MSO Help

[bigtwin100]

Anyone ever get screwed by Gripos on an MSO? My buddy bought a frame in February and Gripos will not send him the MSO. Called KT and they said they have gotten many calls about Gripos not sending the MSO. Why would he not send it? is he just a lazy POS or is he just a prick? Any help would be greatly appreciated

[RedWings]

if you got the mso those numbers can be stamped on any bike and theres a lotta guys out there that will pay 500 for a clean mso.

[bigtwin100]

That is the thing, he does not have the MSO. Has just the frame. Gripos will not send it to him. 6months so far and no MSO.

[MechWerks]

A MSO is a manufacturers statement of origin. It simply indicates a transfer of a product to a different owner. Any number on an MSO is of relatively useless value and is not used to identify a motor vehicle. A MSO is little more than a receipt. Obviously having an MSO with you name on it is useful to demonstrate clear ownership when necessary (like registration and title process of a special construction vehicle).
A VIN , vehicle identification number, is required to identify a motor vehicle. A very different process is required to create a usable VIN number and have it assigned to a motor vehicle title.
Basically the issue will be proof of ownership when providing documentation to the local DVM for issue of title (and VIN). First step would be to see if they will accept a receipt or bill of sale that came with the frame purchase. Hopefully there was a receipt? At least get a receipt of puchase with the frame manufacturer number on in. That number is not a VIN. If a MSO was indicated in the purchase of the frame then there is breach of contract and the sale is not complete. The passage of time will hurt a credit card resolution if a card was used. Could hire a lawyer to send a letter to scare a MSO out of the manufacturer (yeah, right) or go small claims court for resolution (and mention of that process may be enough to get the paperwork).

[RedWings]

If someone has an mso that didn't get sent to you and attains a title with it you are shit out of luck. The bike will go thru 5 hands before you even get started in a court then pay a lawyer 5K to get your money back? Your best bet is to be nice to the guy and keep your fingers crossed that he'll come thru if he hasn't already sold the mso to a chop shop.

[Ricky-D]

Your problem is that Gripos is nothing but a reseller, they are not a manufacturer!

Gripos did not build that frame. Some other entity built the frame. They have to get an MSO from the frame builder and forward it to you.

Depending on their relationship with their supplier, resolution of your problem is tenuous at best.

Proof of sale is probably the only document you will absolutely need unless you build it yourself.

Doing some detective work with your state authorities will solve a lot of your problems. You just have to keep in mind the people that work for the state authorities don't want to expend much energy for any reason so there will be some resistance to your path of inquiry. Patience and good attitude will get the job done.

Know this. All states have laws that make possible "home-made" anything, allow registration and titling and licensing to ride on the road. Just some states are tougher than others.

If there are no numbers on the frame you could stipulate that you built the frame yourself. They could not and would not dispute that with you. Then you just need to file an application for a state issued VIN number.

***

[RedWings]

if worse comes to worse thats the best solution. grind off the numbers and tell them that you made it. Get a bill of sale for some tubing but thats the last option.

[MechWerks]

Originally Posted by RedWings

If someone has an mso that didn't get sent to you and attains a title with it you are shit out of luck. The bike will go thru 5 hands before you even get started in a court then pay a lawyer 5K to get your money back? Your best bet is to be nice to the guy and keep your fingers crossed that he'll come thru if he hasn't already sold the mso to a chop shop.

A MSO is only a receipt that usually show transfer of ownership of major components...as in the case of bikes...frame, engine, crankcase, transmission, etc.
If Gripos is a reseller, then they have the MSO since ownership would have transferred from the manufacturer to them. Then they sign over ownership to you. A MSO usually has several lines of ownership transaction on the back side for such transfers. The serial numbers on a item or MSO are rarely used for a VIN. But I have seen examples of a state DMV using an existing frame number. It does not mean that that number is somehow absorbed forever as a VIN.

The main interest state DMV have in receipts is to prove parts are not stolen and to get their tax money for a motor vehicle (and the parts used to make it). Most will work with you to get the bike titled and registered...so they can start taking their cut.

[RedWings]

in my state they check the number on the mso to the frame. If no match or no mso you get no title and no registration.

[Centurion25]

Hey i wish i would have seen this post sooner. i bought a frame, motor and trans back in july and still have no mso. i don't get emails returned or phone calls answered. If your friend was able to get this resolved please let me know how it turned out. I guess my first step would be to find a lawyer to deal with this.

[36kings]

Originally Posted by Centurion25

Hey i wish i would have seen this post sooner. i bought a frame, motor and trans back in july and still have no mso. i don't get emails returned or phone calls answered. If your friend was able to get this resolved please let me know how it turned out. I guess my first step would be to find a lawyer to deal with this.

Sorry to dig this up, but I'm in the same situation.

I have no MSO's from Gripos for my KT frame and it's been over 10 months. Doesn't return my emails or calls but remains very active on eBay!


I do have receipts that state the engine and frame serials and VIN