I currently own a non matching numbers BMW R75/5 and have the opportunity to buy a matching frame and engine for a good price from a seller in the states. Unfortunately, it has sat for several years and has no title. I plan on transferring over the non matching bike's bodywork/wheels and all that. What i am wondering is, am I going to run into problems registering the bike in ON with no title or much history. These airheads also have shorter VINs than other vehicles so records are hard to find. Does anyone here have experience with this?
Buying Project with no title
- Thread starter inigo
- Start date
silverbullet132
Well-known member
Not possible unless you hire one of those lost title companies in the state you found the bike.
Does having matching numbers really matter that much to go through all the hassle?
Exactly. There is no money in fixing up bikes unless you are charging someone else to work on theirs.
Without a valid US title you'll never be able to get a valid Ontario ownership, so you'd be no further ahead. There's a good chance you'd not even be able to get it across the border for that matter if the border guard recognizes what it is.
you'll have an interesting project just getting it through customs without a title in hand. Getting a lost title in the state your purchasing is doable, but the logistics since your here wont be easy.
Want to buy an R75/5 out of my garage? It has an Ontario title.
Want to buy an R75/5 out of my garage? It has an Ontario title.
statsman
Well-known member
Over the years, I have bought and restored 3 motorcycles as a hobby.
When I first started, I was advised to never buy one without a title. It was good advice.
The most common recurring theme on this forum deals with this very question.
While it appears that it is possible to get an untitled motorcycle registered in Ontario, it also seems to involve a level of bureaucratic hassle that is immense.
Especially when all you want to do is ride.
When I first started, I was advised to never buy one without a title. It was good advice.
The most common recurring theme on this forum deals with this very question.
While it appears that it is possible to get an untitled motorcycle registered in Ontario, it also seems to involve a level of bureaucratic hassle that is immense.
Especially when all you want to do is ride.
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GateKeeper
Well-known member
Not sure if I remember correctly but I heard some States will do up a new Title with just a Bill of Sale, get on some of the bike sites that have more US forum members and ask....
With you being here and the bike being there with no title, once you discover what the issues and the amount of work involved with getting a replacement title then getting it back home, it may in the end not be such a "good price" when all is said and done.
starboy869
Well-known member
Getting a title for a bike already registered in Canada isn't too hard. I had to get one a few years back. All I had to was write a notarized letter stating how I acquired the frame, and included an rcmp vin check (free online). The MTO keeps the letter when you register it.
Out of country? Probably won't make it through customs, and if it did you probably won't be able to get a title.
Out of country? Probably won't make it through customs, and if it did you probably won't be able to get a title.
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superseven
Well-known member
Why not ask the seller to get a title and you will pay him a additional amount of money for his trouble?
If you buy a frame and engine, then it's considered parts and not a complete bike. So you only need to claim bike parts when crossing the border. Registering the US frame in Canada is another story. Can be done but a bit of a process.
Yes they are parts, but they came from a titled vehicle at some point in their life. You can get waved through customs OR be asked to go to secondary and show proof of purchase and wait for VIN #'s be checked. And then have to prove the value or wait while they decern value. It's all very doable , but its not always easy as it looks.
