Registering a bike in Mass w/o a title[?]

[nixoid]

So I'm looking at a vintage bike [1974] that is coming from Rhode Island from a guy who never got the title when he bought the bike.....

Has anyone tried to register a bike in Mass with this sort of issue before? How much is it going to cost me? are they even going to let me do it? I have the name of the guy who sold it to the one I am buying it from AND there are plates on the bike which were on the bike when the guy without the title bought it.

Any help?

[mycirus]

RI doesnt have Titles on old stuff. Bring a Bill of Sale and his previous Registration and you should be good to go.

Bruce

[Ryno]

I know in NH you don't need a title for anything over 15 years old.
Not sure what Mass is like, but a 74 shouldn't be that hard to get registered

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

In Mass you dint need a title for anything before 1980. You Must have
1) Previous owners regerstration.
2) Bill of sale
You will Pay $50 and then you will have a Mass title for the bike

DC

I have done this before

[nixoid]

Sweet 'goose thanks for the info.

If I don't have the registration but I do have a bill of sale from both the guy who sold it to me and the guy who sold it to him do you think this will suffice?

In Mass you dint need a title for anything before 1980. You Must have
1) Previous owners regerstration.
2) Bill of sale
You will Pay $50 and then you will have a Mass title for the bike

DC

I have done this before

[catch2otwo]

what happens if the previous owner never had it registered, aka it sat for 40 yrs?

[nixoid]

what happens if the previous owner never had it registered, aka it sat for 40 yrs?

#1 you would have to give the bike to me.

[nixoid]

you need the RI seller to go to the DMV in Pawtuckett and get a certificate in lieu of title. You will use this when you go to the MA RMV.

Thanks g®eg.

By "seller" do you mean the last person to register it? That person has been sent to Iraq so I don't think I'm going to find him...

Love to know

[nixoid]

hmmm
does the bike have a plate on it now?
if so, the registration will show who the owner is. I suggest you just contact the RI DMV

ask them how you get a "certified letter of registration" ($10)
then you should be all set

or... contact the RMV and see if it's even necessary...

All great advice GREG. I will look into this further. I may even show up with a truck and "borrow" the bike and try the registration process before the sale... If he's game. Seems like a real straight shooter.

Wish me luck

Kev