@Danger Wondering how you got on with this. I'm in PA and we are also quite famously DMV challenged. I had two experiences with "totaled" bikes. One was a similar situation to you with a 2004 ST1300, other was a 20XX F650.
Sorry about the volume of words... TL;DR
Start with a conversation at the Police level. You mentioned 214 pages, look for the short route. Be patient, go to your Representatives office if you need relief, use self deprecation* and never mind their politics.
The ST was totaled from my Insurance company, I let it sit for years out of frustration having bought all the parts and shelved them. Finally decided to put it together and pass it to a new owner (damage was all cosmetic). I don't know how many pages our code is but you need to go to an "enhanced" inspection station, there are quite a few but finding one that ddid bikes was not easy. I polished her up and ride it over, ask them what is the process. Fill out this form, leave, come back tomorrow and pay $300.00. Easy enough. I had the same issue with non documented parts and such. Process worked as described/expected.
The 650 was not straight forward. I received the bike with clean title, C owner I think, a few weeks later I open a letter from the DMV with a "Junk" designation title, bike was beyond totaled, non repairable. Hmmm that's interesting, I over paid for it too. Having had my share of interactions with the DMV in 40 years I knew a call to them was useless. I don't remember exactly how I heard to go to the State Police barracks, that was the first step, and the right one, should have been the final too, alas PA. After multiple rejections from the DMV and 6 months later or so, I finally went to my local Representatives office and explained what was happening. In the past I have used them with other DMV problems, they always get it done fast and right, they did and the intern at the front desk learned something new. He had a similar problem with an out of state car and was able to use this mechanism to solve his title problem.
* This is key with everyone all through the process. My daughter was an intern at a DC office and almost everyone calling was identifying a problem, complaining about it and demanding relief. I assure you the people that called thanking them for their public service and asking is there any way they can intercede on your behalf got good service. Honey vinegar thing you know.
