Title help

My first post. Have a 74 850 Commando owned since early 80's. Came from tow lot. Read old posts on forum and hope titling has gotten easier. Need to sell with title. Running out of steam. Thanks for any help.

where are you located?

I'vd had clear title to my Norton since I bought it in 1973, when it was 2 years old. I am the second owner. Recently, when I took my clear but old Illinois title to the Secretary of State facility (equivalent to DMV) they had some issues, but finally issued a new plate, first one since about 1985. this week, I got a letter from SOS requesting additional (redundant) information, so I filled out the form and mailed it in. Government minions are a pain in the ass wherever you may be.

I'm in Mebane NC. Bike from VA or WV. thanks for any help Doug

Each state has a slightly different process. See the middle part of this page.
http://www.dmv.org/nc-north-carolina/bu ... ations.php
http://www.ncdot.gov/download/dmv/VR_MVR92A.pdf
Looks like North Carolina is similar to Texas in that you post a bond and then get a bonded title. I went through the Texas process last summer and it wasn't that bad. It cost about 100$ for a 5000$ bond which was the stated worth of the bike. If someone were to make a claim that they legitimetely owned it, I would get the bond amount and they would get the bike. After a 3 year period if no one else tries to claim it the state will issue me a clear title. Something to keep in mind before pouring big $ into a restoration. Helps if you have a bill of sale but not absolutely necessary.

htown16 said:

Each state has a slightly different process. See the middle part of this page.
http://www.dmv.org/nc-north-carolina/bu ... ations.php
http://www.ncdot.gov/download/dmv/VR_MVR92A.pdf
Looks like North Carolina is similar to Texas in that you post a bond and then get a bonded title. I went through the Texas process last summer and it wasn't that bad. It cost about 100$ for a 5000$ bond which was the stated worth of the bike. If someone were to make a claim that they legitimetely owned it, I would get the bond amount and they would get the bike. After a 3 year period if no one else tries to claim it the state will issue me a clear title. Something to keep in mind before pouring big $ into a restoration. Helps if you have a bill of sale but not absolutely necessary.

Click to expand...

Great info htown16 , thanks for posting it here. I think the next time I get back to Houston I will go and start this process for my '69 basket case. I bought it from a junk yard years ago back in the '80's and it's been in the corner of my garage forever. I don't see myself working on it anytime soon but I can at least get this hurdle out of the way. Fortunately I have a bill of sale to help ease the pain.

Here is the Texas link.
http://txdmv.gov/motorists/buying-or-se ... h-no-title
The Texas DMV has a regional office in Houston, so probably best to go in person. Allow plenty of time and try to keep your sense of humor in tact. Nobody there is going to have heard of a Norton, so they will probably have to go back and forth with a manager. Establishing the value was the hardest part as it won't be in their system. Take plenty of pictures and any value guide info you can find like, NADA and others.
Because I had good photos of the vin's on the frame, engine and gearbox I didn't have to have the police inspect them, they may make you do this. Shouldn't be a big deal. There are several insurance places in Houston that sell the title bonds, just google it. The process is time consuming and frustrating but there isn't any alternative.
I titled a bike about ten years ago using a title service. Basically you sell them the bike with a bill of sale, they get a title in a state that has more lenient rules, Alabama in my case. Then they sell you the bike back with an Alabama title. You then took that to the Texas DMV and turned in the Alabama title for a Texas one. I have heard Texas has cracked down on this and won't issue one any more. It also cost about $250 at the time.