bike with a salvage title question

[Clark]

pickin up a wee strom that was laid down.. it didn't have crashbars and it did damage to the plastics on 1 side.. those pesky plastics are EXPEN$IVE so the ins. company totaled the bike and it has a salvage title. all plastics have been replaced and she looks like new again.. I was just wonderin if anyone knows if there is some way to determine the bike could have a regular title again and if so how to do it?? tanks

[Ghost Rider 2]

  Some states I am told you can get a rebuilt title. Here in Illinois I think after it has been labeled as salvage it is over for the bike.

[Denny47]

Don't know what state you're in but here you can register a vehicle with a salvage title and ride it. Just can't get much for it when you sell and no dealer will trade for it. Might only be able to get liability insurance, you'd have to check w/ your agent.

[Rams]

I've been recently advised that both TN and MI title regs are somewhat liberal and one can re-title.  Don't know the process but, normally once a VIN has been tagged as salvage, it's gonna stick if it's ever re-registered in the same state.  

I'm currently looking at a bike for my daughter, she has a limited budget but wants to ride so I found one within her price range but, it's in WI.  Once it got totaled by the insurance company, it was dead in WI from what I've learned.  But, have been advised to retitle it in MI or TN to get the paperwork done.


If I'm speaking in error, someone please enlighten me.

[Clark]

I may have mis spoke..IMAGINE THAT   this bike has a rebuilt title.. dunno if that is different from a salvage title or not.. soo if its true about michigan or tenn..how would i go about doin that??

[PAVALKER]

I may have mis spoke..IMAGINE THAT  this bike has a rebuilt title.. dunno if that is different from a salvage title or not.. soo if its true about michigan or tenn..how would i go about doin that??

I think the "rebuilt" is a step above the "salvage" title, after it has been salvaged and then rebuilt.  Not sure of your state specifics, but sometimes it has to go thru quite a bit of repair verification and inspection to get that "rebuilt" title.   That being said, the money you might expect from either the rebuilt or salvaged in a resale is limited.  If you aren't interested in resale and can get it cheap enough to ride it into the ground... then it could be well worth it.  Some insurance co's have limitations or restrictions on coverage on those types of vehicles as well from what I have heard.   I have also "heard" of titles being  made "normal" or regular when the sale of a rebuilt vehicle is done from one state to another, and those states above sound familiar.

What some might consider "cosmetic" might actually be significantly more than cosmetic actually.... and if you have experience at a used car lot (either selling or buying) you can appreciate that.



 

[Lawdog]

My understanding of rebuilt verses salvage is rebuilt is certified the repairs are like new and salvage is just for parts. I will check on the difference and get back to you on the actual law in TN it may take me a day or two dealing with the DMV can be a pain.

[Kidd]

No , you miss wrote , not miss spoke

I may have mis spoke..IMAGINE THAT   this bike has a rebuilt title.. dunno if that is different from a salvage title or not.. soo if its true about michigan or tenn..how would i go about doin that??

[Clark]

My understanding of rebuilt verses salvage is rebuilt is certified the repairs are like new and salvage is just for parts. I will check on the difference and get back to you on the actual law in TN it may take me a day or two dealing with the DMV can be a pain.

THANKS BUDDY

[Clark]

hey LAWDOG. if ya see this post b4 ya talk to anyone pleeeez ask what I would need to do to get a title in tenn. since I am outa state.. THANKS

[chip]

Both my Valkyries are "Prior Salvage" titled. I purchased them from an insurance co. repaired all the damage, took it and ALL the reciepts to the Mo. state hwy patrol inspection station. After a a slightly heated conversation they okeyed the motorcycles for a prior tittle. The problem was that I had custumized the rear fender,  did away with the license bracket and put leds in the fender for brake and turn signals. the officer pulled out a copy of the rules for aquiring a salvage tittle and showed me were it stated "as original" Now this was in Mo. Make calls get names and details.. 

[PAVALKER]

Both my Valkyries are "Prior Salvage" titled. I purchased them from an insurance co. repaired all the damage, took it and ALL the reciepts to the Mo. state hwy patrol inspection station. After a a slightly heated conversation they okeyed the motorcycles for a prior tittle. The problem was that I had custumized the rear fender,  did away with the license bracket and put leds in the fender for brake and turn signals. the officer pulled out a copy of the rules for aquiring a salvage tittle and showed me were it stated "as original" Now this was in Mo. Make calls get names and details.. 

Is there any specific indication, code or wording on the title to indicate it was prior salvage or rebuilt?  Or is it like a normal title?

[R J]

Hey, my friend, to answer your question correctly, contact your DMV and see what they say.      If it is a crappy deal with them, then start inquiring around about a re-built title., in neighboring states.

Usually on a re-built title it is no longer a Honda Valkyrie.     It is what ever your DMV decides to rename it.

California, it could be re-titled, but some of the DMV's were a pain in the ass to deal with.      Other DMV's in California you could sail right through so long as the inspector didn't put up a detainer.   It has to pass a rigorous inspection at whatever DMV inspection station you are at.      Most all of the inspectors were kind of detailed, but as long as you keep YOUR COOL & YOUR PIE HOLE shut to only what ever the question is, you should pass.    Do not Speak unless you are asked a question.       That will get ya flunked real fast.

Back when I was in the service we rebuilt a wrecked and totaled vehicle in the USMC Motor Pool.   I had Guard Duty on the 1st attempt to title it.    My good friend was trying to get it so we could license it.       Something he said pissed off the inspector and he got a hell of an ass eating and a failure on the test.    3 weeks later, I was finally able to take it over for a recheck.    We towed it on a wrecker, and dropped it in front of the inspection station.    Crawled in it, hit the starter and she fired immediately.     Took it and parked it.    An inspector followed me to the spot I parked in.     He walked around it asked 4 questions which I answered, I did not speak unless spoke to.     In a total of 30 minutes I had the document to get a title for it and license plates.

The inspector asked me who that smart ass was who brought it in about a month ago.     Told him I didn't know as I just bought it Monday from a guy at the USMC barracks on Friday.      He didn't say anymore, just gave me the documents needed.

So if ya learn nothing else, be courteous at all times.

Sorry for hi-jacking your post.

[chip]

Looks like a normal title except it says in very large print Pryor salvage . My credit union and my bank have told me they will not finance a bike with a pryor salvage title. I did send a copy of the title to the county I live in explaining that the bikes were not valued like a regular titled bike and they lowered my personal property tax on both of them.

[Hooter]

Call your local Secretary of State and ask them what the possibilities are. They will be able to answer your qustion.

[tank_post142]

has anyone considered that retitling a bike to clear a lean,mileage or salvage/rebuilt title is called title laundering and is a high felony pretty much anywhere?

[Jess from VA]

Call your local Secretary of State and ask them what the possibilities are.

I think MI may be the only State that calls the DMV, the Secretary of State.  JFYI

I second the advice, when in doubt, go to the horse's mouth.  Except get someone who knows what they are talking about (like a supervisor).

Depending on what you discover, you may find that forum shopping for the right State is in your best interest.  I once had occasion to sell a bike to my bro in MI, then have him sell it back to me (did not involve a salvage/wreck issue).  Bike never left my shed in VA, bills of sale were created, and no money was transferred, except I paid his out of pocket expenses.  

This was not to ... clear a lean, mileage or salvage/rebuilt title.

[tank_post142]

 

[Lawdog]

Okay in TN after having to ask the same question to three different clerks/dmv workers the best I got was (yes you can get a new title but she did not know about the salvage part) (salvage will stay on the title) and best one was (I don't thank i understand what you are asking do you have the title) I will try and get out to the main office in the next day or two but may be next week.

By the way all I asked was how do you go about getting salvage off of a title. Did not thank that was a hard question.

[kiwi#9582]

pickin up a wee strom that was laid down.. it didn't have crashbars and it did damage to the plastics on 1 side.. those pesky plastics are EXPEN$IVE so the ins. company totaled the bike and it has a salvage title. all plastics have been replaced and she looks like new again.. I was just wonderin if anyone knows if there is some way to determine the bike could have a regular title again and if so how to do it?? tanks

Also some states determine a total if the frame has been damaged.  If no frame damage, you could challenge the TITLE classification if the rest has been restored.

[Clark]

Okay in TN after having to ask the same question to three different clerks/dmv workers the best I got was (yes you can get a new title but she did not know about the salvage part) (salvage will stay on the title) and best one was (I don't thank i understand what you are asking do you have the title) I will try and get out to the main office in the next day or two but may be next week.

By the way all I asked was how do you go about getting salvage off of a title. Did not thank that was a hard question.

thanks Lawdog.. don't waste anymore of your time.. the title actually says totaled,reconstructed.. I have decided to leave it as it says.. and I will either sell it with an explanation or keep it and ride the wheels offn it.. thanks again

[HayHauler]

If you never plan on selling the bike, the salvage/rebuilt title means nothing.  As long as your insurance company will continue to cover the bike, you are good.

Ride the wheels off that thang!

Hay 
Jimmyt