How to buy a bike without title??

Turbo Ghost · 10-25-2012, 11:28 AM

I've found a bike on CL that was purchased from a storage auction. I called the county clerk and they said the last title holder had to apply for title. A friend said to buy it and post an ad in the paper for the previous owner to collect the bike and if no response to apply for a mechanic's lein title. That sounds a bit iffy to me since I was never contracted by the original owner for any services. I'd really like to get the bike but, the situation has me worried. I don't want to get stuck for the money and lose the bike. Has anyone here had any experience with this situation? Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

Trip · 10-25-2012, 11:29 AM

Not worth the hassle, find something else.

OneSickPsycho · 10-25-2012, 12:05 PM

Frame swap or track bike... I wouldn't trust fucking around with all that other shit unless I got the bike for free or cheap enough that I could unload a few parts easily to make my money back.

Turbo Ghost · 10-25-2012, 07:13 PM

It's a very rare and (to me) a special bike. I've found some good info online so, I think I can make this happen for less than $1,000. It only has 1,800 miles and is in great shape! It's a 1983 920 Virago which is nothing like the rest of the Virago line. The original models were brought over to take on Ducati but, they were referred to as the XV920 and had an enclosed chain-drive. The motor was the same for the three years they were in production but, the 1983 is the only one I'm interested in. I owned one years ago. I put 21,000 miles on it the first 9 months I had it! Best all-around bike I've ever had period! I'll let you know how it goes IF it goes!

Gas Man · 10-26-2012, 04:17 PM

Skip the ad... just put a mechanics lean on it. That is very common.

askmrjesus · 10-26-2012, 09:55 PM

Vermont.

Vermont is the Honey Badger of DMV states, because they don't give a shit.

Send them a bill of sale, and they will send you a title, a registration and a plate for cheap.

Wait a year, and convert your Vermont title to a Tennessee title. And no, you don't have to live there, or like maple syrup.

JC

Turbo Ghost · 10-26-2012, 10:14 PM

Vermont is probably the way I'm gonna go.

askmrjesus · 10-26-2012, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbo Ghost

Vermont is probably the way I'm gonna go.

Worked for a few people I know.

JC

Turbo Ghost · 10-26-2012, 10:56 PM

There's a thread on ADV that has nothing but positive results so, hopefully it will work!

No Worries · 10-27-2012, 12:50 AM

I always liked the chain-driven one. But with the enclosed chain, how do you check the slack? Here's an article from 1982 comparing the shaft and chain Virago's: http://www.viragotech.com/920virago.html It's from Cycle Guide magazine (RIP), written by Paul Dean, who now writes the Service section in Cycle World magazine.

10-25-2012, 11:28 AM	#1
Turbo Ghost Movie Star Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Kingsport, TN. Moto: KLR650 Posts: 682	How to buy a bike without title?? I've found a bike on CL that was purchased from a storage auction. I called the county clerk and they said the last title holder had to apply for title. A friend said to buy it and post an ad in the paper for the previous owner to collect the bike and if no response to apply for a mechanic's lein title. That sounds a bit iffy to me since I was never contracted by the original owner for any services. I'd really like to get the bike but, the situation has me worried. I don't want to get stuck for the money and lose the bike. Has anyone here had any experience with this situation? Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

10-26-2012, 04:17 PM	#5
Gas Man Trip's Assistant Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Imported from Detroit Moto: 2009 HD Street Classic Posts: 12,149	Skip the ad... just put a mechanics lean on it. That is very common. __________________ -Chris "Why pay somebody else to fuck up your bike?" Run Amsoil Product

10-26-2012, 09:55 PM	#6
askmrjesus Soul Man Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Everywhere, all the time. Moto: '0000 Custom Turbo Cross (with jet kit). Posts: 6,481	Vermont. Vermont is the Honey Badger of DMV states, because they don't give a shit. Send them a bill of sale, and they will send you a title, a registration and a plate for cheap. Wait a year, and convert your Vermont title to a Tennessee title. And no, you don't have to live there, or like maple syrup. JC __________________ The way things are going, they're gonna crucify me.

10-25-2012, 11:29 AM	#2
Trip Hold mah beer! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 80 Miles South of Moto Heaven Moto: 08 R1200GS Posts: 23,268	Not worth the hassle, find something else.

10-25-2012, 12:05 PM	#3
OneSickPsycho Ride Like an Asshole Join Date: Feb 2008 Moto: nothing... Posts: 11,254	Frame swap or track bike... I wouldn't trust fucking around with all that other shit unless I got the bike for free or cheap enough that I could unload a few parts easily to make my money back.

10-25-2012, 07:13 PM	#4
Turbo Ghost Movie Star Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Kingsport, TN. Moto: KLR650 Posts: 682	It's a very rare and (to me) a special bike. I've found some good info online so, I think I can make this happen for less than $1,000. It only has 1,800 miles and is in great shape! It's a 1983 920 Virago which is nothing like the rest of the Virago line. The original models were brought over to take on Ducati but, they were referred to as the XV920 and had an enclosed chain-drive. The motor was the same for the three years they were in production but, the 1983 is the only one I'm interested in. I owned one years ago. I put 21,000 miles on it the first 9 months I had it! Best all-around bike I've ever had period! I'll let you know how it goes IF it goes!

10-26-2012, 10:14 PM	#7
Turbo Ghost Movie Star Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Kingsport, TN. Moto: KLR650 Posts: 682	Vermont is probably the way I'm gonna go.

10-26-2012, 10:56 PM	#9
Turbo Ghost Movie Star Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Kingsport, TN. Moto: KLR650 Posts: 682	There's a thread on ADV that has nothing but positive results so, hopefully it will work!

10-27-2012, 12:50 AM	#10
No Worries Keyboard Racer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mile High City Moto: Old Superbikes Posts: 1,016	I always liked the chain-driven one. But with the enclosed chain, how do you check the slack? Here's an article from 1982 comparing the shaft and chain Virago's: http://www.viragotech.com/920virago.html It's from Cycle Guide magazine (RIP), written by Paul Dean, who now writes the Service section in Cycle World magazine.