'80 Midnight Special: to resurrect, or part out(?)

[UncleSpot]

...while collecting parts to put my '80 XS1100 SG back together I bought an '80 Midnight Special - for $200. The tranny is mulched, the clutch is shot, the gas tank needs to be painted, the seat is held together with duct tape, (etc) and it's been sitting, unregistered, for 6 yrs.
I went to the DMV this morning to see what I'd have to do to register it non-op so I could start working on it...
'was informed there were back fees of $354 - so I just said, "I'll just part it out".
I was informed the fees are *still* due and I "couldn't do that"...

...so, the question would be: pay the $354 and pump a *LOT* of money and time into this bike (47K miles) and hope it's 1/2 the bike my SG is... or say screw it and start dismantling it to put the parts on eBay...

[DiverRay]

I think you hear e-bay calling. The CA DMV doesn't need any more of your money!

[greywolfe555]

part it out on e-bay. then tell those theives in cali to suck sand.

[superdave]

I remember filling out an afidavit stating my old race bike had not been riden on the steet for 10 yrs +. I sold it to a buddy at work, no fees were applied except for transfer... mite you try playing the system ! my 2 cents worth...

[prometheus578]

All the titles on my "spares" were signed by the seller, but never dated. If dated, I'd have 15 days to transfer the title and register, or fines kick in when I eventually title them. Of course, then I'd have to pay $33 per bike to register them every year, running or not.
I'd rather let them sleep in legal limbo.