getting an abandoned motorcycle title

So there is a 93 Suzuki vs1400 intruder abandoned in my parking lot for 2 years.I went to the court house to get a title application. But I need proof that I tried to contact the past register owner. There are no tags or plates.Now I was told the best way would be to hire a private investigator to have them run the VIN. Has anyone ever had any experience with attaining a title for an abandoned bike? Im trying to save it from another winter of abuse.

My buddy got a title for an abandoned bike. Did your title office happen to mention what they considered an acceptable attempt to contact the owner? I know the person who got his title for him ran an ad in the legal section of the paper for 16 weeks or something like that describing the bike where it was abandoned, etc. and that was acceptable to the state of Alabama. Check with you state and find out what they require. The title office won't be the best source of information as to how to do this.

Run an ad in the paper is the easiest way since 9/11 privacy laws make it harder to get owner information

the dmv is no longer allowed to give you that info based on the vin or plate number. a lawyer or court can get that info.

The DMV has r request for iinformation form its only a couple bucks to file it lets you know if it is a legal vehicle and if it has a legoit title in a specific state.

The first thing you need to do is have a police inspection done so as to not waste your time
call the police department have them do a police inspection they just run the numbers against the stolen vehicle data base if its stolen you dont want to invest a bunch of time

all right so just a little update if any one was wondering. i ran the VIN at the police station and the bike is not stolen. they gave me the address of the last registered owner. from there i went to the dmv to get the requirements for an ATTEMPT TO CONTACT. which was sent by certified mail to the last address along with copies of all other paper work. if the letter gets sign for and you hear nothing for 15 days you can bring everything to a judge and start the title process which does consist of a news paper ad. my was returning as UNDELIVERABLE. so i went to the judge just to find out that this thing is currently registered! i got a different address for the judge so i just paid him a visit. he said he was thinking of donateing it. there is an issues with the title he said the title was at a credit union in HI which is now out of business. is it worth it to get a bill of sale from this guy and start a new title process. with all the work that i have done so far i feel like it wont be to hard. any suggestions?

Sounds like an awful lot of effort for a Suzuki. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

So it has a lien then? Im interested in hearing what the outcome is, I wonder what happens now since you cant get a lien release?

not a ton of work really. i sent a few letters and a few vists to the dmv. ill see what goes into this title thing.

I hate getting titles. you and i are in the same boat my friend and for a suzuki even! It really sucks how hard it is to get a stupid piece of paper. Have you put a battery in it and some fresh gas to see if it fires up or not? Im curious:D You can usually hot wire these things pretty easy. There are alot of videos on Youtube on how to pick a motorcycle ignition. You can do it with an Eyeglass repair kit. I know it sounds bad but... my uncle showed me how to on a Yamaha XS1100 Worked for me when i lost the keys to my KZ1000LTD for a while. Then i found them again.

i remember seeing the bike run. and after talking to the owner this evening, he said the bike sat for a few years during a divorce and after that he had someone run though the engine. the bike sounded great from what i remember. the condition is not so great right now but, we'll see. i throw some photos around if i get it. i may push it in the garage tomorrow since he said it was cool. plus reno is having some pretty shitty weather right now.

If theres a lein on it, a bank somewhere has the title. You can pay it off and get the title.

Or buy a used frame off ebay. Make sure you contact the seller first that it comes with a clean title. They cant put that info in the ad, so email them.

I would buy a frame with a title off ebay and be done with it .Your gonna go thru the bike and make sure its road worthy .Problem solved and less of a hastle, I,ve done this and it was the best way for me!

Here in TX file for a bonded title about $150.00
After 6 months no one makes a claim the dmv will issue a clear title.
If a claim is made the reg. owner pays your costs to claim the bike
or signs the title over to you.