No paperwork registration in CA?

[kristofrogers]

So when i got my Tecate, the guy had some paperwork but its basically like the beginnings of him transferring it from the owner before him to him (if that makes sense) but he never went through with it all the way apparently. The last time the bike was registered was in 1996. I've read and heard all kinds of different things like, "I'll have to pay back taxes on non-op registration" or "It's totally out of the system now it should be no problem" or "If they look it up and it comes back stolen, your basically screwed and they'll take it from you" Anyone with experience in this area? I live in California and I know they are kind of funky here as far as registration goes....I'd like to get this thing in my name but if nothing else this is a great parts bike...I'd love to get it all legal though.

[tri again]

The trick is to get info without giving any.

Tell dmv you're looking at buying an old (*&%%$&*) and want to know how much, what and whatever else they can tell you.

Calif can charge you 10 years registration if it has lapsed.

If it's from out of state , they can charge you freakin sales tax on something you already own to bring it into the state.

I'm too nostalgic to go on.

Maybe someone who's been thru it recently has better info.

[muthey]

And that my good friends is one of the main reasons I moved back to Montana from California, I just did a Vin check on my ytm 225dx to make sure it wasn't stolen before I tried to title it. the one tricky thing to try and find out is if the last guy who had it registered was paying for it every year out of his state taxes as they will charge him if he didn't release the title to the other guy, so you may get lucky on that, first ttry and find out if it's stolen then check to see if taxes have been paid before you ever let them know you now own tell them you are looking to buy

[NOS_350X]

write down your vin, go down to your local PD, sherrif or CHP station. Tell them your looking at buying a bike, and want the vin checked to make sure its not stolen.

DO NOT TAKE THE BIKE, it will be impounded if it is.

Once it passes that take that same vin down to DMV and ask them what its going to take, probably you will have to fill out a lost title, and you will have to pay back fees. BUT at that point if the fees are too much just tell them nope and leave. Now They are going to want you to track back through every owner and find the last regestered owner, (but they wont tell you who it is) it is really rediculious.
Is what i put on the lost title paper work, i explain on it that you purchased a bike, the paperwork was stolen from the pervious owner right before you purchased it. Then the indivdual moved and you have no way to track him down. Useually that has worked for me.

[200XMichigan]

I am so glad Michigan doesn't make you worry about titles. Sounds like a huge hassle and would really suck after all sorts of hard work the gov't just takes your trike for trying to do the right thing. But as long as you are telling them you are thinking of buying the bike then your OK.

[kristofrogers]

I am so glad Michigan doesn't make you worry about titles. Sounds like a huge hassle and would really suck after all sorts of hard work the gov't just takes your trike for trying to do the right thing. But as long as you are telling them you are thinking of buying the bike then your OK.

Hahaha yea I wish I didnt have to go through the trouble. I've only received stolen property if I admit I have it, I swear I'm only "looking at buying it" hahaha

[200XMichigan]

Pretty much. If it turns out its stolen, which most likely it will be free and clear, just say "Well I guess I'm not buying that." Good luck with it.

[RapidRick]

Doesn't work that way in this part of the state. DMV and CHP will not check VINs.

[SonicTronics]

Has anyone ever asked about a VIN being stolen and they actually said yes? I feel like if I did that at my local PD or something, and it turned out it was stolen, they would want to know who was selling it. Then what do I do, plea the 5th?

[NOS_350X]

Has anyone ever asked about a VIN being stolen and they actually said yes? I feel like if I did that at my local PD or something, and it turned out it was stolen, they would want to know who was selling it. Then what do I do, plea the 5th?



Yes, or tell them to look on craigs list and you just corrosponded through that. You dont know who or how to get ahold of them. Make them work for that stolen bike.:lol: