California Motorcycle Bill of Sale Template

What makes a motorcycle different: A motorcycle moves through the same titling counter as a car, so the paperwork looks familiar, but the risk profile does not. Frames and engines are swapped far more often than on cars, aftermarket parts make up a large share of the value, and a machine that has been rebuilt from two donors can carry a branded title the seller never mentions. The bill of sale should describe the machine as it stands, including replaced major components.

Identifying the motorcycle: Record the vehicle identification number stamped on the steering head, which should be checked against the number on the title and against the engine number recorded separately, since a matching frame and a replacement engine is a normal and legitimate situation that still needs writing down.

Mileage and hours: A motorcycle is not exempt from federal odometer disclosure, which is the most common mistake on these sales. 49 CFR 580.17 exempts vehicles over 16,000 pounds gross weight, vehicles that are not self-propelled, and older vehicles by model year. A motorcycle is none of those. Note the model year cutover too: the familiar ten-year exemption applies only to model year 2010 and earlier, while anything from model year 2011 onward stays disclosable for 20 years.

Tax on the sale: In California, buyer pays use tax based on the purchase price or fair market value (whichever is higher), California use tax rate is the same as the sales tax rate in the buyer's county (7.25%-10.75%).

Notarization: not required for vehicle transactions, the seller signs the title certificate, and the buyer submits it to the DMV.

Both signatures: The document should be signed by seller and buyer and a copy kept by each, since it is the only record either party holds if the transfer is later questioned.

Sold as seen: A private sale in California carries no implied warranty unless the parties write one in, so state plainly whether the motorcycle is sold as-is.