Getting a title for a vehicle with no title?

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Anyone successfully done this?

I have a 31 year old motorcycle that was a hand-me-down from a late uncle which I believe was last registered 21 years ago in Michigan. I don't think my uncle ever had a title for it.

I have a little info from the DMV but it's not looking too clear.

If anyone has gone through this before I'd appreciate some ideas....

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 3:31 pm

I'm pretty sure it's just a matter of the proper forms filled out, perhaps a small bond (it's a 31 year old bike, it can't be much), and having a DMV inspector take a look at it to make sure it is what you say it is. Just be very nice to the inspector and he can pretty much walk you through it. Remember that inspector is a sworn officer of the state and can and will make arrests for anything else he sees, so act accordingly. :shock:

--Donnie

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Donnie Barnes wrote:

I'm pretty sure it's just a matter of the proper forms filled out, perhaps a small bond (it's a 31 year old bike, it can't be much), and having a DMV inspector take a look at it to make sure it is what you say it is. Just be very nice to the inspector and he can pretty much walk you through it. Remember that inspector is a sworn officer of the state and can and will make arrests for anything else he sees, so act accordingly. :shock:

--Donnie

Thanks Donnie -- I just got off the phone w/ the DMV (second try!) and got an excellent lady to help me. It's pretty much just as you described --

- Schedule meeting w/ inspector (I guess he will come to my house?) and he will issue an inspection report LT-270 (or arrest me if he thinks it's stolen)
- Fill out a MVR-82H (not online, they are mailing it to me!) where I describe how I got it, who owned it last, why there is no title, etc.
- Fill out MVR-1 Title app (the normal one)
- Get insurance
- Get safety inspection
- Go to DMV
- Pay $300 bond (1.5x the $200 value of the bike, I'm gonna just do a cash bond)
- Pay $40 title fee, 3% HUT, and plate fee
- Enjoy all 7 screaming horsepower, top speed of about 48 MPH

I actually asked the lady "this all sounds too easy, what's keeping people from stealing a bike and doing this". She said that they try but most go running when faced with having to do the inspection. Makes sense to me that a cop comes and chats with you about how you acquired a vehicle.

Will be interesting to go through.

I think this picture will convince him that only an idiot would have stolen it:

Jason Tower · **Joined:** Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:31 pm **Posts:** 1173

MikeWhitney wrote:

I think this picture will convince him that only an idiot would have stolen it:

i'm not sure that argument will help your case...

jakepressley · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 4:10 pm

those bikes are a friggin blast. we had two of them on the farm (only one worked at a time swapping out parts) but you can't kill those things. My brother broke his arm three different times in the course of 4 summers on one of these bandits.

enjoy

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Looks a little nicer now, doesn't it?

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 4:37 pm

Trail 90 was the bike I learned to ride on.

George Bright · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:09 pm

When I was a kid my dad had a trail 50.

BretLuter · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:20 pm

Mike,

did they tell you how long they hold the bond?

I'm assuming they hold it for a set time period to allow anyone with a claim to the vehicle's ownership to come forward, then after that they refund the $$$ and give you clear title (??).

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

BretLuter wrote:

Mike,

did they tell you how long they hold the bond?

I'm assuming they hold it for a set time period to allow anyone with a claim to the vehicle's ownership to come forward, then after that they refund the $$$ and give you clear title (??).

They hold the bond for 3 years. At which time I'm sure hilarity will ensue when I show up with a receipt and ask the DMV for my $300 back.

I haven't heard anything at all about a wait time to actually get the new title. I assume the bond is typically held in case a legitimate owner shows up with documentation, so the book value can be paid to the rightful owner.

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

I showed the pic to Ryan Jenkins and I think that he wants to buy it. :lol:

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:57 pm

Richard Casto wrote:

Trail 90 was the bike I learned to ride on.

Me too. Summer of 1971. My uncle had two of those at his place on Lake Norman. My cousin and I drove the life out of those things -- trails, jumps, crashes, etc. I'm lucky I survived the week I stayed with them. Mike I think it will do more than 48mph...at least I can remember having flat out races with each other all tucked in tight and low above 55 or so at least.

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Wed Apr 15, 2009 7:21 pm

Mike, what are you going to do with that?

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Jason Mauldin wrote:

Mike, what are you going to do with that?

I dunno, why do you ask? Probably ride it to the grocery store once a week. If I can figure out a side rack on my trailer I may take it to the track as a pit bike once in a while. I figure if it can keep my real-motorcycle-urge suppressed it will end up saving me thousands of dollars over the years

With all the nostalgia going around maybe I'll rent it out for rides

$10 for 30 minutes! Re-experience your youth!

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

RJ wants to know how much you want for it; he'll be at VIR this weekend. Seriously.

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