"Clear Title" fake news

[Rough Edge racing]

 I've been looking for beat up Ironhead Sportster to use as a base for a custom project.I would really like an OHV JAP V Twin from the 1930's but the prices are very high...I  need the engine and frame cradle but whole bikes are available for around $2000. And a title that matches the frame or engine would be a plus...These are 1970's models, earlier 900 Sportsters with the magneto or distributor under the carb bring more money. I expect to find some real junk ,so no problem there....it's the title that makes me laugh...Ad will state "clear title" or "title in hand"....
   So I ask the seller, phone, text or email,  "is the title in your name?".....And the replies are more often than not " the title is in an unknown person's name and some past buyer 12 years ago has signed it"  A useless piece of paper...Or...the seller bought the bike and his name is signed as the buyer. No good to me unless I'm him..
  Yes, I'm aware you can obtain a title through other means...Very easy in NY it's it's 72 or older..But the bikes that appear best seem to be mid to late 70's...
  I had one that looked good but I hesitated and it was sold...The search continues

[yogidozer]

Check this forum from time to time.
Lots of info, there's a for sale page too
http://xlforum.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=7

[Rough Edge racing]

 I'm aware of the Vermont transferable registration issued on a bill of sale...However, from what I understand  the Vermont paperwork needs to be signed by a gov't official like a law enforcement or authorized vehicle inspector who has checked the VIN or serial number...NY cops question that, why do they need to sign a statement to get plates in another state? You got a local person to sign off on it?

[BrotherJim]

Yep.  I drove two hours to pick up a sweet CL trail bike a few weeks ago with a "clear title."  About to load the bike and give the guy the money when I see the title is out-of-state and in someone else's name.  Although a bit annoyed by the mix-up, I politely explained to the gentleman that the title was no good to me, and that he had to fix it to sell the bike as a titled machine.  Miraculously, he was able to go to the BMV the next day and begin the title transfer, and delivered the bike to me about a week and a half later.  What a guy!  I blame myself a bit, here... be absolutely clear on the status of the title!

[Groover]

Good info on the VT Perazzimx14. What is NCIC, and will the police department run the check on a frame only, or do you think it needs to be a complete bike?

[Rough Edge racing]

 It appears that NYS is not set up for the police to do routine VIN verification...NYS does nor verify any VINS by actual looking at it except for dealing with salvage or special construction titles. And this is done as special installations with papers to file and a cost of a few hundred bucks...There are no local police in this town, just the Sheriffs and State police.. I'll stop in the State Police barracks, put on my honest face and ask...

[Rough Edge racing]

All police are set up to access NCIC. If you've ever gotten a background check, submitted for state or federal clearances or fingerprinted you been through NCIC. Our secretary at work has access to certain areas NCIC to do State Police background checks on new employee's.

The local LEO being able too verses wanting too is probably the question. A quick call to the local police asking the question can save you a wasted trip.

   It's been my experience that police can be indifferent about a request like this that is not part of their routine...The State Police barracks is only a few miles...I think it's for me it's better to ask face to face...
   What if, I get the cops to check the vin and it's stolen?      

[oldbike54]

 Maybe someone can locate that hilarious CL ad for the GS Suzuki frame with no title , but that isn't a problem because you aren't ever going to do anything with it anyway 

 Dusty

[twowheeladdict]

When I was living in Alabama I bought a used bike in Kentucky from a dealer.  Brought the bike to the DMV for numbers inspection and paperwork was sent in to Montgomery. 

Several weeks later I get the title back with a  letter stating that the title had not been filled in correctly.  I researched it and concluded that it had indeed been filled in correctly so I went back to the DMV with the title and my proof in the form of Kentucky DMV proceedures and sent that in.

Get the title back with another letter stating that the title had not been filled in correctly. 

I went down to the DMV and said what does Montgomery need in order for this to go through? 

I then had to contact the dealer and ask them to fill in the title incorrectly in order for the purchase to go through.  Fortunately, they obliged and I got an Alabama Title. 

So even when thing are correct and accurate there may still be roadblocks to a smooth purchase. 

[Rusnak_322]

Then you have received stolen property and you will learn new things. Always best to get the seller of the bike to go with you to get the VIN checked before money exchanges hands. That way if its stolen he is talking with the police while you are heading home.

you wouldn't be in trouble, there is no way to pre-check if it is stolen and you are doing the correct thing and getting it checked out. You probably would have to forfeit anything that came back as stolen and file a police report against the seller.

[cliffrod]

But you can precheck. Get the VIN and have it run prior to seeing the bike. The bike needs to be present for the LEO to inspect and verify the VIN and re-run it to satisfy VT.

We do this anytime we're looking at a worthy prospect.  Never had a problem asking the local police chief here in SC (or his predecessors) to check a VIN for us.  He would rather us ask first than do a transaction that involves stolen property in his jurisdiction that he then needs to address.   Presenting a machine with reported numbers means it's gone.  Not cool.

SC recently started doing titles for untitled bikes & cars somewhat similar to VT.  Not sure if they'll do it for people & machines out of state, but that may be another option.

I did paperwork for multiple bikes, both purchased in VT and brought to VT, when I was back there doing stone.  Pretty simple.  I would do it now if SC hadn't started their new process.

[Swedemoto]

Not sure if this is true or not, but I was recently told that NY somehow lost their 70's-80's database and can't verify titles from that era. (Yes I know titles weren't provided until sometime in the 80's). Anyway, I heard that all you need to do is apply for a title replacement. I'm going to give this a test next week hopefully. I'll report back!

[Rough Edge racing]

Not sure if this is true or not, but I was recently told that NY somehow lost their 70's-80's database and can't verify titles from that era. (Yes I know titles weren't provided until sometime in the 80's). Anyway, I heard that all you need to do is apply for a title replacement. I'm going to give this a test next week hopefully. I'll report back!

 ... NY doesn't have titles for 1972 and older vehicles.... I don't know about the lost data base...A DMV clerk told me NY purges it's data every 5 years...I don't know exactly what that means....I pushed through at least one  Jeep and two motorcycles older than 1972 through NY DMV with zero paper work...took about 20 minutes and one simple form...You have to sign a statement swearing you are the rightful owner...This means you do own the vehicle and have lost the transferable registration..Obvio usly ,some people are registering a non paperwork vehicle they just bought..I know nothing about that............... .....
 If it's 73 and up with a title there is a procedure to replace a lost title...Your name must appear in their records as the current owner..No way around it.....unless the records are lost...

[jas67]

Not sure if this is true or not, but I was recently told that NY somehow lost their 70's-80's database and can't verify titles from that era. (Yes I know titles weren't provided until sometime in the 80's). Anyway, I heard that all you need to do is apply for a title replacement. I'm going to give this a test next week hopefully. I'll report back!

PennDOT (Pennsylvania) lost a lot of their records in the 1972 Hurricane Agnus floods.   Therefore, any pre-1972 vehicle, you can possibly apply for a "replacement" title if you sign an affidavit stating you are/were the owner of record prior to 1972.