Why no titles?

Cal25 · 12-07-2010, 10:46 AM

I have been looking into getting an old Trail 70 to play with and be able to take with me when I go camping. I do plan on using mostly for on road use so street legal is a must. The problem I have encountered is that most of the bikes I have seen on Craigs List and even Ebay dont have titles. In my state (Texas) a bike must be titled to get tags. What good is a trail 70 without tags? There are many other options out there for a trail bike that is much better suited to strictly off road. Pit bikes offer MUCH greater suspension and often cheaper than a used trail 70. So I guess my question is, Why are there so many out there with no title?

katoranger · 12-07-2010, 11:58 AM

Not sure how TX is, but alot of states did not title bikes and some vehicles even thought they were registered and on the road.

A title is not needed for any vehicle 1985 and older in GA. Just a bill of sale.

Allen

Weldangrind · 12-07-2010, 12:16 PM

In the words of the great Bo Diddley in the movie Trading Places, "Burn my fingers, man. That thing is so hot, it's smokin'."

There is likely a certain amount of stolen property for sale on CL. In Canada, we can run a VIN online to see if the vehicle is stolen before we buy it. Certainly not all Trail 70 bikes are hot, but it's worth considering.

Another possibility is that original purchasers had no intention of titling the little bikes. Maybe they just wanted something to putt around the campground or racetrack pits on.

katoranger · 12-07-2010, 01:03 PM

I believe also that alot of the original titles were lost over the 30-40 years of ownership. These were inherited with no paperwork and now kids are trying to cash them in.

FastDoc · 12-07-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katoranger

I believe also that alot of the original titles were lost over the 30-40 years of ownership. These were inherited with no paperwork and now kids are trying to cash them in.

Thats what I see a lot of here. Also bikes/ATV's that were bought and used on the farm and never titled.

katoranger · 12-07-2010, 01:53 PM

Usually getting a title for something that old is not too difficult.

katoranger · 12-07-2010, 02:00 PM

This looks like the steps needed in TX. If you find one you want to buy you may want to see if the seller is willing to meet you at a police station to verify its hot or not status.

http://www.txdmv.gov/vehicles/titles/bonded.htm

I like the idea of the website to run VINs. Would save alot of hassle and probably cut down on theft.

Allen

Cal25 · 12-08-2010, 10:16 AM

I will keep that in mind if a good price comes up on a running, no title bike. Besides, if I look long enough, either a good buy will pop up or I will loose interest.

katoranger · 12-08-2010, 10:40 AM

Yep. I tend to lose interest after I buy.

MICRider · 12-10-2010, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katoranger

Yep. I tend to lose interest after I buy.

Lol! I'm the same way

As far as the titles on the CT's go, I too think that lots of people just bought them for bombing around farms and campgrounds and never bothered registering them. I bought my CT from my Uncle and he and his brother had both boughten identical machines to trail around on, I'm not sure if either one was ever registered. Was a fun little bike though, always started on one or two kicks until I messed with it.

Cheers,
Stew

Weldangrind · 12-10-2010, 12:03 PM

Totally fixable Stew. Go get it!

MICRider · 12-10-2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Totally fixable Stew. Go get it!

Yup, gonna go out some weekend and scoop it... Pretty sure what I messed up was the electrical. I vaguely remember (forgive me, I was like 12) using a big screwdriver through a hole in the flywheel to keep it from turning while I loosened the crankshaft bolt. I think I damaged the charging coil. I will probably retrofit it to a modern ignition if I can anyway. I think they have kits for that? Good part is that it's always been stored inside so it should still be in pretty decent shape

Weldangrind · 12-10-2010, 11:15 PM

You know we're gonna hold you to that Stew.

Yeah, I'd switch to 12v CDI for sure. Maybe that new 140 engine from Gio...

12-07-2010, 10:46 AM	#1
Cal25 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Terrell and Grapevine Tx. Posts: 1,585	Why no titles? I have been looking into getting an old Trail 70 to play with and be able to take with me when I go camping. I do plan on using mostly for on road use so street legal is a must. The problem I have encountered is that most of the bikes I have seen on Craigs List and even Ebay dont have titles. In my state (Texas) a bike must be titled to get tags. What good is a trail 70 without tags? There are many other options out there for a trail bike that is much better suited to strictly off road. Pit bikes offer MUCH greater suspension and often cheaper than a used trail 70. So I guess my question is, Why are there so many out there with no title?
	0

12-07-2010, 11:58 AM	#2
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Not sure how TX is, but alot of states did not title bikes and some vehicles even thought they were registered and on the road. A title is not needed for any vehicle 1985 and older in GA. Just a bill of sale. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

12-07-2010, 12:16 PM	#3
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	In the words of the great Bo Diddley in the movie Trading Places, "Burn my fingers, man. That thing is so hot, it's smokin'." There is likely a certain amount of stolen property for sale on CL. In Canada, we can run a VIN online to see if the vehicle is stolen before we buy it. Certainly not all Trail 70 bikes are hot, but it's worth considering. Another possibility is that original purchasers had no intention of titling the little bikes. Maybe they just wanted something to putt around the campground or racetrack pits on. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

12-07-2010, 01:03 PM	#4
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	I believe also that alot of the original titles were lost over the 30-40 years of ownership. These were inherited with no paperwork and now kids are trying to cash them in. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

12-07-2010, 01:53 PM	#6
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Usually getting a title for something that old is not too difficult. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

12-07-2010, 02:00 PM	#7
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	This looks like the steps needed in TX. If you find one you want to buy you may want to see if the seller is willing to meet you at a police station to verify its hot or not status. http://www.txdmv.gov/vehicles/titles/bonded.htm I like the idea of the website to run VINs. Would save alot of hassle and probably cut down on theft. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

12-08-2010, 10:16 AM	#8
Cal25 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Terrell and Grapevine Tx. Posts: 1,585	I will keep that in mind if a good price comes up on a running, no title bike. Besides, if I look long enough, either a good buy will pop up or I will loose interest.
	0

12-08-2010, 10:40 AM	#9
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Yep. I tend to lose interest after I buy. __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

12-10-2010, 12:03 PM	#11
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Totally fixable Stew. Go get it! __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

12-10-2010, 11:15 PM	#13
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	You know we're gonna hold you to that Stew. Yeah, I'd switch to 12v CDI for sure. Maybe that new 140 engine from Gio... __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0