Belt Auction

question about motorcycle seizures?

I heard about this process when you buy a police seized bike for about £50 - £100 and you have to cut the front suspension off and send it off to say its been scrapped. Then you need a new frame and new reg, does this process have a name? and is it legal? and finally how can i find local police auctions? as a lot of sites require registration

Public Comments

1. Not at all,the only reason you would need to do this is if it was stolen and then classified as a theft recovery meaning the title is considered a theft recovery and was totaled to get the owner his money,even if there was no damage to the bike.This is an awesome way to get a great deal,if the bike is not stolen and just seized by law enforcement then it may just need a lost title and you saved several thousand dollars.The situation you are talking about is if it was totaled either from damage or because of theft then there are two categories,rebuild-able and non salvageable,the non salvageable title would require you to either cut off every part containing a VIN number linking it to the original machine and replacing it then applying for a builders title saying that you built it but that also requires an inspection.The rebuild-able title just requires you to fix any damage and apply for a new title.
2. there are many bikes for sale on ebay at a good price that are insurance write offs, meaning the bike could be almost 100% in tack when you buy it but it can never go back on the road. so if you buy this bike you have to basicaly strip it right down and throw away the frame with the vin numbers on (most places who buy the insurance write off remove the frame numbers before you buy it) you then need to buy a matching frame with registration plate and log book and rebuild it with the parts from the write off. you can use the forks as there are no numbers on these, the only thing you cant use is the frame and the engine has to be re-registered with the new frame.
3. Police do not sell on vehicles seized etc to public due to the issues surrounding people bascially sue-ing us or liability should we sell them a unsafe vehicle etc, all vehicles either scrapped or eventually if they are worth anything sold onto a local auction house who will take responsbility and ownership of the vehicle and sell on themselves...however you wont get one from them for £50, the auction houses will be looking to make a profit so will sell it for what its worth and not give it away.. Other items that police do sell can be found on www.bumblebeeauctions.co.uk