Title transfer of u.s. bike while overseas
 

I am an American (New Hampshire) and I just purchased a bike from another American(California) while in Colombia. Can anyone offer any advise on how to do the title transfer and receive a new title in my name while here in South America. The California plate was recently stolen and now I have no plates--this adds a bit of urgency to the situation. I figure I can make a fake plate to get by, but maybe not the best idea. Has anyone done this before? I was thinking curriers service with the signed over title maybe.

Doesn't CA require a mechanical or smog check as part of the sale process?

I bought a CA truck in South America by getting it registered in Montana using an LLC which allows everthing to be done via email or courier.

No smog check is required for motorcycles in California.

OP, you can use the search function on this site to read up on what members have had to say about this, or you can use Google to research on the California DMV site....or both. Expect it to give you a headache.

Try not to get distracted by websites masquerading as government sites. And when in doubt, it's sometimes helpful to just give the DMV a call and ask directly.

You may conclude, as many do, that Photoshop is your best friend. If so, you certainly didn't hear it here. Do read up on the various drawbacks to this approach.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Edit to add: I hope you purchased the bike with plates still attached, and that if there are outstanding issues you've stayed in touch with the seller. Otherwise, I'd be a little bit concerned that the seller is going to report the bike as stolen, which is not going to do you much good.

unless the OP is moving to CA, he will have to get a tile from NH. a quick look on that website requires one to present the signed over title to town clerk in NH.

as for CA, if you were just trying to get a replacement plate issued, you are probably out of luck unless the seller is willing to help you out. see here: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/?1...s/howto/htvr11

good luck