The Cat Came Back!
 

So about a year or so ago I sold my Triumph, sadly. The individual I sold it to was less than savory but paid cash with questions and aside from wanting me to leave my plates on it and being half in the bag, was a generally ok person to do business with. I suspected that he might not live to see his next birthday and that my Triumph might have a very short future.
Shortly after the sale concluded the new owner left me a drunken voicemail about the bike being stolen and that he was in need of a copy of the bill of sale and some other senseless ramblings...I sent a copy of the bill of sale an hadn't heard from him since...until last week.

Last week there is a knock on the door, which almost no one does around here. It was the postman with a certified letter from a towing company an hour or so away from me. The letter informed me that they we in possession of my vehicle which had been impounded by order of the police department and could be picked up at their location once the fees were paid. Astonished...I called and was informed that yes, they did have my bike, but no I could not have it...yet. Apparently the police department had a "hold" on the bike and until it was released I could not have it back. So, I called the PD. The PD took down my info and said they would call me back, which they didn't, so I followed up today...

Apparently the guy I sold it to wasn't joking at all, the bike was stolen the same day he bought it from me and unfortunately he was riding on switched plates and never registered it. He also never reported it stolen! So, yours truly, being the last registered owner, is liable for the towing and impound fees and any other charges that may be incurred if I don't pay the fees and pick up the bike.

The detective had no issue releasing the bike to me so, today I just bought back my Triumph with minor damage and only 300 extra miles on it for about 200$ after not seeing it for about a year!


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sup...5559249368.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.sup...f449e2bcf7.jpg

That, is awesome!

Congrats.

Crazy stuff huh. After I get it inspection ready I'll tally up the cost and track down the buyer. I'll offer it back to him if he's willing to pay the fees and register the damn thing, otherwise I have a hot little screamer in my life again. :)

AV

I'd not do that but to each his own. If he has a copy of the bill of sale, could a case not be made?

I wouldn't do it, either.

Nah, not really. Anyone can make a bill of sale. I have one too, I also have an arrest report and a police report...the title in my name plus a registration in my name and an insurance policy and an inspection...at this point it's a civil matter. It is a good thing to keep in mind for those of us that sell bikes every now and again.

AV

Yeah on one hand I agree with "f@ck him" but on the other hand if the guy's a wildcard is it really worth having to deal with him if he comes after you in whatever form that might take? I think offering him to pay the fees and maybe a little extra for your time and trouble in return for his bike back are fair for all. Sound like he's a moron and good chance you'll never hear from him again but is it really worth it? I mean he might be an idiot but he did buy the bike from you and may come looking for it and you at some point.

The way I see it is that aside from a guy in jail facing multiple charges and a busy detective, and myself, no one really knows that I have the bike anyway. It has been "missing" for a year as it is. There could be more to the back story for sure, I mean, why not report the damn thing stolen, even if it had switched plates, it's still worth documenting in the event it turns up right. I suspect that the guy I sold it to may have been trying to pull a fast one on one or more people and it didn't go quite as planned. Anyway, as they say: never attribute to malice that which can be attributed to stupidity: let's assume for a sec the guy is a moron...easy enough...and that he got robbed...easy enough...and that he wants his bike that he paid cash for....also easy. Now try to imagine that it was me making a series of stupid mistakes that an outsider would not understand...yet easier to imagine. The least I could do is cover my own 6 and try to make it right with the rightful owner should he be willing to see it my way. Risky..sure, the right thing to do....sigh...yes...unfortunately. Who knows what'll come of it, the RMV isn't allowing any non essential transactions right now anyway so I can't update the reg just yet. Let's see what May brings....

AV

I'll give you $250 a 16 pack of Charmin Mega and whisk it outa' your state faster than you can say, "Hold my beer and watch this!"

Hmmm
 

Throw in a road king in any condition and I'll consider it. I'm pretty sure a Road King or similar is in my future.

AV