Guy has no paperwork on a non-running GS, but its cheap. Should I move on it?

[Juan1]

Someone is selling their GS500 for cheap, but there are two issues. 

1.  He claims he purchased it as a fix-er upper, but won't need it now.  The engine doesn't turn over.  Since engine rebuilds are inexpensive on this bike and his asking price is very low, I figured it wouldn't be a big deal.

2.  The guy has no paperwork on the bike.  What issues will I have making this thing legit?

About me:  This would be my first motorcycle, but I've wrenched on my car quite a bit.  If its mechanical, there are directions, and I'm given time, I can do it. 

[ben2go]

Very difficult to make legal without the proper paper work.I'd buy it for parts if it's cheap enough and keep my eye out for another bike to ride.

[frankieG]

run the vin numbers and pay no more than 200 bucks for it

[Juan1]

Since the guy wants $350, lives 2 hours away, and I'd have to rent a truck to get it, I probably won't go for it.  If anyone else is interested, the ad can be found here:  http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/mcy/740711932.html

[Trwhouse]

Scam, scam, scam.
Buy this and I think you'd have nothing but aggravation.
No one sells a 2001 GS500 for $350.
And the photo looks like the bike is nice.
Even more reason, if it's too good to be true, guess what?
It's probably not true!
Look for a nice bike at a reasonable price.
And no engine rebuild is ever cheap.
I don't know where you got that idea.
A nice GS500 can be found for $1500 to $2500 in good condition.
Keep looking and avoid the bargains that are never as cheap as they appear to be.
And definitely buy one with a title and all the legitimate paperwork.
Buyer beware, and good luck finding your bike. It's out there.
Keep looking.

[GeeP]

No paperwork?

How can you be sure it didn't disappear from the owner's garage last week?

I'd look elsewhere.  Even if you bought it to part, if it was indeed stolen the law could eventually catch up to you.  At that point, you'll be charged with receiving stolen property and probably forced to pay the replacement cost of the motorcycle.

Alternatively, if it is indeed his and there is a lien on the thing, the bank could eventually turn the screws on him.  At that point, he might say "Oh, here's the name of the nice man who bought it from me."  More trouble.

Bikes without titles are bad news.

[erbilabuc]

Whoah I know that bike and have seen it in person. That guy bought it for 250$ from a motorcycle shop in Riverside, CA. The owner of the bike could not pay to have the work done on the bike that had already been done (fix: gas tank, handlebars, rearsets) so he just left it at the shop. The owner of the shop plunked down 400$ in parts and the guy never paid him so he sold his bike without his permission. Technically its not stolen but yeah this guy has no paperwork. I almost bought that bike just for parts but everything is damaged on the right side and its all stock and so I decided its really not worth it. I guess the guy that bought it off the shop owner jumped on the gun too fast. The motor is toast, when you try to crank it it just makes a clunking sound but I bet the guy selling it now doenst know that because the bike has no battery in it to start it ( i had to bring my own).

peace