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CHP Inspection - worst case scenario

Spec-ECU

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Joined
May 30, 2006
Location
San Lorenzo
Moto(s)
09 Yamaha R1
Name
Dennis
BARF perks
SBK Slut / AMA #3287659
Hello, I'm trying to get some kind of assurance for a transaction I want to get into.

Basically, I'm eyeing to buy a bike. Seller has all the paper-trail for it, and by that I mean the title, bill-of-sale, incomplete application/registration receipt. Timeline is this:

  • Bike was sold from a salvage yard to buyer 1, title included (salvaged from a total).
  • Buyer 1 never got to transfer the title to his name, and sold it to his good buddy buyer 2 with a Bill of Sale and the title from salvage yard.
  • Buyer 2 finishes getting the bike riding again, goes to DMV to register and transfer the title, paid the fees then but was told by DMV that it needs a CHP inspection and Brake/Light Adjustment Certificate to get its license plate.
  • Buyer 2 never got around to it for personal reasons, so it's three years now since, and he's now looking to unload the bike.
  • I'm buyer 3 and I'm willing to take on the DMV fees that's accumulated since 2006/2007 and help the seller finish the DMV requirements for it to be issued its license plate.

It still stands that DMV needs the CHP Inspection Certificate (CHP97C), which is fine, because I've called the Salvage Inspection Program and got an appointment to have the inspection done in May, but the Program told me that all DMV fees have to be paid in full PRIOR to the inspection, or the bike will fail the inspection.

Herein lies the apprehension.

Like I wrote, I was willing to take on the DMV fees since the seller is compensating for it with his asking price for the bike. However, I was willing under the pretense that the bike would've already passed all the necessary inspections and is ready to be road-legal BEFORE I paid for the fees. Let's just say that the seller can't afford to pay the current DMV fees at this point, so it's not an option for him to pay it. I can afford to pay it right now, but I've expressed to the seller that in trying to protect myself, I don't want to be out the hundreds of dollars in fees, and possibly be out a potential bike to own.

I imagine the CHP Inspection is mainly to make sure the bike, or its prominent parts are not stolen. So what is the worst-case scenario? They find that something is terribly wrong and they impound or hold onto the bike? Is this a likely scenario? This is where my apprehension is in.

For the record, the VIN and engine number matches the title and the incomplete registration receipt from DMV. I've also looked at the paper-trail and they all check out to me to the best of my knowledge (I've had my fair share of buying and selling bikes). Seller is confident it will clear, but fortunately understands my concerns, and I've never had the slightest inkling of a feeling that this could be a shady deal. I'm just really trying to get a close to clear assurance before I drop the money to DMV to help the seller sell me the bike, as this is the first time I've had to buy a salvage titled bike that has not finished its registration since being issued the salvage certificate.
 
Buying any vehicle without clear title is a big, big, (did you hear me?) BIG mistake! The seller, not the buyer is responsible for providing you clear title. If you buy the vehicle without that, you are assuming all responsibility for it. You are assuming the responsibility, but you have non of the authority of the owner to get the things you need to obtain a clear title. Putting yourself in that situation is simply foolish.
The smart thing to do is tell the seller to obtain the title and you will buy the bike. If this bike really is a good deal, it will be worth it to him to do the final inspection and clear the title. If not, there is more to the situation than he is telling you, and you be likely getting yourself into a mess that will be very expensive and frustrating to get out of.
 
The VIN inspection is just that. If the VIN and engine number match the paperwork you have I wouldn't worry about it. If you want an inspection before May shoot me a PM and I'll do it for you.
 
The VIN inspection is just that. If the VIN and engine number match the paperwork you have I wouldn't worry about it. If you want an inspection before May shoot me a PM and I'll do it for you.

exactly. if the VIN and engine number match that on the title you're good to go. if the engine is different then have some paperwork proving you bought it, etc.
 
Several things may happen... they may find the VIN is for a 49 state bike, and may prohibit the registration, they will red-flag the VIN, and the bike is toast unless made into a track bike or shipped/sold out of state. They may find the bike was stolen, and the bike and you are done. They may do a visual check and see a problem with any smog or emissions related stuff, like carbs, exhaust, air filters, hoses, etc... and at that point, may not be worth the coin to make it correct... and the project is toast. The DMV will run the plate/VIN for any outstanding tickets (moving or not), and may require financial responsibility before they will issue tags.

Sounds like a lot of hassle, and some risk is involved... is the bike worth it?
 
If you are satisfied the seller owns the bike;

Loan the seller the cash needed to get it up to speed, secured by the bike as collateral. Initiation fee of $500, interest at 25%APR, and the loan must be paid in full within 90 days or the bike is forfeit.

Not serious of course, hey- there are PLENTY of other bikes for sale and there always will.
 
The VIN inspection is just that. If the VIN and engine number match the paperwork you have I wouldn't worry about it. If you want an inspection before May shoot me a PM and I'll do it for you.

Please! PM'd!
 
John, do you have the CHP97C form? It is not the regular vin form and DMV may not accept anything else.
 
DMV provided us with the CHP97C form to bring to the inspection. Is it true that all DMV fees have to be paid for PRIOR to an inspection though? Cause otherwise, I'm more than happy to pay for it the same day once the inspection is done.
 
I did this with my F4. There are fees in there that you have to consider too. I had to pay $285 on top of back registration fees just to get the title transferred into my name. It ended up being 2 years back reg plus current reg. I missed the window for non-op so I had to reg for the full year and non-op when it was eligible at renewal. PLUS the lien paperwork and let's not forget the light inspection for a salvage bike that I had to deal with as well. All total it was well over $500 for a 1999 Salvage MC in 2009 on top of the purchase price. All for a bike that hadn't been on the street since the accident and would probably never be on the street again as it was turned into a trackbike. I'm anal about wanting my title in my name though so....

Yeah, I'll never buy a lien vehicle again because of it. If the state wasn't so anal about the back reg (hey, it wasn't MY bike then and it was in a tow yard! I shouldn't be responsible for it and they are collecting fees for road wear when there is none?!) then I probably would but making the new owner responsible for reg for a vehicle they didn't own is pretty lame. I guess it's different if you are planning on letting the bike fall out of the system though but you could still end up with ownership issues until the title is in your name... which is why I'm anal about that part of it.
 
The total fees DMV gave us is $657, which includes back registration, title transfer, and the sales tax for the seller's asking price. I agreed to cover the fees as the seller shaved off his asking price in full consideration of the cost of the fees.
 
The total fees DMV gave us is $657, which includes back registration, title transfer, and the sales tax for the seller's asking price. I agreed to cover the fees as the seller shaved off his asking price in full consideration of the cost of the fees.

I'd add another $500 for PITA.
 
Several things may happen... they may find the VIN is for a 49 state bike, and may prohibit the registration, they will red-flag the VIN, and the bike is toast unless made into a track bike or shipped/sold out of state. They may find the bike was stolen, and the bike and you are done. They may do a visual check and see a problem with any smog or emissions related stuff, like carbs, exhaust, air filters, hoses, etc... and at that point, may not be worth the coin to make it correct... and the project is toast. The DMV will run the plate/VIN for any outstanding tickets (moving or not), and may require financial responsibility before they will issue tags.

Sounds like a lot of hassle, and some risk is involved... is the bike worth it?

the bike I turn into 'salvaged' was a 49 state bike. zero issues.
 
Yes you have to pay the reg fees prior to inspection. If PD can do it great if not I'm sure you need to call 510-622-4611.
 
process is not that hard. yeah you gotta lay down some money if the process was started but not finished years ago same as back registration. When I did mine the officer checked the bike in the bed of my truck, took him no more than 5 min. ooh and make sure you got receipts of the repairs that were done to the bike, some times they ask to see them.
 
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