ZMAN I don't see what's so hard to understand. If you don't have proof of ownership i.e. certificate of title, valid registration, or other proof of clear and negotiable title, you are not the rightful owner. It is the possesser of such goods obligation to determine rightful ownership as TRX450 discovered. Failure to do so can not only put you in in a loosing position money wise but can place you on the wrong side of the law. As was stated before. If it looks too good to be true it probably is.

 

Take a peek at my original post...I came here looking for tips on what to check for on a bike that was submersed and likely washed down a river.
Thank you newbeatle for the tips you provided. I appreciate it.

 

Sorry, Well since this happened a few months ago I am assuming that you drained all the fluids and changed them. Also, I would replace the air filter too. Or, at the least clean it and re-oil it again. Might want to check the brake fluid too. Change the plugs, make sure you drained all the water out of the belt housing and other than that, have fun.

 

Well, instead of being so negative, how about posting some more suggestions for him to make sure he won't get in any trouble. What more do you expect for a person to do? If the police don't have an accurate record for the VIN number then is he supposed to go around calling insurance companies asking if the ever insured this quad? Are you saying that if this was you you would just leave it at the police station? I doubt it. Try coming up some helpful tips instead of insulting peoples character.

 

if it was me id take it for sure,but i would'nt pay any money for the machine and wouldnt put any into it either..id strip the quad and sell all the parts on ebay.it would really suck to spend thousands on a quad and have the actual owner take it back[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]if that machine ever comes up as being stolen this poor guy is going to be charged with recieving stolen property.i guess you could always get a new frame with a title and switch all the parts over to it.did the crankcase have water in it the first time you drained it at your garage?

 

i think that it would be a good idea to check with the dmv just to be on the safe side. of course if it was never registered before then it might not turn up anything. kinda weird that someone would just throw away a $6000 machine. i could understand if it was a 1984 honda 125 3wheeler but not a 03 praire. i know that you said that you were only gonna ride it on private land. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] i would have done the same thing if i were to come across an abandoned machine. good luck!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I say "finders keeprs". Don't get it registered if you're afraid there is a propblem. Have the guy you bought it from run the VIN and see if there is anyone looking for it. If not, then you can register it. If there is someone looking for it he doesn't have to tell where he got the VIN from. I think this falls under some kind of "salvage" rule.