LEGAL ISSUES, the short version of what occurred over the last month.
ICBC said can't assign me a VIN until I sort out the "legal" ownership issue. ICBC is able to provide me with the VIN of the stolen motorcycle. ICBC even able to tell me that the insurer who paid out a claim in Alberta was Axa-Pacific who have since been bought out by Intact Insurance.
RCMP. Interview, provide documents, advised they'd be doing nothing further, file closed. I assert possession of the parts is a civil matter and they leave the bike with me.
Intact Insurance: initially no idea what I was inquiring about. I eventually get a very helpful representative who takes charge of the file and chases down all of the information.
Chopperman (forum member, a.k.a. John from Quesnel) gives me information on the shyster seller. Information relayed to the RCMP ... bad move because file is re-opened for further investigation.
Intact Insurance: worried about ongoing RCMP investigation. After more communication with RCMP they confirm to Intact file closed (again). RCMP very helpful, particularly in communicating with Intact in what is (now) a civil matter.
ICBC kept in the loop the whole time, and various alternative proposals and plans were discussed. ICBC very helpful also.
All of the above was easily about 20 phone calls, at least as many emails, a few letters and a few faxes.
Today I received the following from Intact Insurance, "Please accept this letter as confirmation that Intact Insurance/AXA Pacific no longer has any financial interest in this vehicle and the individual (Dennis Smith) has full authority to register the vehicle in their name."
I think the light is at the end of the tunnel now. The Stolen Sportster is complete although not running great. If the new assigned VIN is sent to Xcaliber in the next few days, I may even have a month or so of summer riding on it.
Peace & Grease, Dennis