Buying a Bike with NO Title

Simple · Post by **Simple** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 3:38 pm

I am looking at a 65 Honda Dream 305 for sale that I really like. However, the owner does not have a title. What do I do?

deafanddiabetic · Post by **deafanddiabetic** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 4:22 pm

Depending on your state, you will likely have to get a Bonded Title. Go to the DMV (or the website), fill out for the form for "Application of a Bonded Title". They find out who the last known owner was who had it titled, then you send a certified letter to that address on file and wait 30 days for a response. Basically you're asking them for the title or asking them to let you move on with the title process.

If they don't respond, you ask your insurance company for a "Bond", they insure the vehicle up to 1 and 1/2 times the worth of it, you pay approximately $100-$200. Then you are able to get a bonded title from the DMV. All that means is if the original owner somehow or someway finds his old bike and wants it back, the insurance company doesn't lose out money and neither do you if the owner takes it back. After 3 years (in Nebraska at least), that bonded title becomes a normal title and it's officially your bike.

If the owner DOES respond and says, "yeah, that's my bike I want it back," you're S.O.L. If he responds and says he doesn't have the title anymore and isn't willing to go to the DMV himself to get a duplicate to sign over to you, you can proceed with calling your insurance company to get that bond.

Basically, it takes up to a couple months and can cost a few hundred dollars for a bonded title. No one likes doing them, they're awful. At least in my state, it is.

Hope that helps!

garncarz · Post by **garncarz** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 4:31 pm

Walk away and don't look back.

Hoosier Tom · Post by **Hoosier Tom** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 4:57 pm

There are plenty of CA77s that come up for sale in IN with titles. Our state changed the process a year ago August for bill of sale title. It is now difficult at best. If he tells you it's easy, have him get a title.

HT

mike in idaho · Post by **mike in idaho** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 5:14 pm

[quote=
If the owner DOES respond and says, "yeah, that's my bike I want it back," you're S.O.L. ]
When he comes to get it, have your bill for "repairs and storage" ready to hand to him.

Hoosier Tom · Post by **Hoosier Tom** » Tue Sep 23, 2014 5:27 pm

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/mcy/4679419094.html

Here are a pair with titles in Pendleton.

HT

Simple · Post by **Simple** » Wed Sep 24, 2014 11:34 am

Thanks for the info. I am leaving it alone.