I know of a motorcycle that is for sale but the bikes current owner isnt the original owner, was given to him. The original owner has no interest in getting or giving any help to obtain a replacement title. Putting aside any "bike may be stolen" rhetoric is there a way to get a title w/o the original owners help? Or is it destined to be a parts bike and illegal for the street forever?

Getting a duplicate title for a vehicle that is not financed

• Visit your local motor vehicle agency and complete an application for a duplicate title
• Show current or expired registration, proof of insurance or a certified registration record
• Pay $60 fee (payable by American Express® card, MasterCard®, Visa® card, check, money order or cash)
• If you are unable to visit your local agency, you may mail all of the above to the address on the application for duplicate title

NOTE: If a current or expired registration or proof of insurance is not available, you may apply for a certified registration record by either visiting a full service motor vehicle commission agency or mailing the application(DO-11A) to the Certified Information Unit PO Box 146, Trenton NJ 08666-0146. 

 

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Vehicle/LostStolen.htm

 

Getting a duplicate title for a vehicle that has no proof of ownership but was previously registered

• Download a step-by-step guide (SS-130A) and complete all requirements
• Mail documents and fee to:
  • New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
    Special Titles Section/Duplicate Titles
    PO Box 017
    Trenton, NJ 08666-0017
• Contact MVC Special Titles at (609) 292-6500 ext. 5074 if you have any questions

Make sure there are no liens against it first. 

If the present possessor of the bike is not the title holder he is not the owner.

If the present possessor had a title and cannot find it or has lost it, he can apply for a duplicate title to transfer it to you

the present possessor of the bike could not have obtained a registration in his name if he is not the title holder

Call titles unlimited in Alabama. The way they work is, its a non title state. You basically sell them the vehicle on paper with a bill of sale. They then sell it back to you with an Alabama bill of sale, that you then take to motor vehicle NJ will then issue you a title for that vehicle. I've used them in the past. Alabama has a few companies that provide this same service.

If the present possessor is not the title holder in a title State like NJ  he cannot legally sell the vehicle to a purchaser in a title or non title state because he is not the legal owner. If he sells it and he gets a bill of sale back from Alabama with a VIN number on it, when NJ runs that VIN number they will see that someone else is the legal owner and will not issue a title to another individual since another person is already the record owner. If it slips through DMV, the original owner can contest the title and you have no protection unless you can get  the seller to provide you with insurance coverage, covering the purchase price as this would be a sham transaction and title. Not the way to go, plenty of bikes out there with no title problems.

I know the bikes history, not worried about any legalities other than the title, which apparently will never be found or replaced. too bad. I dont need another bike anyway but if it could happen would've been nice.