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