Salvage title question
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
Before you jump in,I would go to your DMV and ask questions about registration.See if they have anything in writing.
Call some insurance companies for qoutes on salvage title bikes.
Call some insurance companies for qoutes on salvage title bikes.
Last edited by 1flhtk4me; Sep 22, 2010 at 06:48 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,210
Likes: 1
From: LI, NY
"have found some winners."
Yes the salesliarman's at "Ferguson's V-twin in San Antonio"
Lie No. 1 "due to a damaged gas tank."
Lie No. 2 "it is a theft recovery"
Lie No. 3 "and the insurance company had already payed it off"
Lie No. 4 "he's told me that they inspect every bike to make sure it is mechanistically sound and the frame is straight before they sell them"
"I keep reading not to buy a salvage titled bike"
How many times are you going to read that before it sinks in?
"My question is do either of these sound like they could be a deal?"
Not just yes, but a HELL YEAH for the stealer.
"is there a way to have the bike inspected and have the title cleared?"
States vary, and time has caused things to change. I had bought a 1935 car in 1970 from a junky upstate NY. He was also a registered repair shop and used car dealer. Instead of making it a private sale He made out the paper work and because he was a dealer he charged me the sales tax on the price of $25. He said because he made the value so low he had to state the car was junk.
My dad when time came to register the car had to sign a paper at the DMV that the car was repaired and road worthy. The DMV clerk didn't care as long as the proper paper work was done. They DMV lady said this car is junk pointing at the paper work. My dad said usually antique cars are that's why they get restored and I have repair everything necessary.
So the car got registered, did not have to pay sales tax because the junky already collected that, got a clear registration/title.
I said registration because the car was made before they had title laws, and we registered it before 1973.
"I've seen some people say this is possible in their state but I was wondering if anyone has had experience with this in Texas?"
The only way you will know for sure is to go to the DMV in person. If it's like my state you'll have to see at least three people before you will get the correct answer.
Yes the salesliarman's at "Ferguson's V-twin in San Antonio"
Lie No. 1 "due to a damaged gas tank."
Lie No. 2 "it is a theft recovery"
Lie No. 3 "and the insurance company had already payed it off"
Lie No. 4 "he's told me that they inspect every bike to make sure it is mechanistically sound and the frame is straight before they sell them"
"I keep reading not to buy a salvage titled bike"
How many times are you going to read that before it sinks in?
"My question is do either of these sound like they could be a deal?"
Not just yes, but a HELL YEAH for the stealer.
"is there a way to have the bike inspected and have the title cleared?"
States vary, and time has caused things to change. I had bought a 1935 car in 1970 from a junky upstate NY. He was also a registered repair shop and used car dealer. Instead of making it a private sale He made out the paper work and because he was a dealer he charged me the sales tax on the price of $25. He said because he made the value so low he had to state the car was junk.
My dad when time came to register the car had to sign a paper at the DMV that the car was repaired and road worthy. The DMV clerk didn't care as long as the proper paper work was done. They DMV lady said this car is junk pointing at the paper work. My dad said usually antique cars are that's why they get restored and I have repair everything necessary.
So the car got registered, did not have to pay sales tax because the junky already collected that, got a clear registration/title.
I said registration because the car was made before they had title laws, and we registered it before 1973.
"I've seen some people say this is possible in their state but I was wondering if anyone has had experience with this in Texas?"
The only way you will know for sure is to go to the DMV in person. If it's like my state you'll have to see at least three people before you will get the correct answer.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 2
From: Novi MI
There's no way a recovered stolen bike would be given a salvaged title unless it was damaged when it was recovered so as far as I'm concerned, the dealership isn't telling you the truth. If you plan on buying it and keeping it, it may be a good deal but the problem is you don't know how extensive the damage was before the bike was totalled. I have seen totalled bikes for sale before they've been repaired and to be honest the damage does look minimal - the cost of parts and labor, but I wouldn't buy one. You will not be able to sell it. And once a bike has a state issued title, it cannot be revoked - legally.
Last edited by barjbar; Sep 22, 2010 at 08:09 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 671
Likes: 0
From: Toledo Bend Lake Texas
I've been looking for a Harley for quite some time now and I may have found some winners. The only thing is they have salvaged titles. Both bikes are being sold by Ferguson's V-twin in San Antonio and both bikes are Lowriders. The first bike is a 2005 Lowrider that has 3700 miles and has a salvage title due to a damaged gas tank. The second bike is a 2003 with 9600 miles and has a salvage title because it is a theft recovery and the insurance company had already payed it off. I've talked to a sales person about both bikes but only through email due to me living in Houston, and he's told me that they inspect every bike to make sure it is mechanistically sound and the frame is straight before they sell them. I've done some searching and I keep reading not to buy a salvage titled bike unless you're planning on keeping it for a while, which I am. My question is do either of these sound like they could be a deal? And is there a way to have the bike inspected and have the title cleared? I've seen some people say this is possible in their state but I was wondering if anyone has had experience with this in Texas? The DMV hasn't been any help answer my question.
I looked at a lot of bikes and found, you can get as good a deal on a regular bike, as you can a "salvage". Just keep looking. There are a lot of bike owners trying to sell, right now.
You also, may not be able to obtain financing, and might have trouble getting insurance. I would Run, not Walk, away from a salvage title.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 2
Bottom line is this. If you plan on keeping the bike for a long time go ahead and buy it. If you plan on selling it to make a profit, forget it. Not sure about Texas, but in most states you can buy a "salvage" bike and repair it and then have it inspected and get a "Rebuilt" title. This sends red flags up to prospective buyers. I personally am riding a "Rebuilt" EGC
for the last 2 years. I bought it with cosmetic damage and went over it with a fine tooth comb before buying it to make sure there was NO frame damage. Basically it needed new crash bars and some body work on the fairing and right saddlebags from a mild laydown.
I have less than 6 grand in it. 20, 000 miles on it since i bought it. In my opinion its not much different than buying a basket case and putting it back together. If you have the mechanical ability to do the repairs it can save you lots of money. People do it all the time.
for the last 2 years. I bought it with cosmetic damage and went over it with a fine tooth comb before buying it to make sure there was NO frame damage. Basically it needed new crash bars and some body work on the fairing and right saddlebags from a mild laydown.
I have less than 6 grand in it. 20, 000 miles on it since i bought it. In my opinion its not much different than buying a basket case and putting it back together. If you have the mechanical ability to do the repairs it can save you lots of money. People do it all the time.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 2
heres a link about Texas salvage vehicles.http://www.dmv.org/tx-texas/salvaged-vehicles.php
Heres the pdf from texas dmv on salvage vehicles ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-...tr/salnrmv.pdf
Heres the pdf from texas dmv on salvage vehicles ftp://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-...tr/salnrmv.pdf
Last edited by rodnock; Sep 22, 2010 at 08:46 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 791
Likes: 0
From: peoria, az
i bought my bike back after it got wrecked. i'm rebuilding it into a very nice custom. i'm going to try to keep the bill below $5000 because i figure that's all i will get out of it if i try to sell it with a salvage title. i doubt that will ever happen though.
i guess you have to decide if it's worth the risk. if it was me, i would check it out real close and maybe even take it to a harley dealer. while they would prefer to sell you a new hd, they may look at it for you just to get you into a harley to sell you parts and accessories. or take it to an indy. i would buy a salvage title bike if it was not damaged too badly. i know mine will be an excellent bike when its finished.
i guess you have to decide if it's worth the risk. if it was me, i would check it out real close and maybe even take it to a harley dealer. while they would prefer to sell you a new hd, they may look at it for you just to get you into a harley to sell you parts and accessories. or take it to an indy. i would buy a salvage title bike if it was not damaged too badly. i know mine will be an excellent bike when its finished.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 911
Likes: 1
From: Orem Utah
I don't know of any state that will give you fresh/clean title after it's been salvaged. I bought my bike with a Rebuilt title and it wall always be branded. I did a lot of research and had pictures before the accident, after the accident and after the rebuild. I knew exactly what had been checked, what had been fixed and what had been replaced. It was the right deal for me and I didn't buy it to make money. I bought it to ride. I could sell it now and not lose money beside maintenance and upkeep, but I won't. It rides great and fits my needs.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 143
Likes: 2
From: Ballston Lake
Looks like you have two things going on here. One, you seemed to be hooked on salvage bikes. Salvage bike become that way because they cost more to repair than they are worth, there are a million stories, but that's the bottom line. A lot of times the real issue is water damage from being in floods, those proublems tend to show up after you put some miles on a bike, not right away. If you are a good mechanic and can do the work yourself it could work out to be a good deal. But for the average guy, probably not. Buying a used bike is always risky, buying salvage is very risky.
The second is if these bikes are a good deal. Well there's no real way to tell because you are being lied to. Tank damage alone won't total a bike and a recovered stolen bike isn't salvage. Now if you want to pursue it, you could try talking to management at the dealership and see what story they tell. If it's the same as the salesman I'd run. If not, you can make a better decision.
I agree with most here, your probably buying a problem, either now as the bike breaks down or in the future when you go to sell it. "Cleaning the title", even if it can be done is a lousy thing to do to the next guy.
Keep looking, guys aren't getting what the are asking for used bikes, its a buyers market.
Just my 2 cents
TC
The second is if these bikes are a good deal. Well there's no real way to tell because you are being lied to. Tank damage alone won't total a bike and a recovered stolen bike isn't salvage. Now if you want to pursue it, you could try talking to management at the dealership and see what story they tell. If it's the same as the salesman I'd run. If not, you can make a better decision.
I agree with most here, your probably buying a problem, either now as the bike breaks down or in the future when you go to sell it. "Cleaning the title", even if it can be done is a lousy thing to do to the next guy.
Keep looking, guys aren't getting what the are asking for used bikes, its a buyers market.
Just my 2 cents
TC
Last edited by Tconnors810; Sep 22, 2010 at 10:07 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
Right off the bat I will tell you I don't know TX motor vehicles policies, but in my neck of the woods you can buy a bike with a salvage title and repair it to make it "road worthy". you make an appointment with our state motor vehicle services and they give it a mechanical inspection. Sometimes it takes two trips to an inspection facility in the bed of your truck because they might find something minor like a bracket or loose wiring they want corrected before issuing you a title. The new title will read "re-constructed" or "special-construction". You won't be getting an original Harley title back.
Just my opinion, If it's the bike you want and don't care about resale value I would buy a salvage title bike. Lets face it, Anything can be repaired if you want to put the effort & money out. But the bikes in question should be WAY less than $6K, an 06 that already has a salvage title sounds like a $3K-4K bike to me.
Just my opinion, If it's the bike you want and don't care about resale value I would buy a salvage title bike. Lets face it, Anything can be repaired if you want to put the effort & money out. But the bikes in question should be WAY less than $6K, an 06 that already has a salvage title sounds like a $3K-4K bike to me.