Title never transfered to current owner in PA

[mdfergus]

Hey guys, I am going to look a CB450 and will probably buy it, but I want to know if anyone else has experience transferring a title that has not been signed over to the new owner. The seller said that the title is signed by the person that he bought it from, but is there anything to be careful of? Thanks a lot appreciate the help!

 

[Skyeye]

mdfergus,

I bought a 1975 CB750 from a dealer that had in the back of the shop for a few years. The original owner had signed the title and sent it to the dealer but it was never transferred. I didn't have any trouble registering it since I had a valid title with the signature of the owner. The fact that it sat at the dealer's without being transferred didn't matter. I think you'll be OK.

Scott

 

[hahnda]

Happens all the time. If you ever go to a swap meet 75% of the bikes for sale that have titles will probably be in a different person's name. I have titled bikes with a title that looked like it might have been signed off 35 years ago, never had a problem as long as I have the title with some sort of signature on it.

 

[Big R]

I'd say just to be on the safe side, contact the notary agent that will be doing the transfer.

There are some things that need to be signed "in person in front of a notary agent" - not sure if this is one of them.

 

[VonYinzer]

In PA by law now, both parties must be present with ID. That said, a lot of the older notaries will still do it. Like Rich said, call ahead, explain the situation and go from there. When I bought my 350 it had a title signed by someone other than the shop I was buying it from. The lady at the notary said she wouldnt do it. As we were walking out. the old man who owns the place called us over and transferred it right there. Said he though the new law was bullshit.

 

[Muggs]

Hey guys I appreciate all the input. I contacted a few auto tag places and they said as long as the title was notarized when the owner signed it, then it can be transferred. I guess as long as someone at some time saw the guy sign it then its ok, I'll let you know how it works out in real life though.

 

[mdfergus]

haha just realized that I entered that last reply in my Dad's user name ;D

 

[SquadraCorse]

In RI my buddy bought a bike off some kid that had the original title signed by the original owner. My friend just wrote a bill of sale to himself from the guy on the title, I forged the signature, and off he went. The DMV doesn't care as long as they get money. Fuck em. I'm sure it might be more anal in other states, but here we've just forged a bunch of documents to get old bikes on the road.

 

[SrgtBear]

Hey man, I just had the same situation and literally got my title transferred over today. The bad news it that your gonna have to hunt down the previous owner. I was lucky enough to find my guy on facebook and still lived in the area. He was cool about it. I hope you have the same luck.

You'll need him present at the tag place to sign it over. Shoot him $20 for his hospitality. (I did.)

Good luck.