packrat79
10-21-2008, 06:25 PM
A few months ago I put a motor on my bicycle; this was the closest I'd ever had to a real motorbike, and it was quite a lot of fun. However it had some major shortcomings, so I started thinking I'd like to get a motorcycle. I realize that it's late in the year, but I thought I might be able to get in a few more weeks of riding before the snow comes. And how hard can it be to wear a winter hat under your helmet?
The one that appealed to me most was the Honda CT-70. It seemed just the right size and speed for what I wanted, and since these bikes are all older they can often be had quite cheaply. So I found someone with a couple of CT-70's for sale, at a very reasonable price since neither was in running order. But before purchasing one, I decided to check into the process of licensing and registration.
It's a good thing I decided to wait, because the information I've found out in the past couple of days has all but completely killed the whole idea. The entire process of legalizing a used motorcycle, especially something old like this, is at least for me an almost impossible job. The amount of red tape involved is downright cruel - the government here in New Brunswick has done their worst, to make the process as complicated and burdensome as possible. Here's a brief summary of the steps required and the problems they present for me......
1. Registration
In order to register this bike in my name, I must have the following:
-A bill of sale proving my purchase of the bike - who gets these from a guy selling stuff out of his garage?
-A proof of application for insurance
-The previous registration info from the last registered owner. This is a major problem since this bike was passed around to various people, and it simply may not be possible to find out who last had it registered.
-An appraisal, since this 1972-model bike is not in their "blue book"
2. Insurance, required for registration
This step isn't too complicated, but it's expensive as hell - one quote I got today was $520/year, with $275 of that due at the time of registration. Another place wouldn't even give me insurance without 1 year worth of driver training. That was as far as I inquired, as by now I was getting quite upset and feared I may end up giving someone a piece of my mind.
3. Licensing
Another tricky step. Not only must I pass a written exam, but a driving exam on the bike I intend to use - pretty hard to do if I haven't yet driven it on the road. And this is where it gets really tricky; the last motorcycle driving exam is next Monday the 27th; after that, I have to wait ALL @$*!!!! WINTER before the next one is available!! I have no idea what work the bike needs or how long it will take me to get it running and roadworthy, it may take weeks if parts need to be ordered.
I can't express how frustrated I am with this whole process. Advice is welcome, but at this point I think think the whole idea is as good as dead, killed by a mountain of beaurocratic BS and laid to rest in a coffin of red tape. If only the government realized how miserable they're making our lives - at least we can take comfort in the fact that there's a nice hot corner of hell waiting for these oppressors of ours.
The one that appealed to me most was the Honda CT-70. It seemed just the right size and speed for what I wanted, and since these bikes are all older they can often be had quite cheaply. So I found someone with a couple of CT-70's for sale, at a very reasonable price since neither was in running order. But before purchasing one, I decided to check into the process of licensing and registration.
It's a good thing I decided to wait, because the information I've found out in the past couple of days has all but completely killed the whole idea. The entire process of legalizing a used motorcycle, especially something old like this, is at least for me an almost impossible job. The amount of red tape involved is downright cruel - the government here in New Brunswick has done their worst, to make the process as complicated and burdensome as possible. Here's a brief summary of the steps required and the problems they present for me......
1. Registration
In order to register this bike in my name, I must have the following:
-A bill of sale proving my purchase of the bike - who gets these from a guy selling stuff out of his garage?
-A proof of application for insurance
-The previous registration info from the last registered owner. This is a major problem since this bike was passed around to various people, and it simply may not be possible to find out who last had it registered.
-An appraisal, since this 1972-model bike is not in their "blue book"
2. Insurance, required for registration
This step isn't too complicated, but it's expensive as hell - one quote I got today was $520/year, with $275 of that due at the time of registration. Another place wouldn't even give me insurance without 1 year worth of driver training. That was as far as I inquired, as by now I was getting quite upset and feared I may end up giving someone a piece of my mind.
3. Licensing
Another tricky step. Not only must I pass a written exam, but a driving exam on the bike I intend to use - pretty hard to do if I haven't yet driven it on the road. And this is where it gets really tricky; the last motorcycle driving exam is next Monday the 27th; after that, I have to wait ALL @$*!!!! WINTER before the next one is available!! I have no idea what work the bike needs or how long it will take me to get it running and roadworthy, it may take weeks if parts need to be ordered.
I can't express how frustrated I am with this whole process. Advice is welcome, but at this point I think think the whole idea is as good as dead, killed by a mountain of beaurocratic BS and laid to rest in a coffin of red tape. If only the government realized how miserable they're making our lives - at least we can take comfort in the fact that there's a nice hot corner of hell waiting for these oppressors of ours.