Registering a 28 year old bike with NO PAPERWORK?

[reckon]

I figured this would be the proper forum,..and yes I did a search, but came up with nothing I can really use,...so,......

I recently acquired another 1982 yamaha vision for free (I just had to haul it away), and was going to use it for parts as it had a clean tank and exhaust (parts that disintegrate over time),........on a whim I charged the battery, drained and changed the oil, pulled and cleaned the carbs, and filled it with fresh gas and lo and behold after only about 30 seconds of cranking it fired up and sounds really good actually.
the front end is hosed (forks bent beyond any chance of repair), but I have 2 more of these things (I know, I know) and can do a front end swap in about 30-45 minutes.

IF, I wanted to go and reg this thing, how do I go about it with absolutely NO paperwork, and no bill of sale?, no chance of contacting the previous owner, he's deceased (the bike was given to me by a friend that was doing the hauling from the estate)...the bike has a CA blue and gold plate with whatevers left of the reg sticker scratched out beyond legibility (orange sticker)

I checked the VIN# on the CA-DMV website, and it came up:
unable to process, no record found,...so I guess that means the title is clear, not stolen at least. (cant get through on DMV phone, keeps saying "more than 10 minutes wait, call back tomorrow") :wtf

so how do I go about this?,...cant ride it to the dmv,.......no paperwork,...drive down in the cage and bring in the plate?

I'm SURE many of you know the answer to this

wot do I do?

 

[Enchanter]

Do you have a link to the DMV page you used to search for the VIN? That would be useful to me.

 

[WopdegoDubc]

After 7 years I believe it falls off the dmv's list. So you might have to apply for a new title all together.

 

[TheRomanSF415x]

i think a 262 transfer form and a paperless title form pink paper should do it.

if its not stolen or anything of that nature..

 

[Marlowe]

If I were you I'd be careful with the plate off that thing at first, lest DMV try to hit you up for back registration fees. It should be long out of their system, but just in case...

Disclaimer: Not familiar with CA process, but in most states, if there's absolutely no paperwork and you can't find the PO:

DMV may be ask you to post a bond for the value of the vehicle (should be cheap on a bike that old) for some number of years (usually around 3) with your title application. Basically, they want an instrument to cover the amount the vehicle is worth if someone else claims it is theirs.

Then you'd be issued a bonded title for that period of time. If the time period elapses and nobody else claims ownership of the vehicle, you'd be issued a regular title.

Don't know how this process (if it exists; I'd assume so) functions in CA. I'd assume you'd have to jump through some more hoops, and likely a CHP verification on the way.

EDIT:

You could also see if the estate wants to get a duplicate title issued, and then transfer it to you. Your buddy should know who is the executor. That might be easier/cheaper, might not, depending on them. EDIT EDIT: At least you could probably get them to fill out a bill of sale....

 

[Lester Green]

check into one of these places. it's probably 150-200 bucks. but i think they will be most helpful in the registration and titling process.
http://www.google.com/search?q=vehi...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

 

[GPzPop]

It can be done. Use dmv "misc statement of facts" to describe ownership trail

Make appointment with chp for vin inspection. They give you the completed form to take back to the dmv

I have done this successfully to plate my "free" bike

Pm me with more specific ???'s

--S

 

[reckon]

Do you have a link to the DMV page you used to search for the VIN? That would be useful to me.

https://mv.dmv.ca.gov/FeeCalculatorWeb/usedVehicleForm.do

it's actually the reg fee calculator,......but when you get the "unable to process: application in progress",....then you know the vehicle has back fees due.........

thanks for all the helps, another reason teh barf PWNZ!


I'm goin to drop in at the DMV tomorrow (unless it's closed due to lack of funding!) and get the forms, and start in on the front end swap.

thanks again

:thumbup

 

[duh_ave]

It can be done. Use dmv "misc statement of facts" to describe ownership trail

Make appointment with chp for vin inspection. They give you the completed form to take back to the dmv

I have done this successfully to plate my "free" bike

Pm me with more specific ???'s

--S

X2

any officer can do the VIN verification and I have even had the DMV people do them too. Just depends on the day.
I agree on tossing the plate, but if its off the system, it's all off, so no need to worry about back fees.

Next time tho, it may be a good idea just to pay $1 for it and get the bill of sale. Just shows legit possession if questions come up.

 

[reckon]

If I were you I'd be careful with the plate off that thing at first, lest DMV try to hit you up for back registration fees. It should be long out of their system, but just in case...

I just don't get this,......why?

and also the recommendation to "toss the plate"?? :|

please explain briefly, if possible

 

[Marlowe]

I wasn't suggesting you toss it -- but I was responding to your "drive down in the cage and bring in the plate?" question.

If you walk into DMV with the plate off the thing, it may look to them like you're trying to renew the registration (plate == registration). Or they'll have no record of that plate at this point and stare at you blankly, then ask you to surrender that plate to them.

What you really want is just to apply for title at this stage, and register it when you've replaced that front end and it's actually ready for the road. I wouldn't bring plates up at all until you're ready to register it -- that's all I meant by that.

 

[reckon]

I wasn't suggesting you toss it -- but I was responding to your "drive down in the cage and bring in the plate?" question.

If you walk into DMV with the plate off the thing, it may look to them like you're trying to renew the registration (plate == registration). Or they'll have no record of that plate at this point and stare at you blankly, then ask you to surrender that plate to them.

What you really want is just to apply for title at this stage, and register it when you've replaced that front end and it's actually ready for the road. I wouldn't bring plates up at all until you're ready to register it -- that's all I meant by that.

ok let me see if I got this straight:

1) fix bike so it's legal/ride-able
2) make appt at CHP to verify VIN#, haul bike to chp (I have van) and take paperwork from chp to DMV
3) at DMV apply for new title/reg (they may also want to see/verify the VIN#), get temp lic/reg,...NO MENTION OF AN EXISTING LIC PLATE.
4) add bike to insurance

go :ride arty

right?

 

[Marlowe]

That's probably the way I would go, yes. Just in case. It should be well out of their system, but I'd stick with the VIN only for now...

Fixing the bike first is definitely preferable, so you can get a clear (not salvage or disassembled) title. And so CHP can sign off on the bike, without wanting to see anything fixed. CHP verification I'm sure will be required. Otherwise, you might wind up with a title type that requires another inspection later before you can register it for road use. Fixing it first will minimize hassles.

They may make you jump through some additional hoops, but I'm sure they'll tell you what else they want to see as you go along. Be patient

:thumbup

 

[grumbler]

Bob Raber at Rabers Parts Mart in San Jose went through
something like this several years ago.

Friend of mine purchased a used 1970 Triumph T120R
Bonneville in 1977, and while riding it home from the
seller's house, lost the paperwork when it flew out of
his front shirt pocket. Selling was moving that day.

Since the bike was still registrated to seller with tag
on license plate, he procrastinated on going to the
DMV long enough for his older brother to, uh, wreck
the bike.

He put that bike and a TR6C plus one other in storage
for the next 20 years then asked my help when he had
to relocate from CA to South Dakota.

Went to Rabers and talked to Bob about the situation,
and he picked up those bikes which weren't running. He
was able to get the paperwork for them from DMV.

I would assume that any motorcycle salvage dealer or
shop would know what the SOP is.

 

[reckon]

I just talked to an old friend who is an AVID collector of older obscure motorcycles,..and he gave me some VERY interesting info on how to go about this in california (different than any of the above)

I'll be taking his advice,....should have it reg'd, and legal in about 2-3 weeks,..........

woo hoo! arty

 

[Razel]

I just talked to an old friend who is an AVID collector of older obscure motorcycles,..and he gave me some VERY interesting info on how to go about this in california (different than any of the above)

I'll be taking his advice,....should have it reg'd, and legal in about 2-3 weeks,..........

woo hoo! arty

Once successful, can you share how it was done and how it went?

 

[summitdog]

It can be done. Use dmv "misc statement of facts" to describe ownership trail

Make appointment with chp for vin inspection. They give you the completed form to take back to the dmv

I have done this successfully to plate my "free" bike

Pm me with more specific ???'s

--S

+1. It is even better if you can get the former owner to sign off on the statement of facts.

good luck,
Scotty

 

[reckon]

+1. It is even better if you can get the former owner to sign off on the statement of facts.

good luck,
Scotty

nice to see your still alive and kicking,....still rescuing shelter animals too I hope?

like I said, I'll have it reg'd and legal in about 2-3 weeks, no back fees, no BS,...just title transfer, tax and reg.

I'll post how I did it, after I see if it actually works (friend has done this several times)

:thumbup

 

[SlowNsteady]

nice to see your still alive and kicking,....still rescuing shelter animals too I hope?

like I said, I'll have it reg'd and legal in about 2-3 weeks, no back fees, no BS,...just title transfer, tax and reg.

I'll post how I did it, after I see if it actually works (friend has done this several times)

:thumbup

Any update? I'm in an identical situation right now... any first hand info would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Mike

 

[oldhat]

Bump for an update?