When I bought TW493, It didn't have a Title and never had been registered.
This created problems. Every state worker that I asked how to work through the problem, they said " DON'T BUY IT WITHOUT A TITLE" ... this wasn't an acceptible answer, for obvious reasons. So I bought it. I did some legwork on the whole problem and knowing that there were twikes registered in California, Oregon, Illinois, and somewhere east coast, They can be registered. The only problem is not having a title. OK, so let's figure this one out.
1: is it a homebuilt vehicle?
NO
2. is it stolen?
NO
3. is it scrap from another vehicle?
NO
4 does it have a VIN?
sorta... yes.... YES.
sorta... yes.... YES.
State law says that any vehicle has to have a VIN. The caviet: any Low Production Vehicle doesn't have to have a VIN, but the unique identifier.
Definition: Low production vechile means it has less than a certain number per year ( something like 1,000). With the limited number of Twikes ever produced, it matched that spec, but it still has a VIN for ease of licensing and identification)
The TWIKE does have a VIN, so this solved those questions. Now does it pass all specs by DOT?
A quick search on the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration) returned a few documents:
These basically state that the Highway department states that they are legitimate motorcycles; good to be driven in the USA. The Highway Patrol and inspectors loved these docs, it is like their bible.
Next issue, Getting the title issued:
1:VIN inspection
In Kansas, there has to be a VIN inspection by the Highway patrol. This is basically bring in the Title, and the vehicle and they will make sure it's not stolen. My problem being that there is no Title, and it was never Registered. The Trooper was very cautious. After seeing the documents above, he was like Oh, GOOD!! just needed a Bill of Sale and Drivers License. The trooper issued me the correct paperwork to get a title issued to me.
2. Insurance
Because of the nature of the vehicle, Many of the companies are like "We only take normal motorcycles". When possible, I would go into the office and smile asking with a picture if they would allow me to get insurance through them. It took a few companies (in fact, I was rejected Multiple times... RUDLY by my company at the time). I found State Farm was a little apprehensive, but they emailed off the their underwriters and found that they go "YUP, it's got 3 wheels, It's a motorcycle". So I have since moved to State Farm.
3. Licence Plate
I went into the Motor Vehicle Department... with the paperwork above( Bill of sale, VIN inspection, Insurance) and they have issued a Title, and License Plate. Of Course, with a vehicle like this, you have to do a vanity plate ( custom license plate). Custom plate will be coming in a few weeks!!
...Side note, a smiling face and a patient attitude is always nice when trying to figure a problem like this out. Also a note is to know what you are talking about. For example, while getting the insurance, since it is electric it is technically a "0"cc motor, but we put in a 1cc to get it pushed through.
It wasn't an easy task to complete, but it is very nice to know I can drive it legally.
NEXT STEP: Batteries
I did do an initial drive of the vehicle on Batteries that were borrowed and drove about 6 miles on partially charged batteries... after they sat a little, They have died. I'm currently plotting and planning on resolving this issue. ( perhaps the next post)
As I get the batteries running, I'll need to put new tires on the Twike. Ends up that they are just moped tires. Shouldn't be too hard to change out. ( old tires have been sitting on there for ~ 5years)
2. Insurance
Because of the nature of the vehicle, Many of the companies are like "We only take normal motorcycles". When possible, I would go into the office and smile asking with a picture if they would allow me to get insurance through them. It took a few companies (in fact, I was rejected Multiple times... RUDLY by my company at the time). I found State Farm was a little apprehensive, but they emailed off the their underwriters and found that they go "YUP, it's got 3 wheels, It's a motorcycle". So I have since moved to State Farm.
3. Licence Plate
I went into the Motor Vehicle Department... with the paperwork above( Bill of sale, VIN inspection, Insurance) and they have issued a Title, and License Plate. Of Course, with a vehicle like this, you have to do a vanity plate ( custom license plate). Custom plate will be coming in a few weeks!!
 |
| Licence Plate |
It wasn't an easy task to complete, but it is very nice to know I can drive it legally.
 |
| Battery Woes |
I did do an initial drive of the vehicle on Batteries that were borrowed and drove about 6 miles on partially charged batteries... after they sat a little, They have died. I'm currently plotting and planning on resolving this issue. ( perhaps the next post)
As I get the batteries running, I'll need to put new tires on the Twike. Ends up that they are just moped tires. Shouldn't be too hard to change out. ( old tires have been sitting on there for ~ 5years)
