I recently purchased a one owner 1975 850 Commando. He's lost
the title and all I have is a 1983 IL license plate. I'm told
that if I try to go through the DMV here that I will either
never get a title or that it will  take forever. Any
suggestions?

Have you checked w/your local DMV? Here in Va. the DMV will do a title search for the last known owner from the VIN# - if it is w/in State they will furnish a new title if your "Bill of Sale" matches their recorded information. If the last owners name and address is not available they will search the VIN# and provide the contact info for you to notify them via registered mail of your intent to title the vehicle. After a 30day waiting period and confirmation of response/no response you can title in your name. As always State Regs. very but check with them. Does Il. have a website?? You may find the answer to your questions there. Good Luck. It's only about half as hard as it sounds. B.

i am a new member here. Did you ever get an answer to your title question? I bought a 1970 commando in IL and it didn't have a title either. I am currently trying to get an IL title for it. If i have any luck i will let you know what i did.

Some folks use companies like this one. http://www.its-titles.com/index.htm

In August I bought a Norton on ebay from Colorado with a bill of sale only. I did a mechanics lean on the bike with the assistance of a guy who does this for a tow company. After waiting the 30 days I went down to the California DMV and put it into my name with no problems. This was very easy since I could not determine when or where the bike was last registered. I can't imagine your DMV being any more picky then California's.

I have run into this more than a few times and my inclination is to move on. However If the seller can produce a former registration and will supply you with a notarized bill-of-sale that will serve as nicely (usually) as having a title. Also In Massachusetts the RMV will allow you to petition them for a title and they require (at a minimum) a police inspection where the VIN is run through the national stolen vehicle database and a notarized bill-of-sale. I would advise you to add a naritive where you document the VIN (matching numbers will greatly aid your cause) and explain the history as much as you can gleen it from the seller. The seller should be willing to work with you and understand that without a title you have a group of rolling parts, no a motorcycle. Alternatively There is a company in Michigan that has a number of frames with titles for $600 to $850. If a title is not going to be forthcoming, buy the "parts", buy a titles frame and enjoy your non-matching numbers "rider". Bill.

"Only Rich People Can Afford Poor Quailty"