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Issue with buying a crashed bike

Still sounds a bit sketchy but who knows sometimes they do fail to follow up and p/u the crashed bike :dunno

So when he gets the title back from the insurance company and sells the bike to you do the following:

Go to DMV and let them know you are scrapping the bike it is being sold for parts.
The reason that you want to do this is so that in the event he gets registration notices and points the DMV to you you will not be on the hook for back registration.

Good luck.
Oh and don't forget to update your own title with the DMV with the new engine number ;)
 
Dave, that phrase "Sumthin' ain't right" keeps popping up in this thread. I'd take Gwynne's suggestions as gospel. More dodging and you should walk away.
 
Yeah, something has seemed off about it to me too. But he seems to be genuinely trying to take the necessary steps to make sure this is all good and legal. If he fails to do so, I'm gone. But it still seems to be my best option at the moment for an engine, so if he comes through with everything lined up properly, I'm gonna take it.
 
I'm pretty sure they usually issue a salvage certificate, and not a title.

But if you get a salvage certificate or a title for the bike from the guy you should be good. Since you're not going to fix the bike you can just keep the salvage certificate as proof that the engine isn't stolen or if you sell the frame you can give the person the certificate with it.
 
Is he a local seller? Any chance the both of you can go to DMV with the "title" he will have, and they can check it out and let you know the bike's status? Last thing you want is the DMV telling you it's a fake title or there are outstanding fees.

I know it's superfluous, but any chance of you talking to the lawyer? Just to verify the back story?

Yes, a good deal is hard to pass up, but if there are too many obstacles that are popping up, the bike gods are trying to send you a message. Be careful, and try to look at the deal with as objectively as possible. You're doing a good job so far.
 
He's in SF and I'm in Salinas, so the only time we'd be able to go to DMV together would be if I'm already up there to pick up the bike. That part alone is making things a bit difficult, not to mention all the rest.
 
I don't know if it works for motorcycles* or not but I stumbled upon this on DMV's website while researching what I need to register my new (to me) vehicle. One of the sites has a salvage and insurance total loss report for $2.99. Not sure how good it is, but for three bucks I'd give it a shot.

dmv.ca.gov
National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS)

The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System is designed to protect consumers from fraud and unsafe vehicles and to keep stolen vehicles from being resold. NMVTIS is also a tool that assists states and law enforcement in deterring and preventing title fraud and other crimes.

Use NMVTIS to access important vehicle history information. Data available to consumers include:

• Title data
• Brand history
• Odometer reading
• Total loss history
• Salvage history
Click to expand...

* EDIT: I found a document on one of the websites that states it includes motorcycles.

instavin.com
The information in NMVTIS INCLUDES:

• Information on automobiles, buses, trucks, motorcycles...
• Information from insurance companies... beginning March 31, 2009. This information will include if the vehicle was determined to be a “total loss” by an insurance carrier.
Click to expand...
 
Dave check your PM and give me a call.
 
So the seller called yesterday. The title has arrived. It's still in his name, and the back for the transfer to a new owner is blank. The only thing that might still be an issue is that the bike previously came back with a release of liability to the insurance company. Do I need to make sure that they have filed a new release back to the seller first? Any other steps I need to take? And since I don't want to register this bike, will I still have to pay transfer fees or anything?
 
Sounds like you have some experience with this? In any case, I think it's better to keep it all public in case anyone else has the same questions later down the road. So, with that: would it be a good idea to have HIM get the salvage title first, or just have him sell it to me and let ME sort out the transfer and salvage at the same time?
 
I think he should get the certificate of ownership in HIS name and sell it to you as a parts bike :thumbup

While he is there he can initiate the paperwork to put it into your name. The key here is to not have the DMV under the impression that this thing needs to be registered :wtf That's where you get into the nightmarish situation of back fees .

This is just my opinion, but I think having him file for the certificate makes the entire deal easier and cleaner for you.
 
DaveT319 said:
So the seller called yesterday. The title has arrived. It's still in his name, and the back for the transfer to a new owner is blank. The only thing that might still be an issue is that the bike previously came back with a release of liability to the insurance company. Do I need to make sure that they have filed a new release back to the seller first? Any other steps I need to take? And since I don't want to register this bike, will I still have to pay transfer fees or anything?
Click to expand...

Last time I bought a parts bike I just kept the title in my folder and used the parts. If it's in his name, why drag your name into the computer? You're not using the frame or trying to re-register it, so just get the signed over title and bike and that's it. Keep the title as proof of ownership for the motor. If you really want I think you can get a salvage certificate or whatever in your name, but why bother.
 
That makes sense, but is it the right way? I mean, I obviously want to give the state as little of my money as possible. But I'm going to have to alter MY registration to reflect the new engine number, so the question would be if I have to transfer the title to my name on the crashed bike first?
 
aram said:
Last time I bought a parts bike I just kept the title in my folder and used the parts. If it's in his name, why drag your name into the computer? You're not using the frame or trying to re-register it, so just get the signed over title and bike and that's it. Keep the title as proof of ownership for the motor. If you really want I think you can get a salvage certificate or whatever in your name, but why bother.
Click to expand...

HERE is why:
If the bike is in the seller's name, unless he files a non-op the DMV will eventually track him down and he in turn will squeal like a stuck pig and point at Dave here.

Do it correctly or don't do it. (PERIOD)
Keep in mind you are not registering this bike, but you are recording the fact that you purchased a complete parts bike.

ONCE the DMV has its greedy jaw around your testicles you are screwed, blued, and tattooed.
Take the time now or a few years from now you will be buying a house or some equally enormous venture and you will have this awesome DMV judgement against you.

Have the seller get the junk/scrap certificate for the thing BEFORE he sells it to you. This is 90% of the doing it correctly part.

DO NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

OK, you know what I know now, good luck.
 
So thanks to all the comments and suggestions, and to silversvs for taking the time to talk to me over the phone about it, the bike is now in my garage. Special thanks to DannoXYZ for helping me get it home. I'll be dealing with the DMV in the next few days, and then it's time for the fun part of taking it apart and getting the engine into MY bike.

Thanks again everyone, really appreciate all the help.
 
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