[takadi]

I bought a junked broken chinese 150 cc scooter for about 400 bucks on craigslist about three years ago. Spent lots time researching about scooters being a complete noob back then, spent lots of money on parts and mods. Fun times. I was able to get it to work beautifully and rode it for a summer with no license, no title no nothing, it was one of the best times I've had. I was completely ignorant back then and also didn't realize you needed titles. Never got caught or even had a cop look at me funny, so I didn't realize I did anything wrong. The guy who I bought it from just drove it to my house for free, no questions asked. I don't even have proof of purchase anymore, since the majority of the transaction took place over text messaging on a phone that I lost. I thought I made it off big time.

After the summer the scooter ran into a number of problems being a cheap chinese bike...rubber parts busting open, caps breaking, things getting loose, tires going flat, just everything ...there were no scooter mechanics around my area, I could only do so much being a beginner... life happened, and the scooter basically sat outside for three years in the most horrific weather, had a cover for a year and half but that was torn to shreds so it was basically naked outside for the rest.

Decided earlier this year to either trash it or fix it up. I had already invested so much into it 3 years ago trying to fix it and mod it up and I decided to try to find someone to make it brand new again to ride. There was emotional investment in this bike too so I was attached to it. Finally was able to find some guy, and the scooter was in terrible shape...final bill was 500 bucks for parts and labor and now it works again. I was so happy

Bad part is that now upon research I realized that a law passed last year where basically anything that goes over 35 mph is considered a motorcycle and requires insurance, motorcycle license, registration, the works. This will be virtually impossible for me since I have no way to contacting that guy I bought it from. I did remember messaging him about a few months after the purchase asking about a title and he said that he actually got this scooter from another guy without a title and rode it on the road for years without incident. This thing could have been passed along for who knows how far or long. I don't even know if a cheapo chinese scooter like this even comes with a title.

Now I have no clue what to do. Take the risk and just ride and hope I don't get pulled over or ticketed while parked? It hasn't happened so far but cop activity in my area has ramped up 10 fold in the last two years and it feels scary riding now. Now I'm pissed because I feel like I just took all my hard earned money and threw it in the trash. I've read that the process of getting a new title could even cost more than what I bought my scooter for in the first place.

I know I will get the whole "I told you so" line, and the whole "never buy a titleless vehicle" thing. It's already been three years. The deed has already been done. The money has been paid out. I have a scooter just begging to be rode in this beautiful weather. Does anyone have any advice or am I asking too much?