The ITS crap and all the rest will work ... well ... very very well ... if it was a bike that was titled in any other state other than NC. These were designed to work in the event someone does not have the title, AKA, you're home free as per them.

You could have someone in another state title it with the title you got and get it signed over to you, however Only SC as far as I know will title the bike without visual vin inspection. Unless they changed it in the last 3 years or so.

GA I know will need it. I have had to do it for this Idiot friend of mine for a bike he bought from NC.

NC rules are idiotic, strict rules are fine, NC rules are not strict, that is the last thing they are. Idiotic. No other description.

Cool.
Buddha.

Thank you for the ideas, folks.  Not a bad forum we have here.
 
I've made some headway today on the red-tape front. 
If anyone's following the thread: some officials are interested in determining whether you've worked to track down the owner on the original title (or last official one). 

I found two forms last night (DL-DPPA-1 and MVR605a) that work in North Carolina to find the full history of a vehicle, including previous owners and their driver's license history.  State officials are denying the forms (which is illegal under the FoI act).  This works to your favor, though.  You simply state that you've tried to submit the forms to find the info, that you've exhausted all other means of contact, and to no avail. 
A written letter stating that you've taken such measures should be included with the bonded title packet. 

I haven't yet been cleared to receive my own title on this thing, but I've been told that I'm nearly at completion and simply lack such a letter. 
No word on whether the letter needs to be notarized, but I don't think so.  There isn't a transfer of authority or anything, simply a statement of fact.  A simple signature should work. 



Here's to hoping!   


All in all, I've paid $100 for the bond (bare minimum in my state), tags and registration fees (yes, I was issued tags and registration for some reason), and inspection fee.  I paid a little extra to have the bond sent quickly, but I haven't paid notary fees at all. 
I filled out the complaint forms on the felonious seller, but I was told by the enforcement agency to not bother.  This also worked to my favor. 
What I'm understanding is that you should basically maintain a record of all the dead-ends, then include those dead-ends in your title application.  The state office wants to see that you're actually working to get the title.  Not that you're some thief just trying to slap papers together. 




If I can get it to work, I'll give you a seminar on my findings, Buddha.  You can get a powerpoint packet for $100 and a 9 week shipping delay.  Of course, you'll have to find at least 20 other buyers before my printer will work efficiently.  I can't buy paper in small amounts, only entire truck loads.   I reserve the right to cancel the contract at any time. 
And, after those packets are gone, I'm not gonna sell anymore.  Even though I could just send you the project file or post it for the entire forum.  Cause I wanna be a big shot, too. 

Excellent news!  Since they issued you tags and a reggie you can ride it!    Waiting for the title will be EEEEASY if you can ride while you wait!