Title Issues on two Ambos- care to chime in

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Yep well I have two Ambos with the same title issue

I have the physical title for both. BUT the owners on the title (#1) and the next owners (#2) never legaly completed the transfer ... then I/me (#3) then bought the bike from #2 with just a bill of sale.
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on 'A' title (KS) the #1 signed it over to #2 but it's not notarized, then I have a bill of sale (not notarized) from #2 to me #3

on 'B' (WA/KY) title, I have a very official notarized bill of sale from #2 to me #3, but no bill of sale or signature on the title from #1 to #2

again, I have the original paper titles in addition to the various bills of sale in hand- but they are a bit out of sorts.

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In NC the laws are pretty strict, you can't just sign over a title, it has to also be notarized. Bill of sale is not required, and frankly not sure if they even carry any weight- NCDMV is looking for signed, a notarized transfer filled out on the back of the title.

In both states where these bikes come from, the laws are a little more lax and two parties can just sign the title and it's done-

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So I'm probably looking at:
buying an indemnity title insurance policy at 1.5x the DMV established value of the vehicle
having the DMV run a title search on it
filling out a detailed report of the title history
getting an inspection by a DMV investigator
I can't even start this until it is a running vehicle that I can drive/transport to the DMV office for inspection.


I know there are some vermont workarounds, not really interested in that- I want NC tag & title
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I would love to run some sort of title search on it, even a carfax report (one was on the road as recently as 2002 with a Washington Plate) , but I have a problem with the VIN

the Vin is 13328 but any sort of title search I can access is looking for a 16 digit number, and I cannot believe it would recognize a MG vin anyway?


Anyone have any direction on there to search out the history/liens/etc on a bike with the VIN and an old WA tag number from 18 years ago?

At a minimum, how to you build out the 5-digit VIN to a 16-digit number you can search with?

[Tom H]

Don't know if this will help where you are. When I bought my Eldo many years ago, I had title issues as well, two owners between the last legal owner. DMV had me contact the last owner, him fill out a few forms and was done.

Good luck,
Tom

[nsmith]

You almost need someone on the inside. I had a title/bill of sale problem here in Arkansas with a boat I bought in Missouri. My awesome Insurance agent did a little smoke and mirror and a phone call and I was in. you never know who might be able to help out. Ask around. Good Luck.

[cliffrod]

As long as you know the bikes are otherwise legal, I wouldn't even fool with NC DMV if your in-hand titles are scrambled.  Go through VT or through a friend in GA and then turn that valid registration into a new NC title.

Getting titles here on old bikes in SC has become pretty simple, at least pre-- when you could still go to the DMV vs making appointments.  But there's a new charge to initially title an out of state vehicle into SC, so it's probably not as cheap as the VT process.  In SC, you used to be able to pay the relevant taxes and fees for each unprocessed transaction denoted on a title to process it into your name.  Now the signed title is only a valid document for a limited period of time, so this cannot usually be done anymore by mere mortals. 

Edit- the VT registration to NC title is probably the least amount of hassle.  I registered multiple bikes while in VT years before they offered by-mail process specifically so I could have a clear title on the bikes out in the "real" world.  When we moved here to SC, it only required an in-person DMV inspection of each bike and surrender of the VT registration to SC DMV just like transferring an out of state title to SC.   I expect VT DMV will do a VIN search as part of the new mail order process.  When living there, you call the local sheriff or State Trooper to do a VIN inspection before you can apply for a tag.  They check the VIN against reported stolen records, then sign off if all is ok.  That paper and a bill of sale is all that's needed on old vehicles.

The current SC new title process involves a probationary title of sorts being issued for the first few (6?) months.  You don't have to purchase a bonded title.  Once the period passes with no problems, a full title is issued.  This means it isn't as conducive to interstate efforts/persons like VT.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

As long as you know the bikes are otherwise legal, I wouldn't even fool with NC DMV if your in-hand titles are scrambled.  Go through VT or through a friend in GA and then turn that valid registration into a new NC title.

Getting titles here on old bikes in SC has become pretty simple, at least pre-- when you could still go to the DMV vs making appointments.  But there's a new charge to initially title an out of state vehicle into SC, so it's probably not as cheap as the VT process.  In SC, you used to be able to pay the relevant taxes and fees for each unprocessed transaction denoted on a title to process it into your name.  Now the signed title is only a valid document for a limited period of time, so this cannot usually be done anymore by mere mortals. 

Edit- the VT registration to NC title is probably the least amount of hassle.  I registered multiple bikes while in VT years before they offered by-mail process specifically so I could have a clear title on the bikes out in the "real" world.  When we moved here to SC, it only required an in-person DMV inspection of each bike and surrender of the VT registration to SC DMV just like transferring an out of state title to SC.   I expect VT DMV will do a VIN search as part of the new mail order process.  When living there, you call the local sheriff or State Trooper to do a VIN inspection before you can apply for a tag.  They check the VIN against reported stolen records, then sign off if all is ok.  That paper and a bill of sale is all that's needed on old vehicles.

The current SC new title process involves a probationary title of sorts being issued for the first few (6?) months.  You don't have to purchase a bonded title.  Once the period passes with no problems, a full title is issued.  This means it isn't as conducive to interstate efforts/persons like VT.

My dad lives in SC and operates a Towing and Recovery biz on the side, I was trying to avoid getting him involved. 
But I may try to work it out with him before I go the VT route, but this is good info.
Thanks AC

[ttietjen]

Had the same thing a couple years ago, bought an Eldorado from a guy that never changed the title into his name. It was just signed by the original owner but since it was from a state that did not require a notary stamp the NCDMV did not question it. I believe it was a Illinois title.

[Groover]

Ya, the "open title" craze of years back makes me mad. In regards to title A, I think you are OK as long as owner #2 goes through the steps of getting a title first in their name then sign that one to you. Good luck.

Title B, not sure. Sounds complicated.

The reason I say title A is ok mostly is because I believe KS is a non-notary state for titles. That may have changed so not sure:

https://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/5/documents/StateTitlingandNotaryStatus.pdf

[cliffrod]

My dad lives in SC and operates a Towing and Recovery biz on the side, I was trying to avoid getting him involved. 
But I may try to work it out with him before I go the VT route, but this is good info.
Thanks AC

I've got an envelope with all relevant forms here, Chad. Haven't done it yet for my V700.  I can send pics of what is needed if you go the SC route.   

One friend has titled multiple bikes here and says it's pretty simple, especially for a project bike that's in no rush.  SC DMV does need to physically inspect the "bike" at the beginning of the process, but it only has to be the frame.  Bike doesn't have to be operable or complete.

[Lannis]

I can't even start this until it is a running vehicle that I can drive/transport to the DMV office for inspection.

I think you ought to check on that statement ... I've titled a lot of stuff (the hardest was my '66 Morgan 4/4 whose VIN number is B1211.   The clerks wouldn't believe it was a VIN, I had to get a state policeman from downstairs to come and tell them) but I've never heard of any requirement that the vehicle be "running", in any state.

Either go cliffrod's way, or let a "broker" handle it without you looking - and he'll go the VT route anyway and hand you a clean NC title in your name ....

Lannis

[ozarquebus]

I bought a couple of bikes which had improperly transferred titles, found the legal registered owners on title and persuaded them to get replacement 'lost' titles and then properly sign it over to me, omitting other improper owners in between.

[dxhall]

Can you recommend a broker who go the VT route?