Go visit the office where you would transfer titles and ask them what it takes to generate a title for an abandoned bike. Seems like the V.I.N. run through the
Is it stolen
Check list should get you started.
Different states have different rules.

In KY it is impossible to get a title for something that doesn't already have a title.  An original owner can apply for a lost title replacement - but nobody else can.

You may be able to find online sources for agencies that can get you a title.

They issue you a title from a state with lenient rules, then later on you may be able to transfer it into your state. I think it cost about $400 to get this done by an agency.....you can do it yourself but it will take you some time to figure out how to get it done.

If it wasn't already noted above, some states also allow for a bonded title, where the cost of the bond is based on the value of the bike. When you are dealing with bikes this cheap and add the cost of the bike on top of the title fee and then the bond, you are back to square one as far as money and you would be in the same spot financially if you just bought a bike with clean title that didn't need this extra work.

I bought a bike with a title issue once (the bank screwed it up, not the seller) and although it was not a lost/missing title issue, never again will I buy a bike without clear title in hand.  

I think the consensus here is that unless you or a family member work for DMV and you have connections, no-title bikes are almost never worth the trouble if your goal is to get a title.  If all you want is a parts bike, then cheap no-title bikes are ok.

...And think about it this way, if getting a title were viable the current owner would have already done it and they are usually selling because they have already realized it ain't happening.  

Or go online and buy just a frame with a title . If it's a bike you intend to keep, you shouldn't care what year it's titled as.

Actually, it's the second link.  It's probably mostly used by landlords who have tenants that leave their junk behind.  I know a guy who said his brother has used it before.

Quote:

Here in Florida it is nearly impossible to get a title for an abandoned bike. The only "easy" way is to find the previous owner and have him get a replacement title then have it signed over to the buyer. If it's not possible to locate the previous owner the bike is a parts bike.
  It is possible to have a title search done but once again even if you find out who the bike was titled to you still need to find him and get a title from him. The other fly in the ointment would be that if he wanted the bike back you could be out of all the money and time that you spent.
 I'm not even going into buying the bike from a third party who just wants to unload the bike without a title. That can get into dealing with stolen property.

Zook, I have a frame with a clean title from Pa. for sale. Frame is tweeked but title is straight. All you need is the head stock and title, my sawsall can make that a reality.