Registering a dirt bike with no bill of sale and with a lien on it.?

Question

My brother bought a foreclosed house here in Southern California, and the previous occupants left a kid's dirt bike behind. It's really beat up, so he gave it to me, but when I tried to register it, the DMV told me I couldn't because the finance company still held a lien on it. I contacted the finance co. , but they wouldn't give me any information, because I'm not the registered owner!! We talked to the people that left the bike at the house, but they said that they bought it at a garage sale for $25, and that those people had moved out of state shortly thereafter. Basically, I have no way of knowing who the original owners were. I had the local sheriff's dept. check the V.I.N. to see if the bike had been reported stolen, but it hadn't. Can anyone tell me how to get out of this vicious circle? Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

There is no simple way to get the title issues solved. Try contacting the finance company again and explain the situation completely. You could also see if the DMV can help look up the registered owner's name and address. Other than what I have suggested, I don't know of a way to help. Good luck. BTW....a bill of sale does not make you the legal owner. It just shows who sold it to you and what you paid. A title is the ONLY document that establishes ownership.

Answer 2

If you are going to use the bike for off road purposes only I don't think you need to register it.   As long as you have a bill of sale that says who you bought it from you are the legal owner.

You just wont be able to get a plate and drive it on the street.