My question involves vehicle registration or title in the state of: California
Ah, the twists and turns of getting a motorcycle registered. About a two years ago, I came across a garage find of a motorcycle in my friend (Steve*) garage where he was renting. It was in bad shape. He moved and did not take the motorcycle. Another year went by, and another friend was renting the same apartment and found this broken down motorcycle moved out of the garage to make room and would I help her move it to my motorcycle shop where it sat for another 8 months -- so this month I want to part out the bike or get it titled in my name and repair it. I did an online VIN check and the bike was not stolen or out of the system.
I contacted Steve and asked about the motorcycle. He agreed to gift it to me but did not have the title. So we drew up a bill of sale and application for duplicate title (Reg 227) and off I went to the DMV. However, the DMV came back with a different owner and co-owner (/) not AND or OR, but / on on the VIN. I told Steve about this and he went about contacting the guy (Dan*) who sold it to him. The previous owner, Dan told me over the phone that he bought it from a girl named Sarah* off Craigslist drove it for awhile, wrecked it, and it sat for a year, and then signed over the title to my friend Steve (who apparently never submitted the title before losing it) who stuck it in the garage.
Here's where it gets sticky. The DMV told me there were two owners on the title, the Previous Owner (Dan*) / Sarah. So, I believe I have to contact Sarah to get her to release interest in the vehicle, even though Dan insists he purchased the bike from Sarah outright. I would consider finding Sarah, but the DMV does not release records on owners.. and nobody can remember Sarah's last name.
Dan has agreed to release interest in the motorcycle to me as he's long over the broken machine. What about Sarah? It's been over 5 years since the bike was purchased from her and Dan no longer has paperwork on the sale to him.
How do I get title to this bike? Motor Vehicle Bond if I cannot find Sarah? Any advice would be appreciated.
*Names are solely for reasons of clarity

