Titles

Have to say awesome website, thanks for all the great info. Now on to silly question. I have 2 parts bikes, a 1981 seca 750 and a 1983 maxim 650, neither have titles. Does anyone know if I could buy a frame with a clean title and "build" a running bike using that title to regiter the bike. In order to title either of my parts bikes I would need to track down the last owner who held the title assuming they are living. Bikes were purchased for $25 each, they were soon to be cut up for scrap metals. I have one bike running. Any thoughts, advice? Thanks

 

It depends on where you live. If you lived here in Michigan, it would be very easy, relatively cheap and only a little time-consuming.

You need to check your Department of State/DMV/Secretary of State (whatever you call it in PA) website, and I believe you'll find your answers.

 

Thanks Bigfitz, I will check that out, it seems it would be the least painful way to produce a usable bike, hate to part them all out.

 

I would think that a frame with the white "V.I.N." sticker that's intact would be acceptable to the DMV, I myself will be destroying that very sticker when I have my frame repaired and repainted, but I already have a title. In addition to the sticker, there is a frame number stamped into the steering head, and this number may be linked to the VIN. Good luck.

 

To answer your question, the title goes with the frame, not any of the other parts. Rebuiling on another titled frame is always an option if titling the existing frames is too difficult.

Also, in reference to the "sticker" if you have a choice, I'd advise that the title match the stamped number. The stamp lasts a lot longer than the sticker and is harder to alter. It either matches the sticker number, or is a 9 digit "version" of the 17 digit number. Your DMV might not like 1982 or later vehicles not having 17-digit VINs

 

Thanks for the help, that seems like the easiest way to go. Gotta love this website.

 

No No, to be clear, I think Fitz's way might be the easiest. The only hassle is dealing with the DMV. You should try if first, and if all else fails, get another frame.

If you have to go through a "title service" then getting another frame might be cheaper if you're gonna tear it down anyway.

 

There is another thread on this site discussing the titiling of a non titled bike. Find it and message it's author. He has good info though I have not tried it personally.

 

Also, one detail: If all you have is a 9-digit VIN, the full 17-digit VIN can be "reverse engineered" from it.

The white label on the neck should contain the full 17-digit VIN; the stamped number is (generally) the "shorty" VIN.

 

And I think that might be more of an issue for 1982 bikes that were manufactured in 1981, but sold in 1982, when the standardization of the VIN went into full effect (correct me if I'm wrong on this). I think my 1982 turbo seca has a 17 digit VIN stamped.

I suggest TRYING to have, one way or another, a title that matches the stamped VIN, because I imagine it's easier to point to it and say, "See there's the VIN" than explain to the DMV, "Excuse me but you can convert a 9 digit VIN to a 17 Digit vin for a 1982 yamaha by putting JYA in front (that's the manufacturer's code for Yamaha), then the model code, add a few digits for year and check digit, zeros for options, then tack on the final 6 digits as the serial number"

It's interesting information for us, but I've found that ypically, the people behind the counter at those places don't care

 

There were 17-digit VINs in 1981 also. As a matter of fact, they became standard for the 1981 model year; my '81, although manufactured 12/80, has a 17-digit VIN.

My '74 Norton, however, has a 6-digit serial number, period.

 

in this state, just part it out or get it titled in another user friendly state and then get it titled here.
a "enhanced" inspection station might be a place to ask.
last time i asked, a enhanced inspection for a reconstructed title was about 250$

 

In Massachusetts, the DMV will ASSIGN a NEW VIN for you to use after buying a used Frame and reconditioning it.

You buy a frame and restore it. You must remove the former VIN.
After you have the Frame restored and repainted; you need the Frame and Engine Number to show the Mass State Police you are building from scratch and are requesting an Inspection for an Assigned VIN Number.

There's fees for applications, inspections and your personal VIN.

 

Here in Ga 85 and older bikes don't need a title not even a notarized bill of sale if there are no liens on the bike you can register it but they don't issue a title. I have a few older bikes with no titles and would love to get titles for them

 

I'm glad I live in Ontario Canada, All we need here to register a untitled bike is:

1 Bill of sale
2 Used vehicle package of Dept of Transport cost under $20 bucks
3 Proof that you tried to get original title from previous registered owner, proof is receipt from registered letter sent to last registered owners address.
4 A check with local police to see if the vehicle has been stolen.

I have seen a number of bikes for sale cheap due to a lack of a title here.

 

NY is a pain. You MUST have a clean, clear, open title to sign. If you don't, you're not getting anything done. The easiest way by far, is to pick up a bike w/ blown engine, missing parts, whatever.......as long as you can get a good title. Tear the bike apart, sell the parts and keep what you need. Do a complete frame swap, building your bike as you go. Take the title to DMV, fill out the papers, pay the fees and walk away with your reg. in hand and the title will come in the mail later. Done that many times.

Dave

 

Washington is easy but it takes a while. Buy the bike, get a bill of sale, fill out the lost title paperwork, and REGISTER the bike. You pay for the registration for the year and the plates and sales tax. No insurance at all required on a motorcycle. Ride the bike like you own it for a year. Pay to register the second year and continue riding it. When you register it the 3rd year you pay for and receive a title in your name.

Pretty easy really.

Loren