Stolen bike turns up – after 34 years!

[Bob]

A Harley Davidson Sportster stolen in 1974 in Rhode Island has turned up… nearly 34 years later in neighbouring New Jersey!

When Michael Meistrell purchased the bike on EBay, he contacted Harley for more information on the motorcycle, only to find it had been stolen over three decades previously.

According to police, neither Meistrell nor several former owners had any idea the motorcycle had been stolen, including the seller. EBay is to reimburse Meistrell as part of its policy protecting inadvertent buyers of stolen vehicles.

The original owner is currently being traced.

[CB ARGH]

I have a good story, back when I worked at Repco there was a lady that worked there, she was called Jill, useless information for you. Anyway, there was a Skyline GT-Whatever stolen a few years back, and it was found about three or so years later, same numberplate, same paint job, same EVERYTHING. The bastard was just driving it around to commute with!

[munterk6]

I wish I could get my old PE400 Suzook back from the little f@#ker that took it from my garage back in 85, and my old CB400 Four that was taken from Manchester St back in 78...

[Mr Triple]

I wish I could get my old PE400 Suzook back from the little f@#ker that took it from my garage back in 85, and my old CB400 Four that was taken from Manchester St back in 78...

Well there maybe some hope yet, 34 years is a long time. But yes there's some dirty buggers around.

[AllanB]

CB400 super sport. Hmmm nice. They'll be getting collectible now too!

[speedpro]

CB400 super sport. Hmmm nice. They'll be getting collectible now too!

Too late, it's already been collected, back in '78

[fredie]

the buyer can make a claim too officialy own it . justs as too make a claim if the original owner cant be found

[Owl]

We had our work trailer stolen from the back of our workshop. Many years later, my boss was driving past the testing station and spotted it even though it'd been highly modified with tyre rack etc. He drove to the police station and told them and they asked how he knew it was his. He said "Because I made it, it's one of a kind and it will have my initials stamped underneath the chassis." They checked it out and sure enough, it was his. Of course it became an insurance issue then as they legally owned it.

[johnsv650]

statue of limitations in usa ? 7 years

[wybmadiity]

The original owner is currently being traced.

Classic, Imagine that 3 decades later a police man knocks on your door... "we found your bike sir"

[TLDV8]

Nice outcome

In that case.
I had a 1964 1/2 Ford 427 Low Riser 8V manifold stolen around 1993 (Auckland)
It is out there somewhere.
Keep your eyes peeled.

I have a 'small" hunch it was stolen to fit a Peterson/Hamilton GMC 671 supercharger top adapter and went on a Mustang

[fredie]

a new york guy had his corvette stollen over 40 years ago. then last year customs noticed it in a shipping container bound for europe. still in its original condition .

[skidMark]

Had a g-scooter stolen from glen innes...

Turned up at the local mechanics 10 months later...

cops came in...

"can you prove its yours"

"yep did a frame strengthing job on it and custom billet deck"

**pulls out pictures he took of the frame modifications**

needless to say the thugs came back to the bike shop wondering where it was...once the bike shop owner told them the cops had come and taken it they left real quick... plates didn't check out to match the van, but plates had been reported by multiple people.

[Insanity_rules]

I bought a Mint 1978 Corolla Wagon back in 1989 and it was stolen six months later also uninsured. In 1995 I got a call from the police that my car had been recovered from an operation in Wainuiomata and did I want to come and collect it.

Well when I went to the police station and clapped eyes on my corolla it was super sad. It had been house painted white. It had been to hell and back. It was wearing a set of plates off another corolla but my plates were found under the boot carpet (they ran the engine number to see which plates were right. It had a wof so I took it home. I re regoed and tidied it up a bit and gave it to my wife to replace her clapped out cortina. It ran till about the end of 2002 when my wife (who was now driving it) sold it off to the Demo derby.

It subsequently came 2nd in a field of about 60 cars.

Just goes to show you can't keep a good toyota down.