New guy, with some questions for other Mass. folks

[ThosMA]

Hello all. I've been lurking for a while as I prepare to get on two wheels again. I have been bikeless since my '74 CL125 ground up its camshaft bearings in 1985. (Well, 1988, when I finally gave up on it). Prior to that I had a C200 that I'd found in a shed at work. Long sagas behind both of those, maybe I'll post them someday.

Anyway, I'm playing with the idea of finding and reviving a Dream or a Cx160. Before I get too carried away, I have some questions for the other board members here in (or near) the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I didn't see answers when I searched old posts.

How did you get your ride titled? Did you have an old title (lucky!), bill of sale+previous registration, or did you use a title company? Do you know of anyone who got MassRMV to cough up a title based only on a Bill of Sale?

What are your experiences with the area Honda dealers: Cycles 128, Bettencourts, Greater Boston Motorsports, etc. Any particularly helpful or UNhelpful parts departments?

Know anything about that guy in Wilmington who posts undocumented parts bikes on Boston and NH craigslist?

Thanks in advance for any info; PM me if you don't want to post your reply. And thanks to the rest of the board for their patience with my local-interest questions.

Regards,
-Thomas
P.S. Yes, I am going to try to get out to Rice-O-Rama on Sep 12.

[houseowax]

Hey Thomas-
I dunno what the local laws are in MA but here in NY we don't need a title for anything pre 1972 ( I think it's '72). All we need is a 'bill of sale' to register the bike.
If, in fact, you wind up with a CA77 and are in dire need of paperwork you can frequently find frames with titles on eBay for fairly cheap. Of course, that'd require you to piece a whole bike together but that's not all that difficult and usually it's a good idea to go over a bike that old piece by piece anyhow.
If you find yourself up against a wall, PM me- I have a '65 CA77 (black- but needs paint) frame with PA title and I'm in the Boston area pretty frequently.

[Snakeoil]

The law in NY is pre-73 bikes (so, 72 and earlier) are not titled vehicles so, you do not need a title to register the, but you also do not receive a title when registered. You get a transferable registration. PA accepts NY registrations and issues titles when registered in PA.

No familiar with MA laws. But I understand that anyone can title a bike in VT and you do not even have to live there. You are supposedly able to do it on-line with very little effort. Then you can either ride it with a VT plate or after a few months bring your VT title to MA DMV and title it there.

According to Husabob, who I met at the spring motogiro, you can register a bathtub with an outboard motor in NH. So that is another avenue you could try if MA makes it impossible.

One thing I would suggest is trying to find somebody, or if you are lucky enough to have a friend in law enforcement, to run the VIN to make sure it is not stolen before you even buy the bike.

I know you asked for replies from folks in MA, but thought this info might be useful.

regards,
Rob

[ThosMA]

The suggestion about VT or NH nudged me into checking out the situation in Maine, where my parents live (...and where I'd have a plausible address). You can register there with just a BOS, and the state will issue you a title based on your reg. I could use the Maine title at the Mass RMV. The down side? You have to get insurance first, and I'd just have to get a new policy when I re-titled/re-registered it down here.

So when the time came I'd have to crunch the numbers as to whether it'd be cheaper to pay the Maine tax, reg, and minimal insurance or buy&ship a titled frame. But at least there are options. Houseofwax - I'll keep your offer in mind, thanks.

I'd still like to hear from any Mass residents...

-Thomas

[Snakeoil]

Not to argue, but what if you insure with someone like Progressive, which I'm insured with and an have been very happy. You insure and register in Maine, get your title and then advise Progressive you are moving the bike to MA and ask them to modify your policy. Most it would cost you is the added cost for MA insurace over Maine, which you have to pay no matter what path you end up taking. My guess is Progessive would want to keep you as a customer so they should be very accomodating.

For what it is worth, in NY you can get a title issued in your name without putting the bike on the road. This means no insurance required. I would think Maine would allow you to do that as well. Take another look. It might be possible.

regards,
Rob

[RobCL77]

Hi Thomas,
I live in Natick and there aren't any Honda dealers real close by, so I tried Bettencourt's for a tune-up and just a complete going-over (brakes, compression, etc.) and an inspection sticker. They found I was missing a bolt on the front fork that I didn't realize was missing and it and the one on the other side free of charge. The also cut me a new Honda key to because mine had a slight bend to it, also for free. Also, the bike (1967 Scrambler) runs as good now as it has in years, so I highly recommend them. Where in Massachusetts do you live?
Take care,
Rob

[ThosMA]

I'm in Arlington, home of Greater Boston Motorsports.