-551 by purchasing a driveaway permit to display on the unit. The ABV must be driven over the most direct route between where the unit is stored and the appropriate law enforcement's inspection station where vehicle examinations are conducted.

That applies to tow companies, but I bet you could use the same procedure. Sounds like the first place to call is the Missouri Highway Patrol to get the proper forms.

KarTek · #9 03-31-2010, 04:15 PM

If that doesn't work, you may be able to buy an indemnity bond from your insurance company for the value of the vehicle. Probably less than $100 for that bike. This bond is essentially insurance against the bike being stolen.

Combine the I-bond with the proper DMV paperwork and you're all set.

I had to do this for my UNIMOG since it was somewhat inconvenient to return to Switzerland for additional signatures and documentation from the Swiss government...

Skid Row Joe · #10 03-31-2010, 04:33 PM

Put it on craigslist for $350 and take $300 for it.

JollyRoger · #11 03-31-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarTek

If that doesn't work, you may be able to buy an indemnity bond from your insurance company for the value of the vehicle. .......

And then what, set it on fire or report it stolen?

bgkast · #12 03-31-2010, 05:02 PM

Around here (Washington) you can have the state patrol inspect the bike, run the VIN to check if it is stolen and then get a 2 year temporary title which allows you to use and sell the bike like normal. After 2 years they then issue a real title. I would imagine most states have a similar procedure.

kip Foss · #13 03-31-2010, 05:27 PM

You might be able to claim it under a mechanic's lien. You only have to say that the previous owner brought it to you to repair and failed to pick it up. In Texas a verbal agreement is as good as a written one so you wouldn't need to produce a contract. Talk to the DMV about the procedure.

catmandoo62 · #14 03-31-2010, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

Around here (Washington) you can have the state patrol inspect the bike, run the VIN to check if it is stolen and then get a 2 year temporary title which allows you to use and sell the bike like normal. After 2 years they then issue a real title. I would imagine most states have a similar procedure.

in iowa it's 3 years.and you have to bond it at 1 1/2 times the value of the vehicle.

Matt L · #15 03-31-2010, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kip Foss

You might be able to claim it under a mechanic's lien. You only have to say that the previous owner brought it to you to repair and failed to pick it up. In Texas a verbal agreement is as good as a written one so you wouldn't need to produce a contract. Talk to the DMV about the procedure.

That would require lying on a form where he will have promised to tell the truth.

The truth will get him the bike easily enough. No need to sell it to SRJ for $300.