Buying a Title with NO bike

[ChrisK]

Some of you may know that I totaled an R6 recently. I have it listed on craigslist as parting it out. I get a call from a guy that is interested in the frame. I tell him it has a small crack in it but the frame does have a title. He says, "Well would you be interested in selling just the title?"

I'm confused.

He says that he has an R6 over in Europe, and he needs a title for it. In my head I'm thinking, I thought the VIN numbers on titles had to match the frame? Does anyone know what he might be trying to do?

[hbliam]

Tell him to come get the title and the bike and then he can do what ever he wants.

And yes, it's hinky.

[lazylightnin717]

Yep. Shady

I'd shy away from that real quick

[Speedbag]

Yep, shady as hell.

Probably has a stolen R6 and wants to transfer numbers to resell.

[Rudemouthsky]

I don't think it's shady. People buy junk frames just for the titles all the time. I could use one for my build, NOS frame has nothing stamped on it.

[Rudemouthsky]

Yep, shady as hell.

Probably has a stolen R6 and wants to transfer numbers to resell.

Yeah, good point. Still tho, when I lived in GA bikes were traded around and registered with bill of sales only, but when I moved back to OH that didn't fly. I still have an old 76 CB200t I have no way of titling. Buying junk bikes for the titles was one of the work arounds. I wouldn't just assume he's a crook.

[Howie]

Titles can be bought to get a legit bike registered, but I would not consider selling just title to a stranger. 

[hbliam]

I wouldn't just assume he's a crook.

When there is the possibility you could get sucked into his mess by association, it's always better to assume he's a crook.

You are right guys do buy junk bikes to get the titles but then they cut off and destroy the VIN on the junk bike or transfer it to the custom built bike. They don't normally just ask for the title and leave the same VIN on some other bike that would be floating around somewhere.

[J5]

cmon

have none of you heard of rebirthing ??

buy a title cheap

stolen bike, restamp the numbers

look legit bike

[Rudemouthsky]

When there is the possibility you could get sucked into his mess by association, it's always better to assume he's a crook.

You are right guys do buy junk bikes to get the titles but then they cut off and destroy the VIN on the junk bike or transfer it to the custom built bike. They don't normally just ask for the title and leave the same VIN on some other bike that would be floating around somewhere.

Yeah good point.

[Speedbag]

cmon

have none of you heard of rebirthing ??

buy a title cheap

stolen bike, restamp the numbers

look legit bike

Exactly.

[ChrisK]

Interesting... I'm just not going to call him back I think.