Luckily it seems a few of you have dealt with old bikes in PA and was wondering what peoples' experiences have been. I came across a great deal for a possible runner, missing a battery at 200, OBO. Obviously the catch is that it doesn't have a title. I have family in Maine, a non-title state, and have heard of people exploiting a loop hole to register the sale in Maine, get a tag, and then transfer it into PA.
Has anyone else ever done this? Also, I don't need the title right away, the main thing I like about this bike is the very minimal upfront cost, and to start turning it into a cafe racer style bike. If my family is unable to help me out, there is a Maine resident on a cafe racer forum who has had success helping people with dozens of bikes for a total cost of 200. If I take that 200, then my total investment into a running titled bike might only be about 500 bucks before I have my way with it. What do you guys think?
I did it with a car. Used a title service in Maine. If you have "people" there you should be able to do it a lot cheaper. They needed pictures of the vehicle, picture of the VIN, and inspection done with a form filled out by an SAE certified mechanic, bill of sale and you'll have to get a limited power or attorney for your "people" in Maine. They'll register the vehicle in Maine, and get plates. Then you take the Maine registration to your DMV. Be sure to tell them that it's coming from a "non title issuing jurisdiction" and the registration serves in lew of a title. Otherwise they'll just give you another registration.
I have used International Title Service for 2 bikes now in PA. No problems at all. Price depends on cc. I paid around $250 ea. last year for my VT-500 and Seca 750.
They work their magic and you get a Vermont Registration in your name with a valid license plate. You can then transfer that registration to yourself here in PA (giving you a clean PA title) or you can slap the tag on the bike and ride it. (Thats what I did with both) at the end of the year you get a renewal from VT. YMMV
I bought an untitled bike but I have intention of ever putting it on the street. So it doesn't really matter.
