What to do with a bike that’s not mine?

[pidsy]

I have an issue and I’m at a bit of a loss for what to do.

I’ll try and keep this basic for now - can add more detail later.

I have a friends 2016 GSX 750 in one of my garages. It’s sat right in the middle and has been for a few years.

Basically, he bought it new, used it for a few months to commute but then moved to a new place without off street parking. Not wanting to leave it outside in the road in London, he asked if he could leave it with me until he sorted something out.

Then, he came into some money - a good lump so decided to leave work, do his own thing and enjoy life.

I last saw him 18 months ago and I mentioned the bike - he said I could have it if I did my DAS - Ive no interest in bikes (I can appreciate them absolutely- but don’t want to ride. I explained this, and we left it that he would work something out.

He has since dropped off the radar completely. He doesn’t return emails, calls, texts. Not just mine but to anyone in our circle of friends.

So basically, I need the bike gone but don’t know what to do.

It’s in the middle of the garage so in the worst place it could be.

I don’t have the keys

It’s chained and padlocked

Ive heard that he’s moved house again but no one knows where to do I can’t go round

I don’t want to drag it outside into the elements for it to sit for it’s future.

I thought getting a solicitor to write a letter telling him he has X amount of time to pick it up would be a start… but I don’t know where to send one.

I’m not sure the PH bikers will be much help but I thought I’d ask anyway.

Thanks in advance.

[MikeA3]

Sounds like a tricky situation if you can’t contact him and don’t have the keys.

You mentioned it’s chained up but is the steering lock on?

If it’s not then you may be able to at least move it to another spot in the garage with some helpful friends or perhaps using a paddock stand. If nothing else it won’t be in the middle of the garage so slightly less of an inconvenience for you.

[pidsy]

The steering lock is off so I could move it to the side but it’s more an issue of me just wanting it gone - as it stands, I don’t want to damage it, knock it etc.

Should’ve mentioned it is Sorn - does this need to be renewed yearly?

It’s obviously never had an MOT as it’s been here.

[Rubin215]

Ebay.

99p starting bid.

Be honest and then leave it up to the buyer to sort things out.

[bristolracer]

Good lump of money and gone off to enjoy himself?

Broke within 3 years, will be back looking for his bike as he will be thinking hes got a couple of grand tied up in that and the conversation about giving it to you will be forgotten......

Just be cautious, check out the legal situation before acting, with a solicitor not some blokes opinion from the internet.

[samdale]

bristolracer said:

Just be cautious, check out the legal situation before acting, with a solicitor not some blokes opinion from the internet.

Very much this.

A quick Google for "claiming an abandoned vehicle" or similar suggests reporting to local authority or DVLA. Might be different that it's on your land not the street but there should be a legal (if long-winded) route of taking ownership of it.
I assume LA or DVLA will come up blank as it'll be SORN and registered to an incorrect address. Keep all documents associated with the process.

[pidsy]

Thanks all.

There’s no way I’d sell it. It’s not mine to sell and it’s come back to bite me at some point I’m sure.

I could apply for the v5 but that doesn’t confirm ownership - I’m not sure Suzuki will cut keys for it even if I did get it.

I guess that notifying 101/DVLA would be a start - at least it would be noted as a starting date?

[trickywoo]

pidsy said:

There’s no way I’d sell it.

You want it gone but you’d never sell it?

That isn’t going to work out very well.

If I knew someone well enough that they left a bike in my garage and then said I could have it I wouldn’t ask twice.

If you don’t want to sell it for fear of the new owner coming back to you for some reason and don’t want to apply for the v5 all you can do is strip it for parts.

The cheapest grinder from screwfix would go through that chain in seconds.

[pidsy]

trickywoo said:

pidsy said:

There’s no way I’d sell it.

You want it gone but you’d never sell it?

That isn’t going to work out very well.

If I knew someone well enough that they left a bike in my garage and then said I could have it I wouldn’t ask twice.

If you don’t want to sell it for fear of the new owner coming back to you for some reason and don’t want to apply for the v5 all you can do is strip it for parts.

The cheapest grinder from screwfix would go through that chain in seconds.

I wouldn’t sell it as it’s not mine - I want it gone. I was hoping for some thought about how best to make contact with him so I can force him to remove it.

It’s not a complex moral dilemma. That’s why I’d asked if a Sorn declaration needed renewing every year or if it only needs doing once. If he’s having to renew it yearly, he won’t have forgotten about it.

As for him saying I could have it - I don’t think memory of a conversation would stand up if he turns up at some point and I’ve sold it.

Edit to add - I never said I didn’t want to apply for the V5 - just that a V5 doesn’t prove ownership.

[Anonymous-poster]

If you live in London then get a couple of mates and lift it onto trays a slide it outside and within a few days it will disappear!

[pidsy]

Yeah it wouldn’t take long.

[Drabbesttunic]

Either chuck it outside and ignore it or move it to the side and ignore it.
Great friend to just disappear off the radar and ignore you, do you know where his family is, I'd be chucking it in a van and dumping it round there.

[Zarco]

trickywoo said:

pidsy said:

There’s no way I’d sell it.

You want it gone but you’d never sell it?

That isn’t going to work out very well.

If I knew someone well enough that they left a bike in my garage and then said I could have it I wouldn’t ask twice.

If you don’t want to sell it for fear of the new owner coming back to you for some reason and don’t want to apply for the v5 all you can do is strip it for parts.

The cheapest grinder from screwfix would go through that chain in seconds.

This.

I'd never leave a vehicle, or let one be left with me, long term at a friend's house without leaving the keys. Now it's a complete PITA.

Shame you're not a biker Pidsy.

[CAPP0]

The Bike Owner who's buggered off was talking to a new mate down the pub and said:

Yeah, I've got a bike, I keep it in London, I've got this really cheap storage place, it can stay there til I'm ready to use it again

It's a bit sh*t on his part to leave that there and just expect you to get on with it. How much of a mate do you still consider him? Maybe the way forward is some sort of formal letter to his last address giving him 14 days to collect or make arrangements, then as above, cut the padlock off the chain (so you can put a new one on and use it yourself) and stick it on Ebay. Someone will take it. Alternatively I know someone who would probably buy it (at the right price) if you want it gone, he's in Kent and breaks bikes for a living. As a last resort you could always put the cash from the sale aside in case he ever turns up?

[elanfan]

It’d be a shame if your garage got broken into and it wax stolen wouldn’t it.

[Moulder]

I would suggest...

1/ Apply for V5, DVLA will write to registered owner to see if they object. If he has moved house nothing will come of this.
2/ When you have the V5 sell the bike. Bike prices are high at the moment so should get a good price for it.
3/ Keep documents from the sale
4/ Keep the money in a specific account so if he does appear in a few years you can give it to him, minus storage.

If you are concerned by this send a few registered letters in advance.

[Abdul Abulbul Amir]

Cut the locks and wheel it onto the street around the corner. Report to council as abandoned.

[Gary C]

pidsy said:

Thanks all.

There’s no way I’d sell it. It’s not mine to sell and it’s come back to bite me at some point I’m sure.

I could apply for the v5 but that doesn’t confirm ownership - I’m not sure Suzuki will cut keys for it even if I did get it.

I guess that notifying 101/DVLA would be a start - at least it would be noted as a starting date?

he said you could have it didn't he ?

I'm sure he thinks its yours now.

Apply for a V5, get a locksmith, flog it.

If your friend comes round in a few years, remind him that he gave it to you.

Or, I could get rid of it for you

[Drawweight]

Moulder said:

I would suggest...

1/ Apply for V5, DVLA will write to registered owner to see if they object. If he has moved house nothing will come of this.
2/ When you have the V5 sell the bike. Bike prices are high at the moment so should get a good price for it.
3/ Keep documents from the sale
4/ Keep the money in a specific account so if he does appear in a few years you can give it to him, minus storage.

If you are concerned by this send a few registered letters in advance.

That’s probably the best idea.

However having the V5 still doesn’t make it yours to sell and the buyer could face the prospect of losing the bike if your mate was bloody minded.

Saying that personally I’d take the chance and put the money aside if he comes back for it.

[Djtemeka]

Will he reply on FB if you pester him? I might have it off you if you can get it in writing that it’s yours now. I’d want it cheap though as I’m not in the market for a bike 😂 I doubt I could fit into my leathers anymore