(second post, same as the first... but not vanished into thin air this time!)
I've been wanting a commuter beater/learner bike. Found this one but it's got some 'quirks'.
1: Doesn't run. For god knows what reason. I tinker though, so it's all good. I don't mind.
2: No title, "but know the person who has it."
3: Been down, but this doesn't bug me. Left side dinged up. Headlight, tank and plastic scratched, but motor and frame okay?
4: Has a "spare" frame, motor and other parts.
5: Don't know which frame this title they can 'get' goes to.
6: it's an 89 according to the frame and the color scheme, hasn't been street titled since 92, but has 13K on it.
7: Damned near brand new, not weather checked tires on it.
I don't care if it's dirty titled as long as I can title it later. I get the feeling it was a race bike at one point.... the only story I got is "my bro in law bought it non-running and never fixed it."
I think it might make a good tinkering project if I can get title. Anyone know how retitling a bike if they can't get ahold of the owner works?
Thoughts?
-Matt
for 250 i wont even stop. .. buy it.
you can figure out how to fix it.. or part it out for more if need be.
If you love to tinker more than you like to ride it sounds good.
Ever see the movie about the house "Money Pit".
You are better off kicking in a little more money and getting something that runs. These bikes are not that expensive.
If you really want to title it, better check into that first. Without a title, some states can be really tough. The parts alone are worth more than $250.
If you dont buy it I will!!!!
:thumb:
Financially, it's a good deal. But it may not be what you're looking for. Running, titled GSes in decent condition start at about $900, which really isn't so much more.
The guy who has the title, actually owns the bike. If you show up at his door asking him to sign-over the title to you, because you paid $250 to someone else, why would he bother? At the very least, he'd have to rummage through his old records boxes. You didn't pay him. I would say, if you can talk to the guy who has the actual title before you buy, then you have a chance of getting the title signed-over to you. Otherwise, it's more realistic to regard that bike as a pile of parts.
There is a process to get a title made for an abandoned bike, but if the bike has a title on-file with your state's DMV, then getting a second title made for you is impossible. I tried this in my state: I showed the VIN to the DMV, and they said "someone titled that bike 10 years ago, so you need to talk to them to get the title." I asked if they could tell me the name or address of the current title holder... "nope." I asked if they would send a letter to the current title holder, asking the current title holder to contact me... "nope." And they will not issue a new title because there already is one. (Note: I think that, if the bike were titled in another state, then I might have had a chance).
$250 would still be a good deal; you mentioned that it's in great condition; you could find a crashed GS500 with clear title or salvage title, probably for about that price or less. Your nice (but untitled) $250 bike can be used to make the titled bike good again. It would be nice if the salvage-title bike had a straight frame and working engine. Anything else can be replaced from the $250 parts bike.
If you can talk to the guy with the title, then you're buying a bike; otherwise, you're buying a pile of parts (at a good price).
Nah, the bike's not in great condition... only the tires were. :)
It looks very ridable once running, but I got smacked with the "you have too many projects already!" hammer. Not pretty, certainly ridable, definately trackable.
Here's a link if anyone's prepared to act on it, I'm sure the seller won't mind getting it off her front sidewalk. ;) It's in Seattle, WA. I have NO association or knowlege of this seller other than via email, never met them, etc.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/mcy/40299108.html