foodman500
New Member
Hi,
I'm new to the forum. I just built a motorized bicycle using a Huffy Cranbrook and BGF motor kit from Ebay.
I went to my local RMV in Lowell, MA with my Motorized Bicycle Form all filled out, and $40 for registration.
The first lady that helped my there didn't know how to help me, she was confused because I didn't have
a title or Certificate Of Origin with me. I told her, "I put this thing together myself, I bought the bike from Wal-Mart, and got the motor kit from Ebay." She was nice enough, but wasn't sure how to help me because "you didn't buy a complete motorized bicycle, and it's not a scooter." and then told me to go see the supervisor. So off I went to see the boss. She was annoyed that I got sent over from the other station, but even more annoyed that I didn't have any documentation with me. She said, "You need a bill of sale for the bike and a bill of sale for the motor you bought." I said, "So you expect me to get a bill of sale from Wal-Mart, and get one from an online purchase. That won't be possible."
I explained my situation once again, but she had enough at that point. Needless to say, I left with no sticker.
Here are the exact words of the MA motorized bicycle registration form:
"If registering a new motorized bicycle, provide the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin.
If registering a used motorized bicycle, provide the bill of sale."
My opinion:
So first of all, she is treating my moped as used, when there is no evidence of any previous owners through a title or bill of sale. She's trying to get me to register my moped as used when it is brand new. Some logic, huh?
Plus, I should only have to get THE, which means ONE in the language known as English, bill of sale for the bicycle because that's all I put on my form. One or the other, not both. More sound logic from the RMV.
My moped should be considered new as I just built it with brand new components.
My problem is this: I can't get a Certificate of Origin because BGF doesn't issue them for motor kits, and I don't have my receipt from Wal-Mart, purchasing of the bicycle, nor do I have one from BGF (there wasn't one with the kit.)
Has anyone run across this problem before dealing with the Mass RMV? A lot of you guys seem to have walked into Mass RMVs without paperwork for bike or motor (just as I did) and you walk out with your sticker and don't have too many hassles there.
I can't find any Mass law pertaining to home assembled mopeds, and what documentation is required for them, only a poorly written page on the RMV website declaring what a motorized bike is by their definition.
I will try the Leominster RMV if you guys can help me to figure this out.
And if that doesn't work, I'll just ride and take my chances
Matt Burns
I'm new to the forum. I just built a motorized bicycle using a Huffy Cranbrook and BGF motor kit from Ebay.
I went to my local RMV in Lowell, MA with my Motorized Bicycle Form all filled out, and $40 for registration.
The first lady that helped my there didn't know how to help me, she was confused because I didn't have
a title or Certificate Of Origin with me. I told her, "I put this thing together myself, I bought the bike from Wal-Mart, and got the motor kit from Ebay." She was nice enough, but wasn't sure how to help me because "you didn't buy a complete motorized bicycle, and it's not a scooter." and then told me to go see the supervisor. So off I went to see the boss. She was annoyed that I got sent over from the other station, but even more annoyed that I didn't have any documentation with me. She said, "You need a bill of sale for the bike and a bill of sale for the motor you bought." I said, "So you expect me to get a bill of sale from Wal-Mart, and get one from an online purchase. That won't be possible."
I explained my situation once again, but she had enough at that point. Needless to say, I left with no sticker.
Here are the exact words of the MA motorized bicycle registration form:
"If registering a new motorized bicycle, provide the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin.
If registering a used motorized bicycle, provide the bill of sale."
My opinion:
So first of all, she is treating my moped as used, when there is no evidence of any previous owners through a title or bill of sale. She's trying to get me to register my moped as used when it is brand new. Some logic, huh?
Plus, I should only have to get THE, which means ONE in the language known as English, bill of sale for the bicycle because that's all I put on my form. One or the other, not both. More sound logic from the RMV.
My moped should be considered new as I just built it with brand new components.
My problem is this: I can't get a Certificate of Origin because BGF doesn't issue them for motor kits, and I don't have my receipt from Wal-Mart, purchasing of the bicycle, nor do I have one from BGF (there wasn't one with the kit.)
Has anyone run across this problem before dealing with the Mass RMV? A lot of you guys seem to have walked into Mass RMVs without paperwork for bike or motor (just as I did) and you walk out with your sticker and don't have too many hassles there.
I can't find any Mass law pertaining to home assembled mopeds, and what documentation is required for them, only a poorly written page on the RMV website declaring what a motorized bike is by their definition.
I will try the Leominster RMV if you guys can help me to figure this out.
And if that doesn't work, I'll just ride and take my chances
Matt Burns