What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
Hi all,
In October of 2014 I purchased a motorcycle frame and motor from a guy on Craigslist. There was no other parts on the bike, just a stripped down frame and partially completed motor. I bought it with the intention of building it up from scratch. We checked it with the DMV and NICB to make sure it was not reported stolen, and all came up clean. So I spent the next 8 months buying the rest of the parts and building the bike. However once I was finished building the bike, I took it to the CHP to get a VIN verification done in order to get new paperwork from the DMV, and it turned out the bike was reported stolen back in the 90’s in the CHP database. The CHP was able to track down the original owner, so now I am in works with him to make a deal on either buying it from him, or if he would prefer, him taking the motor and frame back into his possession.
So here is my question. On the frame, I had the back half cut off and I added a new rear section to it. I paid $1000 to have this new rear section installed on the frame. So I am wondering, if the owner decides he wants to take the frame and motor back, is he legally required to pay me for the work I have done to it? Either that, or the other option is he has to let me remove the part that I added since I own it (I do have receipts for it)?
Upon doing some research, I found California Civil Code, Section 1025:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=civ&group=01001-02000&file=1025-1033
The way I understand this is that since I unknowingly purchased stolen property (in good faith), the owner must either pay me for the part I added to his frame, or let me remove it. That is, if he does decide he wants it back. I am going to have a phone call with him regarding what he wants to do, and I just want to be prepared if it comes to this.
Thanks!
Hi all,
In October of 2014 I purchased a motorcycle frame and motor from a guy on Craigslist. There was no other parts on the bike, just a stripped down frame and partially completed motor. I bought it with the intention of building it up from scratch. We checked it with the DMV and NICB to make sure it was not reported stolen, and all came up clean. So I spent the next 8 months buying the rest of the parts and building the bike. However once I was finished building the bike, I took it to the CHP to get a VIN verification done in order to get new paperwork from the DMV, and it turned out the bike was reported stolen back in the 90’s in the CHP database. The CHP was able to track down the original owner, so now I am in works with him to make a deal on either buying it from him, or if he would prefer, him taking the motor and frame back into his possession.
So here is my question. On the frame, I had the back half cut off and I added a new rear section to it. I paid $1000 to have this new rear section installed on the frame. So I am wondering, if the owner decides he wants to take the frame and motor back, is he legally required to pay me for the work I have done to it? Either that, or the other option is he has to let me remove the part that I added since I own it (I do have receipts for it)?
Upon doing some research, I found California Civil Code, Section 1025:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=civ&group=01001-02000&file=1025-1033
The way I understand this is that since I unknowingly purchased stolen property (in good faith), the owner must either pay me for the part I added to his frame, or let me remove it. That is, if he does decide he wants it back. I am going to have a phone call with him regarding what he wants to do, and I just want to be prepared if it comes to this.
Thanks!