Registering a bike that the title was not changed over.

OK, I don't kow if this will work anywhere but Texas, but here goes. We've all seen the ads "bike for sale, title in previous owners name". I have run from those ads before thinking it would be a major pain to get a title in my name. But it really isn't. As long as previous owner has signed the back of the title, and the person selling it has not signed, you can get a title in your name. Simply fill out the Title Transfer paperwork and where the Previous owner is supposed to sign, just write "Unable to Contact" and sign your name beside it. You may have to pay late transfer fees ($10 In Texas), but at least you have a title and tag for your new bike.

My bike was never transfered to the guy i bought it from. He just had a bill of sale from the PO to him, (which could have been fake) then he wrote a bill of sale to me. there was a title but it was two owners ago. I went to the DMV thinking i might get some trouble. It went fine.

I also went to a "Express DMV" and the people there seemed more relaxed.