Another lost title thread

[worntorn]

Yes, things have really changed. The DBD34s went for peanuts at last years Mecum sale.
The weird thing was that a Super Rocket brought a much higher price than the Goldstars.
It used to be the other way around, the SRs were cheap like borscht and DBD Goldstars very dear.

Glen

 

[Peter Restaino]

Have followed a recently closed online motorcycle consignment auction. It was at a place called Mach IV Motors in Appleton, Wisconsin, here in the U.S. I believe they have this as an anual event. A 1959 Norton International, in running condition, sold for $17,000. It was the highest selling priced bike of the over 100 bikes that were sold. This bike was listed that it did have a title, but the majority of the other bikes were listed as "No Title" bikes. I know this has been covered in other threads on this forum, and on other forums/message boards that I belong to, but the topic of buying untitled bikes, or cars/trucks or whatever I guess will alway be something for discussion. Since every bike listed did sell, and as I said there were over 100 bikes, there are obviously buyers out there willing to buy untitled bikes. If purchasing an untitled bike strictly as a parts bike, then that is less important, But if a bike is complete and nice enough to consider wanting to get it to be able to ride it on the road, the "no title" tag has always made me pass on what otherwise may have been a tempting purchase. When an individual has such a bike listed for sale, and says "you could obtain a lost title", I suspect in most case he has never personally done so. They make it sound like it's a simple process, but in reality, many indicate that it is not simple and can be an involved and expensive endeavor. If it was as easy as these sellers make it sound, then why did they not obtain it themselves. To complicate things, here in the U.S. anyway, the procedure for obtaining lost or replacement titles vary from state to state and there is no uniformity. Seems a shame that so many old/vintage bikes will never be brought back to be able to ride them on the road because of the no title issue. I will continue to pass on bikes without one. If others here have actually been through this process, would like to hear about their experience and how much time, trouble, and expense they had to deal with, and what state they're in.

I found a shed find delapidated 1970 Commando S no title. . Does anybody know the proceedure to obtain one in NewYork. I ran the sn and no record.

 

[NPeteN]

I found a shed find delapidated 1970 Commando S no title. . Does anybody know the proceedure to obtain one in NewYork. I ran the sn and no record.

Bill of sale, or VIN verification and proof of insurance for vehicles before 74. Did you actually "find" it or was there a seller involved? I registered my bike in NY a few years back with only a bill of sale and proof of insurance, not sure if rules have changed as I no longer live in NY.

 

[Peter Restaino]

Bill of sale, or VIN verification and proof of insurance for vehicles before 74. Did you actually "find" it or was there a seller involved? I registered my bike in NY a few years back with only a bill of sale and proof of insurance, not sure if rules have changed as I no longer live in NY.

I purchased it from a guy who wasnt the owner and I ran the vin by asking a cop friend who works in nyc to run it and it didnt exist in the database.

 

[speirmoor]

Some info here for NY

Proof of Ownership is Not Available | NY DMV

What to do if you do not have proof of ownership for a vehicle.

dmv.ny.gov

 

[Peter Restaino]

Some info here for NY

Proof of Ownership is Not Available | NY DMV

What to do if you do not have proof of ownership for a vehicle.

dmv.ny.gov

thanks

 

[quawk]

More responses, and as I suspected, more variances from state to state as to how they differ in dealing with trying to chase down or obtaining a title on a lost/no title vehicle. As if it's not compicated enough, it seems purchasing a bike/vehicle from out or state, and then trying to get a title and or registration in your own state makes it even more difficult. I find the response from member Denis J interesting in that, even living in the most populace state in the U.S., and their DMV has to be a nightmare, he seems to be able to navigate the title trail and have positive results, even though it may take some time. As he said, patience and perserverance are key, and maybe I just don't have enough of that. As an aside from the frustration of trying to obtain a lost or replacement title for vehicles without one, when you do go to transfer a title for those vehicles that do have them. at least here in Illinois, besides the title transfer fee you then pay sales tax on the vehicle. My gripe is that many of these old bikes and vintage or just plain old cars have been bought and sold many times in their existance and every time it is, at least here in Illinois, sales tax is paid again and again. How many times should sales tax have to be paid on the same item? Another revenue generator for the state. Others can chime in here and say whether that is the case in their home state.

 

[Jonez69]

I have used Saints Engine and Machine in Tennessee. It will cost you $400 for his service, but it works. You'll have a title in 4 weeks. Go to the website for details.

 

[Jonez69]

In Iowa, a bill of sale is required to transfer a title. I don't think you can register any motor vehicle to obtain a license plate, without a proper title.
Also in Iowa, if you live in a metro area and working with the DMV is a hassle in that county, you can go to any county that shares a border or corner with the county you live in and register. Generally, title work in these small county court houses is little or no waiting, walk in to be greeted by friendly, knowledgeable people and get what you need!

 

[rightshiftrick]

As if it's not compicated enough, it seems purchasing a bike/vehicle from out or state, and then trying to get a title and or registration in your own state makes it even more difficult. I find the response from member Denis J interesting in that, even living in the most populace state in the U.S., and their DMV has to be a nightmare, he seems to be able to navigate the title trail and have positive results, even though it may take some time.

I lived in California (Bay Area) for a few years, and can attest that patience is needed for dealing with the DMV. I brought my 1969 Commando with me, and had to make multiple trips to the DMV to get them to inspect and title my bike, even though I had a current New Hampshire title and registration for it when I moved there. I remember one frustrating trip where the inspector refused the registration because the red ID plate stated that the bike complied with all us safety standards and laws. The inspector decided that the bike wasn't in compliance because there were no turn signals and the VIN only had 6 numbers. I tried to explain that the bike was built before those requirements were necessary, and was built to the requirements of 1969, but was not approved. I had to make an additional trip, with another inspector, before it was approved.

RSR

 

[JimNH]

Not a bike but my 1954 MG TF. NH was not a title state until sometime this century. I had a bill of sale for my MG and the local police ran the VIN and inspected the data plate. Title was issued easily. You still don't need a title to register old vehicles but it's not hard to get one.

 

[quawk]

In Iowa, a bill of sale is required to transfer a title. I don't think you can register any motor vehicle to obtain a license plate, without a proper title.
Also in Iowa, if you live in a metro area and working with the DMV is a hassle in that county, you can go to any county that shares a border or corner with the county you live in and register. Generally, title work in these small county court houses is little or no waiting, walk in to be greeted by friendly, knowledgeable people and get what you need!

Here again, another (big) difference in a bordering state just across the river to my west. I can assure you, our local small rural county courthouse does no vehicle title work, nor does any other county courthouse in the state of Illinois. It is all done through the Illinois Driver's License Facilities which operate under the Secretary of State of Illinois. The employees that work there are state employees. I find it funny that you make the remark of "little or no waiting" and to "walk in to be greeted by friendly, knoledgeable people and get what you need." For many years I could attest to the staff at out nearest DLFacility weren't exactly friendly, and you were required to take a number and go sit down and wait until they called your number regardless of how many others were in there. The staff acted like everyone that walked in was a PITA and they were doing you a favor by waiting on you. As another aside note, when our current governor was elected to office, a number of years ago, the staff in our nearest DLFacility was doubled and all state emplyees received an immediate 15% raise. Yes, the staff became somewhat friendlier, but they then had twice as many people to do the job. A recent news story indicates that the governor's office projects a $3.2 billion (billion with a B) dollar budget defiecit for FY 2026.

 

[quawk]

Not a bike but my 1954 MG TF. NH was not a title state until sometime this century. I had a bill of sale for my MG and the local police ran the VIN and inspected the data plate. Title was issued easily. You still don't need a title to register old vehicles but it's not hard to get one.

Just about unbelievable compared to Illinois. Read my response to Jeonez69 above. Was NH the state the many out of state people were going to to get an untitled vehicle titled in that state, and would then transfer it to their home state? I thought I had heard or read that loophole had been closed some time ago.

 

[JimNH]

Just about unbelievable compared to Illinois. Read my response to Jeonez69 above. Was NH the state the many out of state people were going to to get an untitled vehicle titled in that state, and would then transfer it to their home state? I thought I had heard or read that loophole had been closed some time ago.

Well, you'd have to actually live here to do it as far as I know so unless you made some sort of straw sale I don't see how. I suspect that'd be illegal.

 

[NPeteN]

Just about unbelievable compared to Illinois. Read my response to Jeonez69 above. Was NH the state the many out of state people were going to to get an untitled vehicle titled in that state, and would then transfer it to their home state? I thought I had heard or read that loophole had been closed some time ago.

That was Vermont. Loophole closed last year.

 

[speirmoor]

I have used Saints Engine and Machine in Tennessee. It will cost you $400 for his service, but it works. You'll have a title in 4 weeks. Go to the website for details.

I heard good things about these guys at the AMCA meet @ Oley last year. They had signs situated all over the meet so they're active in the vintage community.