Help Looking up VIN number and info on inspections

[Hmk1115]

Hey Guys,

So I got a 74 cb750 from a guy as part of a trade... unfortunately he did not have a title for it (I know, I know... not a great idea to get it at all without a title).  He wrote a (very sloppy) Bill of Sale.  I have talked to the DMV and it sounds like I will need to have the Court of Common Pleas issue an order for the Ohio State Highway Patrol to inspect the bike, then they will do the inspection, and I can bring their inspection before a judge at the Court of Common Pleas and request a "Court Ordered Title"  Now, I want to get all the information I can before starting this process to hopefully speed it up and not go around in circles.  

1. I found the VIN# on the frame but it is only like 13 numbers... and when I type it in to look it up (to check for any records) it just says "Enter a valid 17 digit VIN #"  Does anyone know how I can look this up since it seems from reading other things that the old VIN#'s seemed to have only been this long?

2.  Does anyone know what the inspection consists of?  I kind of got this bike as a way to learn and wrench on it and teach myself more about motorcycles so I want to make sure it will pass the inspection before I take the time (and money) to bring it there to have it inspected.  I just figure it will be much more helpful in the future (should I want to sell or trade it again) if I have a title for it.

Thanks in advance everyone!!

[Truck]

Not sure about the laws in your state but look into a Abandoned Vehicle Title. In VA the vehicle just has to be in your posesion for 3 months and have no liens or warrents for it.

[txnnd]

I've had the sheriff's office come out and look at classic cars I bought that were in non-running condition.  In that case they just verify that the VIN matches the paperwork.  

As for a motorcycle inspection, I'm assuming it would vary by state.  For example, here in TX you don't have to have signal indicators, but some states due.  When I had mine inspected, they made me accelerate and stop (brakes), horn, light low/high beam and that's it.  

[TOOLS1]

Different states have different laws, and processes for obtaining titles for abandoned vehicles. Ohio seems to be one of the more involved ones. Here is a link to a site that will get you a title in VT, and then you can title it in your state. http://www.motorecyclenow.com/
Also on the VIN not being 17 digits. That only became a law in 1976 that they be 17 digits, and before that they were just want the manufacture wanted to put on the vehicle. Also the frame, and engine numbers never matched.
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[Hmk1115]

TOOLS have you ever used that site?  If it legit, It seems like that would make life a lot easier to get a title than going to the DMV, then the courts, then the highway patrol, then back to the courts and the dmv again haha

And great... I was wondering about the VINs not matching. Is there one I should use over the other? I was planning on using the one on the forks. Thanks!!!

[TOOLS1]

On the Honda's you go by the frame#.
I have never used that site, but have been told that they are legit. There is another title service "International Title Service" that Used to be really good, but the man that started it has turned it over to his son, and the son has turned it into a scam, so don't use them.
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[Hmk1115]

Got it... So UPDATE last night I had a police officer run the VIN and it was registered to a guy here in Ohio but it is clean and not stolen.  I'm guessing there may be a slightly different process now. Would that site work even though it has someone else's name on it even though it's real old?

[LukeM]

Clean title and a Bill of Sale should be all you need to get the ball rolling.  You _might_ need the BOS notarized, just to make that part a bit smoother.  DMV has a pretty good website, and a phone call should confirm all the stuff you need to get it done.

The inspection process would be if you had a salvage situation, aka rebuilt the bike, and need to have them look at it to make sure its roadworthy.

Luke M
(who's lived in Ohio longer than Honda has been building CB750s...)

[TOOLS1]

If you could find the person who it is titled to, maybe they would apply for a new title, and sign it over to you. However I doubt it would matter who the bike was titled to, or where it was titled if you use the title service.
TOOLS