| Author | Message | ||
     Tbowdre |
Im thinking of buying a frame, without a title, off ebay and wondering how I might deal with the CA DMV. Anyone here, gone there, before me? Thanks, Todd | ||
| Lynrd |
I just did the same thing. I was going to post an article in the KB on the process but couldn't finger out which sup topic. check out this thread...especially about three posts from the bottom http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/726548.html?1400594954 The process is... First, get a form 343 https://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg343.htm Fill it out. GO to DMV with all your paperwork. - bills of sales or titles from the donor bike parts. Tell them you are titling this bike. THey will run a first check in the system for a bad VIN. They will also take your money for fees, and refer you to CHP for verification. See the other post about the CHP trip. As always when talking with LE - answer questions truthfully but don't volunteer any information you aren't asked. the CHP will run the numbers against the NIFB database. Depending on the status, this is where you may or may not end up with a Salvage branded title. The bike needs to be completely together, with working lights, brakes and horn before you take it to CHP. If you do not get a trip permit (Temp registration) from DMV, don't ride it to the cop shop. Put it in a tuck or on a trailer. Assuming you come up clean like I did - go BACK to DMV and pick up your plates. | ||
| Teeps |
I've only done this with "new" construction frames for dirt bikes. My first concern would be, finding out sooner than later if the frame is listed as stolen. Why is there no title? | ||
| Lynrd |
In the buell world, it is common due to the mutant redneck zombie apocalypse. The scenario goes...Bonehead buys a buell to turn it into a chopper. Sometimes they stamp the numbers from the Buell frame into the rigid piece of yard art they call a frame to make titling easy. ...titling a SPCNS is not any harder, but you have to go to CHP for inspection, which probably turns off the sportster chopper crowd. If I recall, one of the frame builders out there was not furnishing a MSO at all and therefore not stamping their own numbers in the frame, and encouraging this practice. As a business practice, that is really a good way to get the Feds looking at you with the hairy eyeball. Legally, stamping you own numbers into an aftermarket frame is called number tampering and LE in general take a dim view of it. The theoretical possibility is that somewhere down the road, if someone did that and you manage to get the original frame registered, someone gets pulled over and a diligent county Mountie decides to seize it. I don't sweat that bit...I have never heard of it happening to anyone.and it is WAY more likely to happen to the chopper builder. As for that guy....PHUQ HIM. | ||
| Lynrd |
Oh, and if the frame does come up as hot, and the dude who sold it to you did not bother to mention that fact, I'd roll over on that POS so fast it would make his lawyers head spin....PHUQ HIM too. | ||
| Satori |
I am not certain, but I believe that Autocheck works for bikes also. try running it at autocheck.com ( I am not affiliated) |
