Buying a used Trackbike , what documents do I need from the seller?

[caboose56]

Being pulled over while they go through some sort of ownership check, or just tossing the whole truck because you don't have everything they normally expect. I'd like to avoid the whole inconvenience, personally.

So hypothetically...

Border Patrol - Do you have an ownership for that bike?

Me - No. It was a spare frame from Kawasaki Canada's race program. I got it through the dealership I used to work at. Here's the bill of sale for the frame from Inglis Cycle. There was no NVIS or title that came with it but the VIN is clean. Run it if you like.

Border Patrol - Ok. Thanks

Further, I have never been asked by customs (on either side) to see paperwork on any bike in tow.

 

[infernobuster]

So hypothetically...

Border Patrol - Do you have an ownership for that bike?

Me - No. It was a spare frame from Kawasaki Canada's race program. I got it through the dealership I used to work at. Here's the bill of sale for the frame from Inglis Cycle. There was no NVIS or title that came with it but the VIN is clean. Run it if you like.

Border Patrol - Ok. Thanks

Further, I have never been asked by customs (on either side) to see paperwork on any bike in tow.

Actually, the last few times weve been down to Jennings we were asked for paperwork for each bike.
I actually get each rider to attach the ownership or Y38 to the tank of each bike just for this purpose.

They took all of 5 minutes to look at each one, and allowed us to carry on.

 

[Shaman]

Yeah, I've been asked for bike ownership papers. Usually I just hand them the ownership for truck and bike with my passport. If they ask me why, I just tell them it's to save time. I've only been hassled once... a $14 bottle of irish cream turned into a $32 bottle. *sigh*

Y38 it is, even though I have the original sales docs, of course. Which reminds me I need to get the "new" 600 switched over to my name. Surprisingly, McCormick's team bought the bike with a full VIN.

 

[Paul1000RR]

What benefit is there in having an ownership for a track bike?

Perhaps being able to prove that the bike that you are in possession of isn't stolen?


You guys can deny it all you want, but a large % of stolen bikes become "track bikes".

 

[caboose56]

Perhaps being able to prove that the bike that you are in possession of isn't stolen?

You guys can deny it all you want, but a large % of stolen bikes become "track bikes".

If the bike has a valid VIN a simple check by the Border Patrol will show that it's not stolen.. regardless of whether or not the owner has any paperwork for it.

If someone is crossing the border with a bike that has had the VIN altered or removed and they have no supporting documentation...... well you can't fix stupid.

 

[bowells]

I'm curious. What are you paranoid of?

i was just paranoid in case my bike was stolen after I purchased it; my documentation looks weak to claim it was mine ( no owners permit, just bill of sale and affidavit which wasn't even notarized)
The bike was not registered to the person who sold it to me. He bought it with only a bill of sale and had no owners permit...And this is how he sold it to me , with only a bill of sale and a non notarized affidavit.
I ran a "CARPROOF" vehicle history check( much more thorough than any MTO UVIP) and the bike is clear of any liens and is NOT stolen
So , whoever had their name registered last on this bike looks like the real owner, on paper, and not myself in case "sh*t" goes down....
That was my paranoia ..

 

[skapan]

I can see that border officials may ask you to prove that you own the bike, and simply showing that it's not stolen would not be good enough. I can see that it could become an issue - Y38 seems like a good thing in this case. They gave me a hard time once because I had two bikes and I was by myself, but I had ownerships for both. And they wanted the ownership for the trailer, I guess he was having a tough day.

 

[kneedragger88]

Been buying,selling and racing bikes in the states for years (well over 25yrs). I have been asked a couple times for titles, I rarely have any I just tell them that they are purpose built bikes for closed course competition and that they are built from parts and dont have titles. I literally hundreds of trips I have never had an issue. Bigger problem for me was once I got a AMA Pro license they are more concerned with the potential of winning prize money. THAT causes all kinds of headaches, its what got Szoke booted out of the states for a few years.
I think street/trackday guys potentially have a bigger headache. When a border agent looks in the trailer and sees multiple bikes all with numbers, then leathers, spares,tools,leathers etc they get a pretty clear pic of whats going on.
Just my experience.

 

[corbo]

About five years ago went down to the states , one of the guys did not have ownership , he played it was a trackbike etc .
US border said thank you and now that the bike is in the US it got seized , took him 2 weeks to get bike back he had to go back to T.O without the bike file for a lost ownership . then had to submit all documentation to US border before it was released, as far as US border was concerened it was up to owner to prove it was not stolen, was a huge **** show, worst part about it is the Border officer rode bikes figured it would have bought him some slack all it did was give him more ammo , started going on about stolen bikes converted to track and then resold as parts etc
proof of ownership is the only way to cover yourself.