How to register old xs650 in Maine, all paperwork missing

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oldrider

XS650 Enthusiast
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I bought a 1977 xs650 standard about 22 years ago. It was non-running, but mostly complete. It got stored in the back of the garage until recently. I want to bring it back to life, but I don't want to invest anything in it until I'm sure I can register it. However, any paperwork I had, is gone. The Maine BMV is firm that I must have a bill of sale in order to proceed. There seems to be no way to track the serial number as it doesn't have enough digits. It could have been either of two people I bought it from, unfortunately, both passed away at least 10 years ago
Since I live in Maine, I need to know if there's any way I can get this registered. I had planned to completely disassemble it so I'm not against buying a frame that has a bill of sale, but I don't want to drive too far.
This forum was a huge help in getting my 1979 xs650 special running. It is now registered and a fun bike to ride.
Bearing in mind, I live in mid coast Maine, is there anyone who has suggestions?
Thanks!
 
Grind the #, Stamp your own number and call it a homebuilt. You will have to admit to the inspector "yah, I'm a crappy welder"... 😎


Seek a bonded title?


Gin up a bill of Sale from outside the state?

Motor vehicle ownership history of the 2 probable past owners?
 
Kevin, thanks for the reply. This is a bummer! I know I bought this bike legally, but proving it is going to be a pain. I've had a bunch of bikes since then, and I keep my records, but this paperwork has gone into a black hole.
There are 2 people who I could have got this from, both of whom passed away mare than 10 years ago.
I'm thinking of trying to fill out the form for a lost title, but Maine doesn't require a title for vehicles that old, so I don't know if that would work.
I wish there was a way to trace the serial number, but it doesn't have enough digits to work in any system. I tried both local and state police and they couldn't help either. Ginning up a bill of sale my be my best option.
I can't believe I'm the only one who has had this issue.
Thanks
 
oldrider said:
Kevin, thanks for the reply. This is a bummer! I know I bought this bike legally, but proving it is going to be a pain. I've had a bunch of bikes since then, and I keep my records, but this paperwork has gone into a black hole.
There are 2 people who I could have got this from, both of whom passed away mare than 10 years ago.
I'm thinking of trying to fill out the form for a lost title, but Maine doesn't require a title for vehicles that old, so I don't know if that would work.
I wish there was a way to trace the serial number, but it doesn't have enough digits to work in any system. I tried both local and state police and they couldn't help either. Ginning up a bill of sale my be my best option.
I can't believe I'm the only one who has had this issue.
Thanks
Click to expand...
My comments were mostly in jest. A ginned up bill of sale would have to be from a third world country where records don't exist. New "Build" is possible but I certainly do not know your regs. My DMV looks for 11 or 13 digits but I have registered 3 pre '78 bikes with 6-8 digit VINs in the last couple of years. Look at the WI bonded title requirements. I would be glad to try that here. I have done title work for other members and I seek only my actual expense of the docs and filings. I did a GA "bill of sale" to WI title 2 weeks ago and the cost was ~$255 with title, license and fees. When I do this I do license the bike in WI. WI license is $22 for 2 years (prorated). I do this so as not to raise flags that I may be a "dealer" and subject to other regulation even though I still have only 3 bikes in my garage. My drive to my DMV/DOT is less than a mile and I encounter rather cheeerful and helpful folks at the counter. If I understand, WI has a $500 bond which is refundable after 5 years, tranferrable. I am neither a Lawyer nor scam. Many on this forum know me face to face (or better waiting for me to catching up to the group). If the WI bonded title works, PM message me.
 
Last edited:
No title required for pre-1995 vehicles in Maine. Handwritten Bill of Sale with VIN is all that's needed. I registered my '79 that way.

EDIT: Sorry, I didn't read the entire OP. My local Town Office didn't look very closely at the BOS. It was legit, but written in pen on a piece of notebook paper. I'm in Gouldsboro, where are you?
 
I would start with having a local LEO run the numbers to verify it isn’t on their stolen roster. They should be able to provide a form for this indicating it is clean. Then just have a brother, son, uncle, nephew, neighbor or friend write you a BOS for it to take to the BMV.

Marty suggested Saints Title Service in TN above. I used them last year for a Honda title. And essentially you sell it to them on paper and they sell it back to you with a valid TN title. It works but as you state ME does not require titles on vehicles that old this process may be a waste of $.

You could also check if ME has provisions for abandoned vehicles and see what their process is. Or a mechanic’s lien which is similar.
 
Good morning Downeaster!
I'm in Surry. I figured you probably weren't too far from me.
Yes, all was fine at the town office, and also at insurance shop. The problem is the BMV.
I got this bike from a friend of Warren Mitchell, who owned "Once Upon a Triumph" in Orrington. Unfortunately, Warren passed away a bunch of years ago. About the same time, I bought a parts bike from a fellow in Surry who had a repair shop and had a motorcycle graveyard out back. He also passed away at least 10-12 years ago. I must have had something from Warren, but I can't find anything. I do have a receipt for the parts bike, but it doesn't have a name or serial number on it. It does have the check #, but my ledger from that long ago is gone. My bank can't trace the check from that far back, so, I'm stuck.
I'm willing to buy just a bare standard frame with a good bill of sale if I have to. So, there I am.
Bummer!
 
I was at that shop/junkyard in Surry many years ago, can't remember what I was looking for. Possibly stuff for an (aborted...) XS750 triple project.

If the town office is fine with registering it, what is BMV's problem?
 
Downeaster,
I can't remember the name of the shop in Surry, but the owner was Phil Gray. Really nice guy. His parts inventory appeared somewhat scattered, but his memory was encyclopedic. He knew what he had, and where it was.
Anyway, I knew I would have a problem with this, so I contacted Augusta explaining the problem with missing paperwork. The reply, which I still have, said to write a statement explaining what had happened with the paperwork and that should be fine. WRONG! Bmv insists on a signed BOS.
I do have a slip of paper that says "parts bike" and references my check number. It's not dated and has no shop name, but the check number puts it about 1998, which would be correct. I don't have the ledger and the bank can't trace the check that far back.
Honestly, upon reflecting, I don't think I got this bike from Phil. I think I got it through Warren at Once Upon A Triumph. Both of those guys and businesses are long gone, so that's probably a dead end.
I'm probably going to post an ad on Craigslist for an xs650 standard frame with a good bill of sale and see what happens. I guess I could try EBAY too.
 
Do they have title/registration service companies in Maine? A lot of small used car lots will also do this type of work on the side. I just had to get a CA title for the bike I got from GGGGary that came with a South Dakota title. I spend several frustrating hours at the DMV and got nowhere really. Since the bike was from out of state, it needed a VIN check there at DMV. One of the sticking points was that they wanted the bike to be completely assembled, which it wasn't since it was partially dissaembled for restoration. At the suggestion of a friend, I called a registration service business here in town. For the VIN verification, they just had me take pictures of the frame and engine numbers on my phone and text the pictures to them. I then went down there and in 15 minutes all the paperwork was done and submitted directly into the DMV system. They then handed me a license plate and stickers, and told me the title would come in the mail in a couple of weeks (which it did). For all this, they charged me an extra $50. My point here is that these companies (at least in CA), can do everything a DMV worker can do, but they are much more flexible.
 
Maine doesn't require a title for vehicles older than, I believe, 1985., but they are adamant about a bill of sale, specifically one with seller's signature and sale price. I've called the main BMV office in Augusta, and "no go" without it.
Anyone know of a way to track the serial number back to previous owners?
None of the on line services can track a number with less than 16 digits. Local and state police couldn't help me there either.
 
oldrider said:
Maine doesn't require a title for vehicles older than, I believe, 1985., but they are adamant about a bill of sale, specifically one with seller's signature and sale price. I've called the main BMV office in Augusta, and "no go" without it.
Anyone know of a way to track the serial number back to previous owners?
None of the on line services can track a number with less than 16 digits. Local and state police couldn't help me there either.
Click to expand...
I would be glad to write a "Bill of Sale" and mail it to you. Send (PM) specifics and I will hand write an informal document. Something like "I release all interest to OldRider of the M/C S/N S650-XXXXXX for the sum, paid in full, of $XXX.00 on this day, 1 Feb 2025. I haven't perjured mysyelf I do not think. This is an honest offer to help you out. I can add misspelllings if you prefer.
 
Kevin Werner said:
I would be glad to write a "Bill of Sale" and mail it to you. Send (PM) specifics and I will hand write an informal document. Something like "I release all interest to OldRider of the M/C S/N S650-XXXXXX for the sum, paid in full, of $XXX.00 on this day, 1 Feb 2025. I haven't perjured mysyelf I do not think. This is an honest offer to help you out. I can add misspelllings if you prefer.
Click to expand...
Kevin,
Thanks for the offer. I may have a couple options first. I may have located another frame for reasonable money. My plan originally to disassemble the whole bike anyway, so replacing the frame would not be a problem.
Will
 
Will. I have done some "cleaning up" work for a few members here. My DMV is 5 minutes away. I think your situation is beyond my capabilities/option except maybe a bonded title. With out researching the thread, matching numbers matter to some (not me cuz I have mongrels)... PM me if I can help. I only ask that actual fees be reimbursed, DMV, postage beyond the 55 cent stamp. Cheers
 

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