I would like to purchase a dream bike in the EU and bring it home. Early planning and I think I have 95% of the plan sorted (not all the details are in point form below happy to expand detials), but you don't know what you
don't know. Looking for people to be brutally honest about the pitfalls I am walking into and ideally tips. Particular fuzzy unknown for me is items 1, 2 and 3.
Details/Background
I live in Alberta, Canada. I have travelled a bit in Europe, (mostly to Switzerland to see my inlaws). No issues with me getting to/into the EU. International Lic is just a $30 fee.
The Bike I want to buy is 20yrs old and was never sold in North America (AT RD07)
1. Find a bike I like remotely and somehow determine if the seller is legit, will hold it for a short time until I get there and willing to be TOTALLY honest about the condition and take some photos. Most of the bikes seem to be for sale in Belgium, Germany, Italy, France and for some reason a ton in Portugal.
Private sale or from a dealer?
2. Transfer of ownership papers (AKA Purchase Bike).
Ensure I get a compliance sticker as I understand this is really important.
3. At the registry apply for an "Export Plate". This I understand gives me 14 days to ride in the EU before shipping it off back home
4. Shipping Company to crate and Air Freight back home. A couple of local carriers Air Canada and Westjet have programs that seem to make this fairly reasonable (<$2000).
5. Import into Canada (Bike is >15yrs old, so this should be an exercise of inspection, taxes and fees).
What am I missing? What part of this is a stupid idea?