i fear i have screwed myself big time. i've got a '95 softail custom that i've had for a week. wasn't running when i got it, electrical/fuel problems. so i've sat down every night with it to get it running. it's my first bike, my first harley and the sound it made when it fired up almost made me cream my pants.

the bad news is the guy who sold it to me said he can't find the guy who has the title (he was supposed to be looking for it, but definitely had it). one of those friend of a friend deals. and i can't help but wonder if he ever had one. what is my next move? do i part the thing out? i really don't want to but i've been poking around the net looking for a solution and it doesn't look to promising.

any help at all. nothing shady or illegal, just any steps i can take to cover my ***, so i don't get this thing repoed or worse thrown in the can.

thanks in advance guys.

life is what happens while you're making other plans - john lennon

 

Welcome from Vancouver Island in Beautiful British Columbia. I don't know the answer, but unless it's hot, there has to be a way to get a new title. People must lose/destroy these things occasionally. Good luck.

 

I would never have bought it without a tittle if your state requires it. Some states dont require a title if its more than 10 years old. You should be able to apply for a duplicate title, again depending on what state you live in. Check your DMV for the laws of your state.

 

Welcome to the site. There is a lot of good information here.
Couple questions:
1. Did you buy the bike yet, and or get a bill of sale?
2. Does the person whom you bought the bike i(f you did) from really have the title, and is so can he apply for a lost title.
3. You should run the numbers to find out if it is hot, I would think.
4. Don't take any chances and end up getting yourself in trouble.

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

Answer: Never..never..never..buy a vehicle of any type without all the paper work in order first, or like you said your screwed. But the good news is, you got to cream your jeans!

 

Need more information,
1) what state you in?
2) who is the owner if you know that all you have to do is get him to go to the title burea with you and get a duplicate title and then sign over to you?
3) run the vin on your state DMV website and you may get the owners name if you don't have it
4) and most important never hand money over until you got a title
I would find out the true story before i parted anything out if you sell anything with a tracable vin on it and it turns up stolen your going to have a not so friendly visit from your local LEO.

 

Welcome from Motown!

 

Welcome from Wisconsin and good luck

 

+1 lionsm13. Welcome from Virginia