General Cycling Discussion - ? about buying a used bike. How can you tell if it's stolen?

I was just wondering if there is some sort of registry where a log of bikes is kept. If I was to buy a used bike, how could I determine if it is a stolen bike or even stolen merchandise from a store?

I'm guessing the only way would be through the serial numbers on the frame.

Yes, the serial numbers on the frame, call your local police precinct and see if they have more info on how to check? Or ask the seller for a reciept or something. And ask right out "Is this bike stolen".

How about the bill for the bike.Got mine for the cd i'm selling.

Check here.http://www.downtube.com/index.html

if there is still a lock on the bike that the "onwer just can not seem to remember the combination to anymore"

if the owner knows nothing aobut the bike.........

Use common sense. If the person is selling the bike from their home or office and it is a fair price, it is likely not stolen. If they insist on meeting you at the far baseball diamond of the city park at 10PM and they're asking 25% of the normal price, it is likely stolen.

I suspect that in the vast majority of times, it is pretty obvious when a bike is stolen.

Paul

ask lots of questions about the bike.. When it was purchased, what model it is, what year.. What LBS was it bought from..

Specific questions: are all the components still stock or was upgraded... repainted.. frame material.. even stupid questions count..

are there serial numbers on anything besides the frame? anything else I can check up on?

Is the man trying to sell it to you wearing a long sleeved top with horizontal black and white stripes? Is he wearing a small black mask across his eyes? Does he have a black cloth bag draped over his shoulder?