The 1971 Sportster was purchased on eBay for $2,400 by Michael Meistrell of Cranford.
The Union County prosecutor's office says he learned it was stolen on Halloween 1974 in Providence, R.I., after he contacted Harley-Davidson for more information about the vehicle.
Prosecutor Theodore Romankow says Meistrell and several other prior owners never realized the motorcycle had been stolen, including the Voorhees man who was the recent seller.
Ebay will reimburse Meistrell under its policy protecting those who inadvertently buy stolen vehicles.
The original owner is being traced and no arrests have yet been made.
