Bill of sale vs. title purchase advice

taylormade21

taylormade21

Well-known member
In need of some advise. Looking into purchasing a track bike to toy with. But has anyone had any expeirence in buying bikes with bill of sale only?
I know to have common since when making a purchase, but what would be some concerns to buying without a title?
Would it be worth while to go through dmv to try and obtain the pink slip to the bike?
Any insight would be appreciated!
Thanks.
 
auntiebling

auntiebling

megalomaniacal troglodyte
Staff member
taylormade21 said:
In need of some advise. Looking into purchasing a track bike to toy with. But has anyone had any expeirence in buying bikes with bill of sale only?
Click to expand...
once, a little.

the signed california title IS a bill of sale.

the CA reg 135 official form if the title isn't available. you can also include the same information on any piece of paper if you wish.

the convenient thing about the official title/BOS is that being an official piece of paper you're reasonably well assured that the person whose name matches that paper is the legal owner.

I know to have common since when making a purchase, but what would be some concerns to buying without a title?
Click to expand...

i would want to see some kind of official paperwork stating that the person selling is the legal owner instead of just the last guy that got a BOS for a track bike. the official title could be long lost from whomever the last registered owner is, from several "sales" ago. registration paperwork, even if long expired, is decent here, but not bulletproof.

being a track bike, without such proof it's very possible that the bill of sale you have might as well be signed by Harvey the Rabbit because there is no link between the last legal owner, and the person selling it unless they also have a BOS stating such and they may have bought it in similar circumstances adding yet more BsOS

Would it be worth while to go through dmv to try and obtain the pink slip to the bike?
Any insight would be appreciated!
Thanks.
Click to expand...

it kinda depends on your end goal. as far as the state is going to care, without the original title and a paper chain showing you legally obtained it, you don't own the bike.
 
buellistic

buellistic

Well-known member
If you are on the way to the track and get pulled over for a light out or something.
And the officer ask for reg. for the bike in the back of the truck.....
There could be a problem...
 
mototireguy

mototireguy

Moto Tire Veteran
Sometimes LEOs visit the track checking bike VINs against hotlists.

Some stolen bikes are sometimes recovered. A bill if sale only bike is risky business.
 
RickM

RickM

Well-known member
I have bought track bikes and parts bikes with a bill of sale only and the person selling not being the registered owner. But I always call DMV and check it's not hot. So far no trouble. That doesn't mean it's necessarily risk free.
 
bpw

bpw

Well-known member
It only costs $20 to get a replacement title from the DMV. If the seller won't do that or go to the DMV with you to get the new title in your name I would pass. The potential headache is not worth it to you just so the seller can dodge paying taxes.
 
rodr

rodr

Well-known member
^^^ Yep.

When the seller doesn't have the title that surely means they can't get one.
 
corndog67

corndog67

Pissant Squid
rodr said:
^^^ Yep.

When the seller doesn't have the title that surely means they can't get one.
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Not surely. It seems like about 50% of the people I've bought bikes from, were barely able to function in real society. That means uninsured, unregistered, untransferred, is usually standard operating procedure. The KX I just bought is exactly that. Spacey welder owner, not registered for a few years, and the price reflected that.
 
taylormade21

taylormade21

Well-known member
Went to dmv with the vin#. Was told that it had been dropped out of their records. Clerk gave me a title/registration transfer for, statement of facts and a bill of sale to fill out and return. He told me that would be enough for the title to be put in my name. Sounds like things should work out right?
 
Roadstergal

Roadstergal

Sergeant Jackrum
rodr said:
When the seller doesn't have the title that surely means they can't get one.
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Or that they don't bother because it's a trackbike. There are some long-time race/track bikes floating around BARF that haven't had a title for several owners. It's definitely a matter of your own personal comfort level to have one or not.
 
FXCLM5

FXCLM5

bombaclaud
hey barf,

there is a trackbike posted in the for sale forum that is coming with a BOS, however the current owner took the current bike he is trying to sell as a trade, he gave his bike + title to the other guy, and took this current bike but never got the title, this was done a few years ago.

it just so happens the trade between the 2x individuals happened on barf via pm, however it seems the current seller is having difficulties contacting the previous owner getting some kind of facts or statements from him stating this was a trade.

since this was a direct trade, it seems there was never a bos for the trade itself.

ive contacted dmv, this bike has not been reg since 09 and has close to $800 in backfees, my local pd - the receptionist basically said no - what your asking is a misdemeanor - checking to see if a vehicle is reported as stolen??? I think she was on her rag or something cuz her attitude was nassty, she was already laying into some other dood when i walked in and when she was done she was all like wtf you want attitude.
 
afm199

afm199

Well-known member
There are reasons you can't get a title. If the Bike is MCO/MSO bike, sold with a certificate of sale by the manufacturer you will NEVER get one. You will have the certificate. Lots of guys buy bikes like this. I have one right now and recently sold one.

PS, at the track you are under NO obligation to get in line and let the CHP check your bike. Just park far away and wait till they leave.
 
gixxerjeff

gixxerjeff

Dogs best friend
What about the other way around?
I bought a track bike and have the signed pink slip but no bill of sale.
Is that going to hang me up?
 
RickM

RickM

Well-known member
gixxerjeff said:
What about the other way around?
I bought a track bike and have the signed pink slip but no bill of sale.
Is that going to hang me up?
Click to expand...

If the title only has a signature you should be fine. But if it's dated, you might have to pay the penalties for late transfer or , submit a statement of facts if you can't get a BOS for transfers before you.. ymmv..

I am pretty sure signed title plus bos from the last seller to you is all you need. Each bos only transfer will add $7
 
afm199

afm199

Well-known member
FXCLM5 said:
hey barf,

there is a trackbike posted in the for sale forum that is coming with a BOS, however the current owner took the current bike he is trying to sell as a trade, he gave his bike + title to the other guy, and took this current bike but never got the title, this was done a few years ago.

it just so happens the trade between the 2x individuals happened on barf via pm, however it seems the current seller is having difficulties contacting the previous owner getting some kind of facts or statements from him stating this was a trade.

since this was a direct trade, it seems there was never a bos for the trade itself.

ive contacted dmv, this bike has not been reg since 09 and has close to $800 in backfees, my local pd - the receptionist basically said no - what your asking is a misdemeanor - checking to see if a vehicle is reported as stolen??? I think she was on her rag or something cuz her attitude was nassty, she was already laying into some other dood when i walked in and when she was done she was all like wtf you want attitude.
Click to expand...

Go to a local PD and walk in and ask a desk officer to run it. They usually will.

File a lien on the bike. They will send the lien notice to the previous registered owner.
 
Cincinnatus

Cincinnatus

Not-quite retired Army
Go to another DMV office on a Friday around 3:30 and explain. Smile a lot, be uber-nice, sympathize with their workload, yada-yada-yada. If they still say no or say it'll cost $$$, tell them not to bother & you'll be parting it out. Since that way they get zero $, they may (repeat MAY) give you a break. :thumbup
 
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