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New member, new bike, but no title :(

Discussion in 'XJ Technical Chat' started by Wombat, Jul 9, 2008.

  1. Wombat

    Wombat Member

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    I picked up a 1981 Yamaha Maxim 650 last week for a, well, pretty good price. It was kind of a package deal sort of thing...buy this and I'll give you this for free. Anyway, I had no idea of the condition of the bike and it was REALLY rough around the edges with a lot of it taken apart, but much to my surprise, the guy had all of the parts and just gave them to me. I assumed this to just be a parts bike since it came with no keys or title so if it came to it, I could take it to the scrapyard and make 50 bucks. But, I decided to try and see if I could get the thing to run...

    So, with little hope, I began to tear into the carbs, which were still on the bike and still connected to the gas tank...wonderful. The thing had been sitting for over a decade so I knew I was in for trouble. Surprisingly, only one float was stuck and it took some convincing to get the float pin out. I did a pretty haphazard carburetor clean since I just wanted to see if I could get the thing to run. Heck, I even used "the right stuff" gasket maker on the float bowls since I didn't even want to spend $20 for paper gaskets (you're not supposed to use the gasket maker on seals that are exposed to fuel). So, I slapped the carbs back on the engine and even fed it the decade old gas in the tank! Hotwired the ignition switch and I'll let the video speak for itself (pardon the title, I don't mean it!):

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=MSQ6UOWZOMQ

    I couldn't believe it...the thing ran great! There wasn't much gas left in the tank so I ran it until it was dry and added some fresh fuel only to find that it didn't really like it all that much and I was having a lot of trouble getting it to idle properly and stay running. Anyway, I decided to rip apart the carbs again and soak them in boiling lemon juice to really clean them up. It was my first time doing the lemon juice thing, but at $1.20/quart, I figured I'd give it a shot. I couldn't believe the results...these carbs almost look new again! I'm confident that once I get this bike back together again, it'll run like new ;)

    Now, to my problem...I didn't think I could get this bike to run well, let alone at all, but now that it's running, I kind of want to register, insure, and ride the thing! But, with no title, I don't really know what to do or how to even go about getting a new title. I figure the first thing I need to do is get some sort of written receipt from the previous owner, but that's another problem. I found this via an ad in a paper I picked up and called from my work phone so I no longer have the number and I can't find the paper that I found the classified ad in. I suppose I could drive back to where I picked the thing up, but it wasn't even at the persons house, just some storage shed that they had a bunch of stuff in, but their house was miles away.

    So, is there a way to somehow get a title for this bike? Or would I be better off buying a bare frame w/title and transferring parts from one to the other? I feel like that would be my best course of action, or buying an XJ with a blown motor, but they don't seem to pop up very often in the classifieds.

    Anyway, that's my story and if anyone can offer me some help, I'd be very grateful! Thank you.
     
  2. chadwickm

    chadwickm Member

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    Title Service

    These folks should be able to fix you up; $165.00 US. Assuming of course it's not been reported stolen! I've also had some luck taking the VIN to a police sub station and having them run it to get the last registered owner.
     
  3. PaulT

    PaulT Member

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    Where are you located?

    In NH, nothing over 15 yrs old gets titled.
     
  4. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Vehicle titles are handled differently state-by-state. Contact your DMV or whatever they're called where you live (in Michigan we call it the Secretary of State) and inquire about getting a "salvage" title. Most states have some sort of provision for titling/registering vehicles that have been assembled from parts. Motorcycle (and auto) restorers and hot rodders need to do this quite often. The state's primary concern is that the vehicle (or parts) aren't stolen. If the vehicle is old enough, often a written statement as to the source is enough (again, different state-by-state.)
     
  5. Wombat

    Wombat Member

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    Thanks guys!

    I'm located in NJ and I haven't read our rules yet for titling and whatnot. The only thing stolen about the bike is the steal-of-a-price I got it for ;) However, what worries me is that I only had verbal consent from the previous owner (and I'm simply assuming he was the previous owner, I really don't know). I went to pick up another item from him and inquired about the XJ sitting in the corner of the shop.

    "Oh, that? Yea, if you can load it up on your truck, its yours!"

    I don't think the guy would have reported it stolen, but I can't say that with 100% certainty.
     
  6. chadwickm

    chadwickm Member

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    I'd ask for some kind of bill of sale from him, even if it's just for a dollar. Covers your ass if there is any issues.
     
  7. Wombat

    Wombat Member

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    That's another issue. Finding him. I picked up the bike at an old shop of his, but it wasn't near his house and he met me there. I suppose I could go back to this shop and wait around until he comes back...whether that be hours, days, or years. I'd probably be arrested for trespassing before he came back.
     
  8. chadwickm

    chadwickm Member

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    OUCH! :-(
     
  9. Wombat

    Wombat Member

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    Yea, it was one of those nonchalant type of transactions. "Bah, take the thing, I don't want it anymore." I'm the idiot who thought it wouldn't actually run!
     
  10. chadwickm

    chadwickm Member

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    All is not lost! Check with your local DMV and use the title service if needed. A FREE bike is usually worth $165.00 to get it titled.
     
  11. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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  12. Wombat

    Wombat Member

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    Don't be sorry. I'm looking to move from here in the next year or so because I can't stand it.

    That form looks interesting and it seems like I can apply for a title even thought I don't have one? Once I get a salvage title, I think I need to somehow obtain a regular title before I can insure it.
     
  13. 85MaximXX

    85MaximXX Member

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    not necessarily my bike has a salvage title and is insured, plated and all. I bought mine from the second owner and actually was given the original salvage title from the first owner in the paperwork. Apparently the first owner layed the bike down and bent the forks the insurance company didn't want to pay to fix it so he bought it back and replaced the forks and all but now it is stuck with a salvage title.
     
  14. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Yeah, but you're in MI too...he has a few more flaming hoops than here to jump thru in NJ but it looks do-able...
     
  15. Wombat

    Wombat Member

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    So I found an old insurance and registration card under the seat in that black plastic holder. It has the name, address, and phone number of a previous owner, but it's definitely not the guy I got the bike from....

    ...kind of makes you wonder

    My next post will be from behind bars!
     

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