Restoring A Bike - No Title

SeekingZero

SeekingZero

Exiled
Hey guys,

I just wanted to get an idea of what hurdles I am going to have to jump through at the DMV when I go to try and get this bike I am working on registered.

I bought a '71 CB175 in IN last year with no title for $300. I am restoring the bike for my wife as an 80 mpg daily commuter. The bike frame and engine numbers match and the frame has the original VIN tag. So from what I have seen at the DMV site, this wouldn't be considered a home-built, but I am surely going to run through hell with the lack of title.

Any advice and opinions welcome. Surely someone has done this and can offer up their experience so I am prepared. :thumbup

Cheers!
 
ST Guy

ST Guy

Well-known member
Can't help you with how to get it registered, but a visit to the DMV might help.

And I wouldn't do a lick of any work on the thing until I knew it was mine legally. 'Sure be a shame to do all the work and find out it was stolen and have it returned to the original owner all new and shiney. Or simply not be able to register it and never be able to ride it on the street.
 
SeekingZero

SeekingZero

Exiled
There is no way that this bike, in the condition it was in, was stolen. :rofl It was junkyard grade.

I have done considerable work to in and am almost ready to reassemble. This bike will be ridden one way or another. :ride
 
splat

splat

Well-known member
Just go too the dmv and try to register it. Include a statement of facts and found out if it's worth it to you.
 
N

NoTraffic

Well-known member
Not sure how they do it now but back in the 90's, they had you go to a CHP location if the bike was not an easily recognizable model and CHP would go through an assessment of how to classify the vehicle. I only know this as an acquaintance got a two-stroke NSR registered this way back in those times (CHP had no idea it was two-stroke).
 
SeekingZero

SeekingZero

Exiled
Well the DMV states that if they can't do the inspection, or won't, then they will refer you to the CHP to have them do it. But since the bike is all numbers matching and, imo easily classifiable, I should see no reason for referral. Excepting laziness!

I think it should work just like the inspection they did for my 999, the guy just comes out, looks over the bike, verifies all the numbers and gives me a piece of paper.
 
OnFire

OnFire

Kurvenjäger
I have done the same with my 74 MZ. The key is to have it out of the DMV computer system to avoid those back fees. Go and apply for a title, the form can be found on the DMV website. At the DMV they will want you to fill out a form stating how u acquired the bike, basically to make sure it is not stolen. I had to bring the bike to the DMV for a VIN inspection. Yes, no CHP involved. And no, my lights and signals didn't work yet, but the DMV inspector could not care less. I guess the value and age of the bike make it easy. It helped that the bill of sale showed $50 as sale price. DMV fees were about $135 two years ago. I went home with the registration and license plate and sticker. Title came in the mail two weeks later.
 
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SeekingZero

SeekingZero

Exiled
Thanks Thomas! That's what I was hoping to hear. I'll wait until I get it ready to ride and street legal before I go in. No sense in registering it now when it'll likely be another two months before I'm finished with the build.
 
fast4ward

fast4ward

Tired and Emotional
They should just check the VIN and engine numbers, so make sure you know where they are, and can set the bike up so the DMV person can read them - especially the engine number. There's only so much effort they'll put in to doing this; if they can't read it, you'll get referred to the CHP.
 
SeekingZero

SeekingZero

Exiled
Ya, the VIN is on the steering stem and the engine number is easily read from the left side of the bike. The guy that inspected my 999 had me remove plastics so he could get to emissions codes and any other stickers he could think of! Good thing I always have the necessary allens to remove plastics on me. I was surprised he went through as much as he did when registering it.
 
B

bricknerd

Novice
I did this with an old scooter. As long as it has fallen out of the system just fill out a statement of facts form. I got a scooter from a storage yard auction with no pink, and filled out a statesment of facts along with a few other random forms they gave me, and they handed me the pink. No inspection or anything.
 
SeekingZero

SeekingZero

Exiled
Well seeing as how this was a barn find in Indiana, the possibility of it being in the system is very remote.

It's good not to hear any DMV horror stories in regards to this...*knock on wood.
 
fast4ward

fast4ward

Tired and Emotional
Even if it had been a CA barn, my understanding is they drop out of the DMV system after 5 years if not renewed.
 
ThumperX

ThumperX

Well-known member
Should be no problem.
Statement of facts and bill of sale.

Vin verification and they may require a brake and light since it is out of the system.
 
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