What's the straight scoop on 'No Title' bikes in GA?

[BrianM]

I've only been back in GA for about 3 weeks now (lived here 2000~2004) and just started looking for bikes to occupy my time with. Since I'm a MC mechanic, I tend to buy cheap, fix and flip for a little profit. Besides there being NO "cheap" bikes here (seriously, non-running, rusted out hunks of junk have asking prices over $2,000?!!), I'm seeing a LOT of 'No Title' bikes. Now, I've done a lot of googling to see if I can track down info and what little that's out there is all over the map. On the GA DoR page (most trust-worthy), I see that no titles are available for pre-1963, they're optional for 1963~1985 and required for 1986+. That rules out the Vast majority of bikes I've checked (which are 1990+ in most every case). I know well enough to watch myself legally (stolen, fraudulent, etc..), but it seems as though a lot of people think it's pretty dang easy to go the bonded-title process in GA.

So, what I'd like to know (preferably from someone who's done it), is what the process was. Again, I've seen this page : http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov/motor/TitleSection/ts_Bonded.aspx talking about the process, but there's usually a whole heap of discrepancy between the info the state provides and the Real process once you get to dealing with local agents. I know the process in Colorado is utterly ignored by more than half the DMV agents, and much more expensive/convoluted than what they have posted (runs about $500 minimum and takes several weeks with multiple trips to difference offices...)

Anyway, any real world experience would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks ~ Brian

[MX Tuner]

Why would you consider buying a street legal bike with no title?

[THE MUFFIN MAN]

i had to get a bonded title once. bought a bike from someone in the music industry, and couldnt catch up to them to get the title. got tired of waiting and went the bonded route. basically, filled out the paperwork, made an appointment for local law enforcement to inspect/run the vin, and then waited about a month to get the title. it was pretty simple, worst part was of course, the waiting.

[Ga-Bandit]

here's some info:
http://www.georgiasportbike.com/showthread.php?4853-Clearing-a-slavage-title

[BrianM]

Thanks Joe... for the salvage title route looks like the inspection is easy enough, but there isn't an inspection (except by a LEO of the VIN) for no-title vehicles.

Mark, as for why? Because I see a potential to eek out a little money. Since I have nothing but time (unemployed since May 2009), I've been putting my otherwise-useless MMI training to use by fix and flipping bikes, peppered with too little service work. If I can add in doing time-consuming/annoying paperwork to re-title a bike and drag in a few dollars, then it's worth the hassle. Just investigating the option of filling a nitch market that seems to exist in GA (I've seriously never seen so many "no title" street bikes listed in the same place before).

[MrBlah]

I would have police check the vin on any of those bike before I handed over cash

[bluebull9]

Thanks Joe... for the salvage title route looks like the inspection is easy enough, but there isn't an inspection (except by a LEO of the VIN) for no-title vehicles.

Speaking from experience, If you buy a motorcycle, trailor, boat, vehice, or any other motor vehicle requiring a tag and title, the tage office will give the form and tell you not to fill out anything; it must all be done by the officer and be readable. During the "vehicle inspection", as it is called, the officer MUST run the VIN, ensure the VIN plates are on the vehicle according to manufacture standards and if not make a not of this in the from. In addition, the will ensure the vehicle is propely equided according to state law and safe to be operated.
The whole process takes less than 3 minutes, 60 seconds if the officer has GCIC and can run it himself. You take the signed form back to the tag office and as was stated earlier, the wait begins.

[Ringo®]

BluLightning and Asphalt Cycles are the 2 people you're looking for to chime in here I think.

[MX Tuner]

I didn't figure there would be that many title-less bikes out there. Maybe (hopefully) you found a useful niche! Kudos to you for finding it. Could be there are scores of bikes that could double in value with a little care and legal paperwork. If you develop a good working relationship with the state inspector and the girls at the DMV, it'll become quick, easy and relatively painless.

And where the hell is Warm Springs anyways? (yes, I'm too lazy to Google it)

[Ibleedgreen]

And where the hell is Warm Springs anyways? (yes, I'm too lazy to Google it)

If it's the one I'm thinking about it's down below LaGrange near Pine Mountain.

[MCas86]

I literally did the bonded title on my bike a couple months ago, don't remember the specific details but... I wasn't sure of the process so I paid to have it done, $125. Crazy enough and since I only paid $700... I took a WILD chance here : http://www.georgiatitlebond.com/index.html haha i know the website looks like a scam so instead i decided to call them and have it setup... within the next couple days I had all the paperwork I needed. I then took it to the police station and had them run the VIN and sign the papers. I took it to the DMV, at which point if you are applying for everything at once, they give you the plate... downside of bonded title from what I've heard you're not allowed to sell it for like 6 months, or until you receive the title. They allow the "original" owner to claim it if it is stolen or hand the title over. Thankfully enough, I got my title within the next month. Correct me if I'm wrong but this is how I went about it and remember it... I didn't pay much attention besides the general process in case i had to do it again... which if I have the choice I will NOT.

[SLLaffoon]

Don't just check if it's stolen either. Check for lien's as well.

[hilljason88]

Another quick point. When I did mine I was reading all the fine print, and I want to say it was a matter of 1-2years, where if the original owner can prove it's theirs, and you can't defend against it they have rights to the bike before you do, I think it also includes if you sell if you're still the one responsible, but could be wrong. Just something to keep in mind, you do hold some liability when you are getting the legal document made saying it's rightfully yours. Other than that, $130 or so, meeting with a cop like they said, short wait and you're good to go.