Sold stolen motorcycle now he wants the money?

Okay I parted together a motorcycle from good deals, alot of ebay stuff etc, bought a clean titled frame put it together, titled it in my state, rode it for nearly a year, had insurance on it etc. Sold to a guy in another state. He had it for 4 months calls me and says it came up as stolen. Well come to find out the frame was stolen and the guy left the title in it and I bought it from the thief I am guessing, but of course I cant track him down. Now the guy that bought the bike from me wants the money, and his state impounded the bike so he doesn't have it. Am I legally responsible to pay him back. What bothers me is he had the bike for 4 months who's to say he didn't total it out or whatever then found it to be stolen.

Okay various answers as I suspected. Some more details, I had a clean title in my state in my name for nearly a year. Even had it insured. I did not know it was stolen. I did not have a receipt for the frame in our state the title is the receipt. I have talked to the police where the bike was stolen and no charges are going to be brought on me as there is nothing linking me to the theft other than owning it.

uh...you know you sold a stolen frame; and the frame is a stolen VIN number. If it get6s to court, you'll lose; I'd settle.

How do you KNOW it was a clean titled frame? Did you check with DMV? Totaled or not, it's treated by the state as stolen property. YOu can contact the DMV office holding it for information about the general conditions and specifics

unfortunately,you sold stolen merchandise wether you knew it or not. though I dont think any D.A would prosecute,your still liable, and yes,this guy would win in court.

You could be in trouble too. Selling stolen goods will get you some time. I'd talk to a legal expert.

Not your fault at all. Has nothing to do with you. Ignore him or report him to the police for extortion

It sounds as though you may have a defense. If you bought the bike in the ordinary course of business, then you would be protected under most state law from a claim such as this. Since you bought the bike frame from someone that had the title, I would argue you were such a buyer.

However, did you register your title? Private sales happen everyday. Once you buy a bike or car or other vehicle that has a title, you are supposed to register the new title in your name within a certain number of days. Otherwise, you have an "open title" which is against the law. So if you registered the title and there was no problem, then I don't see how you would be liable to the next buyer in line.

Now if you left the title open, then your position is less secure. It would appear that you suspected the frame to be stolen and avoided discovery. Whether that is true or not doesn't matter. Not registering the title would speak more to knowing the item was stolen.

The best thing to do is contact a local attorney and get some advise regarding the laws in your area. Laws vary greatly from state to state.

I think you should call legal aide in your state. or even speak to a clerk of the court and show them the receipts of the things you purchased. That way you show that there was no intention on your part as to doing anything illegal. You too, were a victim of the thief who stole the frame in the first place and sold it to you. You unwillingly purchased stolen property thinking every thing was fine. I hope you got a receipt from the guy even a piece of paper saying you gave him money for the item. You said you can't track him down but you really do not want to track down a guy who you found out stole the frame. Leave that to the police. You could call the county clerks office and say what if and what should he do that way you get the information you need.