Tryin to buy a bike, but he says he lost the title

[Oktobr]

As I said, the guy says he lost the title while he just recently moved. He sent me a copy of a Vehicle History Report that he got from the DMV, but why wouldnt they just give a duplicate title? I was going to go see the bike tomorrow. Any help is greatly appreciated.

His name is rightly under the Registered Owner (R/O), but I'm not sure what to make of this. This is what he sent me:

8/31/12 Printing the Vehicle History Report
1/1
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES
***CUSTOMER RECEIPT COPY***
REGISTRATION
INFORMATION REQUEST
08/31/2012
R62R04001304M13G9646
DATE: 08/31/12 TIME: 16:56
INSURANCE INFORMATION UNKNOWN
REG VALID FROM: 09/18/08 TO 09/18/09
LIC#:13G9646 YRMD:89 MAKE:HOND BTM :RS VIN :JH2RC3116KM100646
R/O :TERENCE MARK
SOLD:00/00/91 RCID:12/05/08 OCID:05/01/03 LOCD:9 ENG#:2103905
TYPE:21 POWR:G VEH :22 BODY:0 CLAS:AL *-YR:03
REC STATUS:
10/21/2009 NC DELINQUENT NOTICE EXTRACTED
06/11/92 PREV LIC 13E4889
CLEARANCE INFORMATION RECORDS:
OFFICE WORK DATE TECH/ID SEQ # VALUE FICHE DATE TTC
C41 04/18/03 7Q 0012 00202.00 04/23/03 F00
C41 09/18/03 6E 0017 00051.00 09/23/03 I05
C17 09/20/04 5A 0008 00060.00 09/22/04 H05
C41 10/08/05 7O 0004 00078.00 10/13/05 H05
C17 09/18/06 5Z 0004 00060.00 09/20/06 H05
619 11/10/08 B5 0053 00094.00 11/10/08 RIP
FT3 04/18/08 99 2647 00094.00 PRIOR SUSPENSE
VFR 12/03/08 VC 7377 00014.00 12/04/08 FR3
619 12/05/08 01 0001 00190.00 12/09/08 H00
619 11/10/08 B5 0053 00190.00 PRIOR SUSPENSE

 

[2.3efi]

All depends on the state. But I would get him to fill out the proper paper work first or tell him you're only paying what it's worth as a parts bike.

 

[Tim]

Call your local DMV and ask what you'd need to do to get a title for the bike if you buy it as is with this info.

 

[Oktobr]

I'm in California. I'll try to call the DMV on tuesday, as I'm sure they'll be closed for Labor Day.

Also, should I be apprehensive that (judging from the history report) the bike hasn't been registered since '09?

 

[Mr.E]

Not being registered since 09 isn't terrible. Most of the junk I drag in hasn't been registered in over 10 years. Good chance he lost interest or cash. Or both.

 

[reborn291]

In NJ if you don't get a title from the previous owner you're pretty much shit out of luck. If he "lost" the title why can't he go get a duplicate? No title means the bike is only good for parts here, but CA might be a different story. Good Luck!

 

[buckeyebike]

In OH, owner can get a duplicate title from any DMV for $16.

 

[Oktobr]

Thanks for all the help guys. I went ahead and just bought a different bike, since this guy clearly didnt care enough about selling his. Picked up an 89 Honda CB-1. Im psyched on it.

 

[VonYinzer]

The cb1 is an AMAZING machine. Great purchase.

 

[Sonreir]

In OH, owner can get a duplicate title from any DMV for $16.

And only $18 in Cali. I'd get the seller to go get a title. Tell the guy you'll put a few bucks down on the bike, but won't give him the rest until the title is in hand.

 

[surffly]

Doesnt CA have some strange "back tax" thing that happens when a bike is off the road for a while and then sold? Ive heard of people buying bikes and then when they go to register them they get hit with large fees

IF the seller is the last legal owner of the bike then he should have ZERO issue getting a replacement title, even more so if its only been a few years.
If you dont get handed actual current paperwork/title when you buy a bike then you have to assume its just parts, not a motorcycle and pay accordingly