If you’ve ever thought of building a custom motorcycle or replacing a dented frame, you probably want to think through some of the logistics before taking the leap and purchasing any parts. One common question is whether or not you can get a title with just a frame. Let’s dig in.
Motorcycle frames purchases from a manufacturer will typically come with a Manufacturer Statement of Origin but no title. A frame purchased from an online seller may come with a title, and a frame from a salvage yard will most likely not come with a title.
This might seem like a lot of information, so if it’s unclear just hang with me. Know that the situation can vary and there is no definitive answer, but I’ll help you figure out what to expect and what next steps you’ll need to take.
Will you get a title with a motorcycle frame?
No matter where you live, having a title for your bike is important to prove that you legally own said bike. However, if you’re just buying a frame, this can be tricky. There are a couple of reasons you could be buying a frame. For the sake of clarity, we’ll assume the frame will be used to build a custom bike.
Whether or not the frame comes with a title will likely depend on where and who you buy it from. If you buy it from a manufacturer, the frame won’t come with a title but will have a Manufacturer Statement of Origin (MSO). In this case, the frame probably won’t have a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) either.
On the other hand, if you find a frame at a salvage yard you aren’t likely to get a title. In this case the frame will probably have a VIN but you’ll have to apply for a title. More on that below.
In this digital age, one of the more common places for buying a bike frame is online, through online auctions and individual buyers on sites like ebay, craigslist, and even facebook marketplace. In this case, you’ll need to ask the seller about paperwork. Each situation is different, so frames purchased online may or may not come with the title.
If you buy a frame with no title, there are ways to get a new title so that you can ride legally. You may just need to apply for a lost title, or you might need to go through the process of getting a custom title. I’ll get into some more details in the sections below.
What should you do if your motorcycle has no title?
So, you bought a frame and it didn’t come with a title. Now what? You have a couple of options.
If the bike has a VIN, the process will be a little easier. The VIN allows you to search the vehicle’s history and make sure it wasn’t stolen. Before you try and get a title, you’ll want to do a background check to find out where the frame came from.
Hopefully, when you purchased the frame and other parts for your custom bike, you kept the bill of sale and receipts. Ideally, you’ll want these notarized to really be able to prove that you legally purchased the motorcycle.
This is where my job gets a little bit tricky, because the specific process of getting a title is location-specific. You’ll need to check your local regulations to find out how complicated the process will be and to see what documents you’ll need to bring with you.
Most likely you’ll need to have an inspection done to make sure that your custom motorcycle is road-safe. Depending on where you live, you may also need to have an emissions test done.
I can’t speak for every state and country, but usually you have the option of filling out a “lost title” form. This shows that, for whatever reason, the title never made it to you. In some cases the title will be mailed to the original seller and you’ll have to get it from them, but you may also be able to get the title directly.
If your motorcycle frame came with an MSO instead of a VIN, you’ll need to get a VIN from your local registration office before trying to get the title. If you made the frame, you might be able to get a home built VIN.
The best advice is, before you’ve built your custom motorcycle, check with your local vehicle registration office to find out what you’ll need and what you can do. It’s always better to be overly prepared than to find a surprise requirement at the end of the process.
How do I find the VIN number on my motorcycle?
Throughout this article I’ve mentioned the VIN several times. If you’ve been a motorcycle owner for years, you’re probably familiar with the VIN. However, if you’re new to motorcycles, you might be a little confused still.
The VIN is, as the name suggests, a number used to identify a vehicle. It’s kind of like the motorcycle’s signature fingerprint and sets one motorcycle apart from another.
The VIN is composed of seventeen characters. The first three show who the manufacturer is. Any motorcycles made by that manufacturer will have the same first three digits.
The next eight digits show unique characteristics about the motorcycle. This includes things like brand, engine size, and model year.
The last six characters are the unique identification of your motorcycle. This is the motorcycle’s serial number.
The VIN is a way to keep track of a vehicle. You can use it to check past owners, verify the bike’s age, find out if it was stolen or in any accidents, or check the original specs. When buying a new motorcycle, it’s definitely a good idea to check the VIN and make sure that the information matches what the seller has told you.
The VIN is typically located to the right of the headstock tube. It will be on a metal plate, either engraved or printed, along with some other information. If you don’t see the VIN near the steering, it may also be located on the motor.
Where can you buy a motorcycle frame?
To wrap up this article, I wanted to give you some information on where to find a motorcycle frame. If you’re trying to build your own motorcycle, you’ll need to find the right parts and may need to do a little bit of digging to find what you need.
A great place to start is at your local salvage yard. Salvage yards are often filled with unique finds and for great prices.
One thing to note with purchasing parts at a salvage yard is that the parts may have come from a totaled motorcycle. If you find a frame here, you’ll need to make sure that it isn’t bent or broken. You may also have a bit more difficulty getting a title for a frame that has already been connected to a salvage title.
The next place to look is online at sites like Ebay, Craiglist, and Facebook Marketplace. You can also sometimes find deals on Motorcycle forums.
Always be wary when purchasing a motorcycle or parts from an online seller. You’ll want to ask about a title and other paperwork, get a notarized bill of sale if you can, and verify that you are getting the produce you need before putting down any money.
As with salvage yards, check frames from online sellers carefully for dents, bends, or scratches before you start using it to build your custom bike.
One final place to look for a frame is from manufacturers. There are many different companies that make custom frames or sell parts to help you make a custom bike. These are probably the most expensive option, but the only way to guarantee you can find exactly what you’re looking for.
As mentioned above, bikes from a manufacturer won’t come with a title, but you can usually get a title and registration from your local vehicle registration office.