Hi Everyone,
I'm finally at the point of registering my restoration project.. It's been 15 years since it was last registered, and of course the guy who gave me the bike didn't have the title, got it from someone else who didn't have the title, etc etc. When I posed the question to various people and searched online, the answer was usually "Part it out - it's too much hastle" or "It can't be done" or "Yeah there's some company that you sell the bike to and they sell it back to you, and it costs $250 and up"...
Well, after several calls and now 2 trips to the DMV, I learned there is a procedure for getting the title to a vehicle like this, IF the vehicle has not been registered in the last 5 years (that's the limit of CA DMV's registration records):
Go to DMV and apply for a new title. Use form # REG 343 - Application for Title or Registration. Fill out the top portion with the VIN and your name/address etc. In the Title holder section, write "NONE", and in section 3 fill out the info for the bike. Don't make the mistake I did and say that I bought the bike more than 10 days prior, or you pay an extra $60 in fees (which is funny because it takes 1 month to get an appointment).
Also, fill out form # REG 256 - Statement of Facts. Fill out the VIN number and year/make at the top. In section G, explain how you obtained the bike and how it came to be that you don't have a title (I made sure to state that the person I obtained the bike from also did not have the title, and that I could no longer locate him, and that there was no way to contact the current registered owner.) The lady at the DMV also had me add the current value of the vehicle (Make it low blue book to pay less taxes and to have it accepted earlier.. if you show up with a $900 bike, it's easy. If you show up with a $20,000 custom, then I wish you luck), and to state that the bike has no Liens.
Take the paperwork to the DMV and tell them that you are applying for a New title because the bike has been parked for X years and the title holder can not be contacted. They told me that it was a "CC1" - I have no idea what that means, but they said to tell the person at the counter.
When the number is called, tell the person at the counter the whole story, the same as you stated on form 256. She then asked for the VIN, and was rather confused because of the short VIN on our old bikes. She accepted my explanation about the short VIN # on motorcycles before 1982.
She read the statement of facts a few times, asked a few questions, then had me pay the registration (YAY!), and informed me that the bike has to be inspected by CHP (darn) - and gave me the phone number of the best CHP office to go to for the verification. As I understand it, it could be done by the DMV, but that usually they refer situations like this for verification by CHP (to make sure it's not stolen. If you have any doubts, call DMV with the vin before starting this process).
After paying my fees ($134 - $60 of which was for late registration more than 10 days after possessing the bike.. still not happy about that), I asked if the bike needed to be present during the CHP appointment, she said yes and asked if I wanted a temporary permit (YAY!). I'm guessing you may have to ask for one, unless you want to trailer the bike to CHP. The temp permit is good for 2 months.
So..... My next step is to go talk to CHP. I'll be making the appointment tomorrow. After that, it's just a matter of mailing all the paperwork and the verification paperwork to Sacramento and wait for a title. I think I might be able to go straight back to DMV with it too, but not sure. Will probably need to, since somehow I have to pick up my plates... will let everyone know once I get that far.
Anyway, will keep you up to date on the process (at least as it is for me). I learned that it really isn't nearly as bad as everyone says... It helps that my local DMV has some decent people that actually know what they are doing (scary, I know).
Now this is only in California..From everything I've read (which is quite a bit) on the subject, each state is different, and some are Really tough, while others are seriously easy for older bikes (just have someone write you a bill of sale in some states).. Seems like California, like most, is somewhere in between.
If you have a situation like mine, call the DMV, explain the situation, and find out what the procedure is when a bike has been out of the system for a long time in your state.
I'm in the home stretch! Still a few minor things to fix, but the list is getting very small finally! I'm hoping to take my first (legal) ride on it this weekend!
Xumi
I'm finally at the point of registering my restoration project.. It's been 15 years since it was last registered, and of course the guy who gave me the bike didn't have the title, got it from someone else who didn't have the title, etc etc. When I posed the question to various people and searched online, the answer was usually "Part it out - it's too much hastle" or "It can't be done" or "Yeah there's some company that you sell the bike to and they sell it back to you, and it costs $250 and up"...
Well, after several calls and now 2 trips to the DMV, I learned there is a procedure for getting the title to a vehicle like this, IF the vehicle has not been registered in the last 5 years (that's the limit of CA DMV's registration records):
Go to DMV and apply for a new title. Use form # REG 343 - Application for Title or Registration. Fill out the top portion with the VIN and your name/address etc. In the Title holder section, write "NONE", and in section 3 fill out the info for the bike. Don't make the mistake I did and say that I bought the bike more than 10 days prior, or you pay an extra $60 in fees (which is funny because it takes 1 month to get an appointment).
Also, fill out form # REG 256 - Statement of Facts. Fill out the VIN number and year/make at the top. In section G, explain how you obtained the bike and how it came to be that you don't have a title (I made sure to state that the person I obtained the bike from also did not have the title, and that I could no longer locate him, and that there was no way to contact the current registered owner.) The lady at the DMV also had me add the current value of the vehicle (Make it low blue book to pay less taxes and to have it accepted earlier.. if you show up with a $900 bike, it's easy. If you show up with a $20,000 custom, then I wish you luck), and to state that the bike has no Liens.
Take the paperwork to the DMV and tell them that you are applying for a New title because the bike has been parked for X years and the title holder can not be contacted. They told me that it was a "CC1" - I have no idea what that means, but they said to tell the person at the counter.
When the number is called, tell the person at the counter the whole story, the same as you stated on form 256. She then asked for the VIN, and was rather confused because of the short VIN on our old bikes. She accepted my explanation about the short VIN # on motorcycles before 1982.
She read the statement of facts a few times, asked a few questions, then had me pay the registration (YAY!), and informed me that the bike has to be inspected by CHP (darn) - and gave me the phone number of the best CHP office to go to for the verification. As I understand it, it could be done by the DMV, but that usually they refer situations like this for verification by CHP (to make sure it's not stolen. If you have any doubts, call DMV with the vin before starting this process).
After paying my fees ($134 - $60 of which was for late registration more than 10 days after possessing the bike.. still not happy about that), I asked if the bike needed to be present during the CHP appointment, she said yes and asked if I wanted a temporary permit (YAY!). I'm guessing you may have to ask for one, unless you want to trailer the bike to CHP. The temp permit is good for 2 months.
So..... My next step is to go talk to CHP. I'll be making the appointment tomorrow. After that, it's just a matter of mailing all the paperwork and the verification paperwork to Sacramento and wait for a title. I think I might be able to go straight back to DMV with it too, but not sure. Will probably need to, since somehow I have to pick up my plates... will let everyone know once I get that far.
Anyway, will keep you up to date on the process (at least as it is for me). I learned that it really isn't nearly as bad as everyone says... It helps that my local DMV has some decent people that actually know what they are doing (scary, I know).
Now this is only in California..From everything I've read (which is quite a bit) on the subject, each state is different, and some are Really tough, while others are seriously easy for older bikes (just have someone write you a bill of sale in some states).. Seems like California, like most, is somewhere in between.
If you have a situation like mine, call the DMV, explain the situation, and find out what the procedure is when a bike has been out of the system for a long time in your state.
I'm in the home stretch! Still a few minor things to fix, but the list is getting very small finally! I'm hoping to take my first (legal) ride on it this weekend!
Xumi
