Can you trace a bikes ownership history?

[Travlr]

I'm restoring a 1977 Laverda Jota.  I know the ownership history after 1984.  And I know it was imported by Lance Weil/Rickey Racer in 1977.  Is there a way I can document the ownership from 1977 to 1984?

Thanks!

Mike

[Cam3512]

I don't think you'd find a paper trail.  But start by talking to the last known owner and take it from there.

[Kiwi_Roy]

This is something I miss, in NZ they used to have Ownership papers that stayed with the bike.
I know they did the same in GB, I saw a picture of a set with TE Lawence's signature on, how cool was that?

[jumpmaster]

When I was tracing the gaps in my Mille's history, I was told by somebody that you can get, from the factory, the name of the importing dealer & to whom they sold the bike initially, for a fee.  I haven't gotten around to trying it myself yet, so I can't verify that this is true...

[jumpmaster]

When I was tracing the gaps in my Mille's history, I was told by somebody that you can get, from the factory, the name of the importing dealer & to whom they sold the bike initially, for a fee.  I haven't gotten around to trying it myself yet, so I can't verify that this is true...

Forgot to add - some states also will research their registration records if you provide the VIN - again, for a fee.  They may or may not give info on other states' records.  They have access to them through cooperative agreements for crime investigations, but they may or may not be willing to go that far for you, & if they do it will probably also be for a hefty fee.  Best bet is to cultivate a VERY good friend at your local DMV & see if you can persuade him/her to help you - again, for a fee.  Do you see a trend developing here????

[sithot]

Paperwork-provenance adds value.  My '73 was imported in the 90's and came with documentation from the factory including homologation papers and an official letter from Moto Guzzi stating when it was sold and to whom.  Also has some Italian correspondence pieces dated to '74.
Much of the import paperwork was to get it into the country as it was an ROW bike the frame number is still visible which does not match the engine like the "tagged over" US bikes.  At the time of my purchase the dealership was still in business according to Alis Agostini.

Jumpmaster; the bill from Moto Guzzi for the archival work was ITL 20 when it was done in 1997.  Pretty good deal.

The other V7 Sport is a 2 owner bike with the second owner buying it in 1974 from the 1st owner after a very short stint.  He kept it until '08 when I got it.   The gentleman I purchased it from referred to it  "my horse" and asked that I take care of it.  He was its caretaker for 34 years.