Looking for a parts bike with clean title. (and questions)

[tml1138]

Hello,

So I have the potential to buy a 2001 GZ250 pretty cheap. The problem is the seller doesn't have the title. He has paperwork to prove it's his, and I've checked online with the VIN and it checks out too. The problem is that the cycle dealer that the seller bought the bike from went out of businees, and it transferred through a couple lienholders until now the lien is with some small payday loan chain that won't help him. I've called the title bureau and it's fairly big hassle which also involves the courts to get a title. He wants to just get rid of it, and since I'm not the owner I can't do squat with it in this situation...except find another bike with a clean title and transfer all the parts to the main frame (or maybe get the tag instead and switch out, but I'm not sure that's legal. Makes sense to me to be legal the other way, even if it's harder to do).

So questions:
Does anyone have a bike frame for sale, or parts bike/wrecked bike? Or do they know if just transferring a VIN tag is legal? Then just the tag is needed. Either option with a clean title of course.
If a parts transfer to a frame is the best way to go, what years are interchangeable with 2001? (Maybe they all are?)

Let me add that I would need any other items where the VIN # is present. I think the engine casing might also have it? It's a hassle, but if I can do this on my budget and do it legally, then I'm happy to put in the effort.

Thanks!

[Water Warrior 2]

Save yourself a lot of trouble and wait to find a running bike with no paperwork problems. Don't buy some one else's problems.

[alantf]

I don't know anything about American titles, but if it's like the official, burocratic, paperwork of other countries, I think I'd just walk away from the whole deal. I dunno what can of worms might suddenly open up. :??:

[tml1138]

Yeah, I thought the same...then I got the guy to go down to $350 for it, so I'm torn right now. And this is a fully complete and running bike with less than 3000 miles on it.

[Water Warrior 2]

So you have a bike with a lien on it that needs to be paid off and a selling price also. Hmm. Might be well worth passing this one. Do you know what the lien is worth?? And are you willing to assume the lien/loan payments. Having never bought anything with a lien on it I don't know the ins and outs of the paperwork but it may get costly and complicated before you are done.
I would suggest looking for a bike with a clear title and less messing about.

[tml1138]

Believe me, it's not taking much to talk me out of this. I had other conditions that I'm not even sure the seller would agree to, but then I wouldn't buy the bike. Such as, a bill of sale that states as the buyer I'm free and clear of any liens or encumbrances. Signed and notarized.

But, its probably always something you'll worry about in the back of your head, that they may take you to court over this..etc etc.

But this was also why I was looking to get another clean title bike. If I just pay cash with no bill of sale, then I just bought some bike parts for cash off some guy. Still a slippery surface to tread on...

[Skunkhome]

It's a pile of parts not a bike. Unless you have a titled frame to put the engine and drivetrain in run, don't walk, away from that mess.