Motorcycle without a title

[justalayman]

Justalayman suggests the towing company is illegal, it isn't.
If I called them and said get this motorcycle out of my yard I don't have a title. They would gladly tow it away.

but it is not abandoned PLUS the tow company cannot simply sell it to you. I would have to check to verify but in any state I have researched it for, the tow company is required to auction the vehicle in a public auction. That helps prevent exactly what you are considering.

did a quick preliminary check. It seems the tow operator is required to hold the vehicle for up to 6 months and then it can be sold at public auction. During the hold period, the registered owner will be contacted and offered the right to reclaim the vehicle for costs.

If no contact is made by the owner, a public notice will be place in a newspaper of the last known residence of the title owner stating they have possesion of the the vehicle. If the time the value of the storage fee from the towing company exceeds the value of the motorcycle. The motorcycle can be sold to recover fees for towing, for them to sell it they (the towing company) will be issued a title. Then I can buy it from them. All legal and not a GD thing the state could do.

auction, not direct sale

There is one wrinkle in this avenue. If the owner claims ownership and pays for the storage fee, I'm out the money I paid for it and without my lawn ornament (just for you Justalayman)

there are more wrinkles than that but what they hey, if you think it will work, go for it. If the tow operator is shady enough, he can make it work.

 

[Teddyb3]

Just a few things.

#1 I just joined this forum

#2 the original post stated that he tried to contact the original owner and go thru all the legal and proper avenues. But was still hit with problems. He was asking for alternative ways to obtain a title legally.

#3 I found this by searching how to get a title for a vehicle without one since I am thinking of buying a bike that has no title.

Here in PA I do know that a salvage company must be registered to tow abandoned vehicles away. The person I knew that used to do it was called by the police and he towed it away. At that point it was held for his fee. He was able to obtain the legal owners name and address and possibly phone number and send them the documents stating where the vehicle was and what the costs to get it back (his fees). Also if there was a lien on the vehicle the lien holder was also contacted. If after a period of time it was not claimed he could advertise it for auction. The opening bid was his fees. If nobody showed up it was then his vehicle to do what he wanted (resell, part out, etc) Only a few times had anyone ever showed up to bid. Also he said he had one that had a lien on it but that the car was not worth the amount of the lien so the lien holder sent him the title for the vehicle. Once a new title was issued any older titles were no longer valid.

I had junked a vehicle I had one time and signed the title over to the junkyard. A year or so later someone called me and wanted to buy the vehicle from the junkyard but they had lost the title. The person paid all the fees to the state and a new title was sent to me. I called the guy (phone was dissconnected) but never heard another word from him. Perhaps the guy had called and you missed his call maybe call him again to see if he got it yet.

Going the avenue of the salvage yard you spoke of may be legal BUT I would think that if the registered owner came forward even after you have a legal title he could cause you a lot of trouble and in a court still obtain the vehicle from you.

If the original owner passed away then his heirs would be the new owners of the vehicle and may be willing to aid you in getting legal title to the vehicle in question.

You are in for a long and hard battle to get proper ownership of the vehicle in question. Perhaps talking with a attorney would be a wise decision. Most usually will provide free consultation and then charge a reasonable fee to help you get legal ownership.

 

[racer72]

Just a few things.

#1 I just joined this forum

Please don't necropost, this thread is over a year old and the OP is long gone.

 

[army_mp1999]

Same Problem

Please don't necropost, this thread is over a year old and the OP is long gone.

I haave the same problem and am wondering how I can go about finding the last registered owner of the motorcycle? If anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you and have a good day