VIN and Ohio title quest

[erickz]

Discovered that I need a title as an Off Highway Vehicle to go ride in Wayne Nat'l Forest...so I doubt my Mint 400 has a VIN per se but probably has a frame or serial number - but where is it located?
(Given that I mis-identified my engine number...)
Has anyone tried to title an old dirt bike in Ohio recently? What were the steps?
Thanks
ez

[slvrbrdfxr]

The Penton bikes I have which are titled use the serial number stamped into the steering head as the VIN for the title. Not familiar with what you would have to do to get a title issued in OH for your bike but I suspect some other POG members in OH can offer advise on that.
Dave McC

[erickz]

Any help out there? Anyone? Anyone?

[thrownchain]

Call your local DMV and ask.

[Don Roth]

Eric,
Look into the 'workaround' of titling through the folks
in Vermont, they will issue a plate and semi-registration paperwork on a bill of sale and proof of insurance, then either run that or xfer to Ohio, have done it several times w/o issues,
see https://www.motorecyclenow.com/
-don

[johnborn]

last i heard they put the clamps on this in vermont.

[erickz]

Local DMV wants more proof from the seller than just a notarized bill of sale unfortunately - want to see some sort of incidence of ownership (proof of insurance, etc) from the previous owner.  Arrrrrgh!

[wfopete]

I titled a off road bike in Arkansas.  It was a 2001 XR250R Honda.

I had to:

Get a VIN verification (police need to sign off), that gets mailed to the state and they issue me a packet. That "packet" requires me to get a bonded title.  Once I had a bonded title, I could go down to the local revenue office (equivalent of the DMV) and get my plate.

The process is basicaly to make sure the vehicle is not stolen and the state makes money. Took about 2 months and cost $125 plus the plate, insurance.

Pete Petrick
175 Jackpiner
Slow but Good

[ALB]

I was fortunate to have received a State of Ohio title for my Jackpiner when I bought it used in 1974. I had the title transferred to my name, purchased my plate and stickers through the years for riding the streets to get to my off-road riding areas and trails.

At the VMD they look at you kind of funny because the VIN number (which is the serial number stamped on the frame steering head) is only 8 to 11 numbers long. They are used to seeing letters and numbers that are 1/2 mile long. Also, the new titles for vehicles are a lot different looking than those old titles.

Approx 12+ years ago I purchased an Ohio antique m/c plate which eliminated having to buy the annual renewal stickers. There are restrictions on riding the bike with these plates. They can not be used for everyday street riding.

Alan Buehner

[Todd Rovello]

Eric,
Were you successful at obtaining the trail permit to ride in the Wayne National Forest?  I too am looking to purchase a permit to ride there in the spring on my restored vintage machines. It is a safe bet none of them were ever sold with a title when new although I do have a bill of sale for one of them. Since I do not reside in Ohio this may complicate things a bit. If you or other members have figured out how to work through this issue, please post!

Todd

[erickz]

Todd - This went on the back burner with the weather change. It was suggested that I stop in at Iron Pony and buy my pass and then behave myself so the rangers don't look too closely as I ride by.
ez

[Todd Rovello]

Got it. Keep us posted.

[JCHubbard]

quote:Originally posted by Don Roth

Eric,
Look into the 'workaround' of titling through the folks
in Vermont, they will issue a plate and semi-registration paperwork on a bill of sale and proof of insurance, then either run that or xfer to Ohio, have done it several times w/o issues,
see https://www.motorecyclenow.com/
-don

Good post!