Title trouble...

[restoguy]

Well after owning it for 3 years, I finally just got pissed off and went balls out to get the title for my Typhoon. And failed.

Back story
I bought it at an insurance auction with a Bill Of Sale. I have done this before and just had the last registered owner apply for a duplicate. No problem. I contacted the previous owner of this Ty and he said he'd help. But he really didn't put much effort into it, so 3 years later I drove to his house and took him to the DMV to get the title. Apparently it has been 'surrendered as junk' and can never be re-titled. I live in a neighboring state, but my state says they will not title a vehicle that has been 'junked' in another state. The damage is very minor and I have no idea why it was junked, but it is an 'irreversable' condition. I'm looking into a 'built from parts' title, but I want to keep the VIN and I'm afraid the state will shoot that down.

Anybody have any ideas/experience here? If you don't want to discuss it publicly, for what ever reason, feel free to PM me...

Sure looks unrepairable to me... I put a new wheel and a tie rod end on it and drive it around just like that!

 

[wildphil]

Re: Title trouble...

Do you have any relatives in another state that can get it titled?

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Title trouble...

It might be helpful to know what state you live in or are trying to get a title from.

 

[powercat6]

Re: Title trouble...

From http://www.ksrevenue.org/faqs-dmvtandr.html#salvage

"I just purchased a vehicle in another state and the seller assigned to me a nonrepairable or junk certificate or certificate of destruction, etc. Can I repair the vehicle and obtain a title and registration in Kansas?

No. Vehicles that are titled as nonrepairable, junk, destruction, etc., are to be used as parts only or scrap vehicles. These vehicles are not to be sold as complete units (all in one piece) and you cannot apply for any type of title or registration in Kansas. If the titling jurisdiction (state) that issued the ownership document allows for the vehicle to be repaired and returned to roadworthy operation, that state will have to issue a title (salvage or rebuilt salvage) before making application for a Kansas rebuilt salvage certificate of title and registration."

Based on the bold statements it appears if you got the Ty repaired and were able to get it titled in Colorado, then you could transfer it to Kansas. The problem is Colorado may not overturn the junk status and you would need an address in Colorado to register/title it to.

 

[powercat6]

Re: Title trouble...

One aspect of out of state registration that I never see mentioned among all the suggestions of "use an out of state address" is Insurance. Virtually all states require proof of insurance before registration will be completed. My experience has been that it is very difficult to obtain an auto insurance policy if you are NOT a resident of that state. No one ever mentions this. But its a game-stopper for an out of state registration strategy.

Dave's right; I had to call my insurance co. from the DMV lobby; add my Ty to the policy and they faxed the proof to the DMV.

 

[red typhoon]

Re: Title trouble...

well bud you are out of luck. i buy insurence car every day and one's a car has a junk title or c/d like florida, it a parts car. the only state that i know that you mite get away with getting a rebuildable or salvage title is kentucky. a guy i know and has a dealer there he buy them in florida with a c/d title and make the salvage title there .but remember you can't take the car back to the state that gave the car a junk title they wount title the car again it will work in other state not there . i wish. i would be making alot more money if that was posible .

 

[warmpancakes]

Re: Title trouble...

its a scrap title thats a bell that cant be unrung, you can get a assembled title with a assigned VIN

 

[restoguy]

Re: Title trouble...

Well, there's a small light at the end of this tunnel. It might just be a reflection from my flashlight, but... I talked to the insurance company that totaled it today. They told me they submitted it to the auction with the request that it get a SALVAGE title, not junk. The auction company takes care of all the title work. If the state of CO happend to make a mistake then they will have to fix it. I'm guessing the auction company is where the mistake was made, but maybe I'll get lucky. Haven't heard from them yet.

Otherwise, in CO you can apply for a "builders title" but the vehicle has to be 25yrs old. I may have to do something else for the next few years and then apply for the CO builders title to get it all straightened up when it's old enough.

I have friends and family all over the country, but I don't know where to go with it to get it 'fixed'. I'm all ears if any one has experience doing this...

Anybody have a 93 Ty they parted?.... Preferably a white one...

 

[warmpancakes]

Re: Title trouble...

I have friends and family all over the country, but I don't know where to go with it to get it 'fixed'. I'm all ears if any one has experience doing this...

Anybody have a 93 Ty they parted?.... Preferably a white one...

Theres no legal way to fix a title

 

[johnboy89]

Re: Title trouble...

I know you're across the country, but in RI all you need is a bill of sale and previous registration to register a car over 10 years old, no title required.

 

[restoguy]

Re: Title trouble...

Not neccessarily true, Warmpancakes. They are being closed rapidly, but there have been loop holes in the past. For example: A state like, say Louisiana might issue a "flood" title for a car that was drowned in a hurricane. But another state, say Montana, doesn't experience floods so they don't have a provision for that type of title. When you take the flood car to MT, it may get a normal title. (this example is just two states I pulled out of my... well, I didn't check the accuracy of the example so don't flame me because MT has 'flood titles') As I said, these loop holes are being closed very rapidly and most states have more or less the same types of rules anymore. I do know a guy in Mexico...

My personal experience...
A few months ago I called the DMV and Highway Patrol about getting plates and a title for my XR400 Honda (which had previously been used 'off-road only') they told me that it was "impossible" "can not be done". If it didn't leave the dealer show room with a road title, you WILL NOT get one, I was told. So I sold it to a friend in a state that allows tagging of 'dirt bikes' if they meet the minimum safety requirements for road use. It was inspected, tagged, and a title issued. He then sold it back to me and I took the title, got my VIN inspection, and was issued plates in the state that said I couldn't do it. 'Where there's a will, there's a way' I was always told

I'm not trying to rip anybody off or do anything unsafe in either case (XR400/Typhoon). I just want what should be anyway. The Ty deserves to be rebuilt and my XR deserved tags. The motorcycle law was written by someone who never even rode a motorcycle and who's neighbor rode a KX250 up and down the street all hours of the day and night. Ignorance and anger formed that law. The laws affecting my Ty are in place to keep unsuspecting buyers from getting ripped off by shady dirtbags. How about a provision that allows me to rebuild it regardless of the condition/title but I can't sell it for 5yrs? The scumbags won't wait that long I suspect, but I will.

 

[restoguy]

Re: Title trouble...

I know you're across the country, but in RI all you need is a bill of sale and previous registration to register a car over 10 years old, no title required.

Now there's a place to start. Who do I know in RI...

 

[Throws]

Re: Title trouble...

So now we're talking about washing a title?

-P

 

[restoguy]

Re: Title trouble...

Only if they make me. I want to do it legit, but... I always consider the 'letter of the law' and the 'spirit of the law' When I can't follow the letter, I will try to follow the spirit. However the spirit is viewed differently by different people and can sometimes land you in jail!

 

[Poconojoe]

Re: Title trouble...

One aspect of out of state registration that I never see mentioned among all the suggestions of "use an out of state address" is Insurance. Virtually all states require proof of insurance before registration will be completed. My experience has been that it is very difficult to obtain an auto insurance policy if you are NOT a resident of that state. No one ever mentions this. But its a game-stopper for an out of state registration strategy. The insurance companies want your drivers license number. So you need the appropriate state's D/L. This strategy doesn't work any more. If someone knows a work-around, please do-tell.

Dave there are states like PA that only require insurance if you are registering the vehicle, not if you're just transfering it. I've bought several vehicle that I knew I wouldn't be using for a while since most of the time they needed work. I just transfered the title and didn't get plates for it and no proof of insurance was required. You did need a valid license or goverment issued picture ID but I know PA will accept out of state ID

 

[blacktyaffair]

Re: Title trouble...

Dave there are states like PA that only require insurance if you are registering the vehicle, not if you're just transfering it. I've bought several vehicle that I knew I wouldn't be using for a while since most of the time they needed work. I just transfered the title and didn't get plates for it and no proof of insurance was required. You did need a valid license or goverment issued picture ID but I know PA will accept out of state ID

Same as in New Mexico. I was able to transfer a title on a LUV, with no insurance. Good luck!

 

[restoguy]

Re: Title trouble...

I'm pretty sure my state requires proof of insurance to use the bathroom at the DMV...!

I don't think it matters where the insurance is from as long as you have it. When I did the XR400, my friend never insured it. I did, in my name, in my state. The DMV just wants the liability release that it has insurance and they won't get sued. A state may require that the insurance meets their minimums if it's from another state, though. And I'm sure there are those communist jurisdictions that will require otherwise, but...

 

[berzerker]

Re: Title trouble...

i was told years ago in Colorado when a salvage title is issued on a vehicle . when said vehicle is repaired and in road worthy condition and is taken to a local / registered owners county police municipal . the will inspect the vehicle and issue a reverse order of salvage / junk title and allow a new registration . the new title will be marked with a previous salvage title water mark though, to mark a previous salvage issue .

 

[restoguy]

Re: Title trouble...

For 'salvage' titles that's how it works in most states. It has to be inspected by the highway patrol and then it's issued a new title that says 'formerly salvage'. But a 'junk' title is different. That means parts only-never to be retitled in any way. The form says in big bold red letters that this is 'irreversable'. Florida calls their's Certificate of Destruction. It must be dismantled/crushed. I've had salvage titles before, this is my first go with a junk title....

 

[berzerker]

Re: Title trouble...

For 'salvage' titles that's how it works in most states. It has to be inspected by the highway patrol and then it's issued a new title that says 'formerly salvage'. But a 'junk' title is different. That means parts only-never to be retitled in any way. The form says in big bold red letters that this is 'irreversable'. Florida calls their's Certificate of Destruction. It must be dismantled/crushed. I've had salvage titles before, this is my first go with a junk title....

i know a guy in the retail / wholesale auto business . he may know a loop hole to get around this . other than that . may have to drop back and punt .