Texted him today, asking for the pictures again.
Suprise suprise, he sent some clear pictures back and then called right after. A further suprise, he introduced himself as Alex. Then he again asked where I was and said that I need to come out and get the bike because he won't hold it.(Note:I've never asked him to hold the bike).
I said that was fine and asked if the bike had clean title. And the conersation went as follows:
Him: "Yes, bike has clean title."
Me: "Is the title a texas title and is the bike registered."
Him:"????What you mean??"
Me: "Is the bike currently registered in Texas? Is the title---"
Him: "No, the bike is not registered right now."
Me: "Why? Is there a problem with the bike?"
Him: "No, no problem. I buy bike and ended up not riding, so I didn't register."
Me: "Is the title in your name and is it a Texas Blue Title or is the Title from out of state? Does the bike have any liens against it?"
Him: "It is a good Texas Title. The previous owner signed it, then I signed it."
Me: "Did you ever register the bike in your name?"
Him: "No, I have title from when I buy and with his signature and mine. (Starts talking faster) Its no problem, you come buy it, register no problem."
Me: "If you signed and never registered then it will be a hassle to regist--"
Him: "You come look/buy soon, I won't hold bike. Other people come look tomorrow."
Me: (Extricating myself from the call and his attempts to pin me into driving out)I have to check with a friend who handles vehicle registry to see what I will have to do to or if I can register the bike. I will call after I find out."
Him:"Ok, you check then come look. I wont hold bike tho--." (Again, I've never asked for him to hold Bike.)
Me: "I gotta go back to work, I will try to call later. Ok."
Him: "OK"
Me:"Later."
Him: " 'Bye "
So, the issue.
In Texas, it is illegal to sell a vehicle that you never registered.
Some do, if they never signed under the seller, they just sell the vehicle for cash and act as if they are the previous owner(This is still illegal).
Once someone signs under the previous owner, the only ways to obtain a legitimate title for the bike is:
A)The signee registers the vehicle before selling
B)You go all the way back to the last owner under which the bike was legally registered and have him/her file for lost title. Thing is, that person can turn around and claim the bike if they are unscrupulous.
or
C)You store the bike with a friendly mechanic and he abuses the mechanics lien system for you.While this will provide you with a legitamate title(if the bike is not stolen, it is also, very illegal if you get caught.)
This is, also, how many people get stung by purchasing stolen goods. There are fake title scams all over the place and the, "I signed the title but never registered it" scam has been around as long as there have been paper titles.
Note, I'm not saying that that the seller is scammng anyone. He may be mostly legit and just to lazy to register the bike.
Imo, common sense says that there is some other issue involved in this case.
Now, I don't doubt the bike will sell to someone who will use it as a parts bike, heck I admit thinking about it for a second or two. But any way I look at this, its a no go.
This situation, imo, has too high of a potential to screw-up the karma and life of anyone who touches, gets near to or purchases this bike.
Fwiw, The pictures he sent are attatched below:
Later,
Freelancer
