Problems with title...

[elementguy053]

So I made a mega boner and bought a bike without the title. I had checked the VIN with the Police and it wasn't stolen.
I have a bill of sale from the previous owner, but it hasn't been registered since '05, and has been sold twice since.
When I went to the Tag Office, I learned that I cannot register with just a bill of sale, and that the last person to register the bike had put a lien on it with GE Financial.
They said I have to find out if the lien is resolved and get a signed form from the lien holder, and then I can apply for a duplicate title.
I am having trouble getting any help from GE since I'm not an account holder, and finding the previous owner will be next to impossible.
I'm trying, though!
Any thoughts? Suggestions?
I spent $700, I'd hate to have to part it off.

[qwertydude]

Part it, you'll never get a stubborn previous owner to give you the title. You'll likely find he wants money to give you the title, then you've just paid twice. For 700 bucks you can easily part it and make a profit.

[scottpA_GS]

Shouldnt be a problem getting a letter from them

I had no problems contacting GE (or better said) the co. now handeling GE's loans) to check on my bikes lien status when I got it with no title. Its been a few years but I do know that the loans are no longer handled by GE themselvs... they are though another CO. But I contacted them and they sent me a letter stating the lien was free and clear without me needing to put fourth any effort.. Shouldnt matter if you dont have an account or not.

If you are really stuck and cant get the correct contact PM me I will give you what I have.

 

[tt_four]

what'd you get?!

[Jared]

What year is the bike?

A few ways to go here...

Do an abandoned vehicle deal... (check with your dmv on what you need to do) in MD you have to:
Get the last registered guys info and try to track them down....(certified letter) when that comes back unanswered you run in add in a local paper for so many days stating what the dmv requires... and wait for an answer ( stating the vehicle is abandoned and they need to contact you to do something about it..-pay you storage ). When you get no replies for that you fill out something else and get it signed off and eventually you get a title...(I may have omitted a step...luckily I've never had to go this route).
If there's no Lien still- you should be in ok shape.

Buy a titled frame- swap it all over- you're willing to part it...just do some more wrenching and have a bike....-You bought it legally with a bill of sale so no worries there...Sell the untitled frame with Bill of sale to a racer or something.