| Author | Message | ||
     Jayd241 |
I'm in the market for a 1125, and I found one that seems too good to be true. http://madison.craigslist.org/mcy/5453443228.html Although it is not stated in the ad, I'm guessing it has a "rebuilt" title as salvage titles do not allow the bike to be registered or insured. Is there anything I can look for that is an obvious indication of frame damage or other red flags? Assuming the bike is straight, is this a good buy? | ||
| Reepicheep |
The story is plausible but a stretch. Figure the bike had $1000 in damages (kind of a stretch high). Figure the insurance company declared the total value of the bike as $4k (kind of stretch low). So the insurance company totalled it, offered the $4000 settlement, and offered it as buyback to the owner for $3000. (kind of a high stretch). The owner bought it for that, fixed it for $500, and is now selling for $3800. That means the insurance company took a $1000 loss. So plausible, but everything has to be bent the same direction pretty far to make it the case that it could work. Now if the frame got dented, then the insurance company WOULD have totalled it and sold it back cheap. | ||
| Froggy |
Figure out what is involved with getting it registered in your state. Some states are more difficult to register salvage/rebuilt vehicles than others. I'd look for any damage to the bike, his excuse for the rebuilt title doesn't really add up, most parking lot mishaps cost less to fix than your typical insurance deductible. It looks like the ignition cover is a little ground up, the bike might have had a decent amount of left side damage, was totaled by insurance, and then the bike was bought back and cheaply fixed. Many times insurance companies will total the bike if there is even a nick in the frame paint due to the liability of potentially hidden frame damage. | ||
| Zhen13 |
Just found out the hard way. Salvaged bikes in Indiana have a way of getting them inspected and the title "washed" so the Indiana title shows clean. But when you retitle it in Illinois title shows as salvaged. Not saying there is anything wrong with salvaged bikes . But they definitely sells for less when titled as such. The guy pulling this scam is a Russian guy in Mt. Prospect. Illinois. He deals in sport bikes and have contacted several other he has scammed. So be careful out there. In the above referenced ad at least the guy is disclosing that info. | ||
| Zhen13 |
Do a VIN search, that way have all relevant info before you buy. Can even take the VIN to the local Harley dealer they can give you service and recall history on the bike. Assuming they used the dealer. Wish I had | ||
| Jayd241 |
All good pieces of advice, thank you. I am awaiting a response from the guy about coming out to see the bike. I will grill him as to how the bike came to be totaled, and how it was re-titled. I'll also get the VIN and run it by the local HD dealer. I won't buy the bike if it is a salvage title, as I can't register it in WI. I can register it with a rebuilt title. I'm not going to get over-eager on this one, as I don't want to get burned. I was always told "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is". I'll check back in when I get more information. Thanks for all the advice! | ||
| Zhen13 |
http://www.vehiclehistory.gov/ | ||
| Big_dog |
I can speak from experience of getting a salvage titled bike back on the road in California. Yes, the insurance company refused to fix it and junked the bike. I then purchased the bike from the insurance company. I then replaced every piece of plastic, swing arm, fairing stay, speedometer, left side case, left hand grip, turn signal and clutch reservoir. Then had to take bike to license brake and lamp inspector and then to CHP to verify VIN numbers on bike frame, engine matched. Then take both certifications to DMV with proof of insurance. Now the bike is street legal again with a salvaged title. And rides and looks better than ever!  | ||
| Joe7bros |
Also have to be very careful about what a salvage title actually is. New York, and not sure if this is still the case, issues a salvage certificate, not a salvage title; means it cannot be titled in another state. Has something to do with the insurance company ownership of a totaled vehicle. Additionally, the value of 1125 bikes is so low, why bother. I had my choice of two 2009 1125CRs, one with one owner and 9,000 miles, and the other a two owner bike with 5,000 miles, both really clean, both red, both $4500, both with clean titles in seller's name . Bought the two owner bike as it was closer | ||
| Stevel |
I cannot attest to the difficulty of re-registering a salvaged bike, but I can attest to the relative ease of repairing dented frames. Dented/damaged frames are an almost unavoidable result if the bike is dropped. Damaged frames almost always result in a totaled bike and the reason for that is the relatively low resale value of 1125 bikes, not safety reasons. The best and easiest method of frame/tank repair is to cut the damaged section out of the frame with an abrasive wheel. Then either straighten the removed section or fabricate a replacement piece from sheet and re-weld. This requires a good TIG welder and back gassing inside the tank. The welds are then sanded flush and blended. The whole frame is then re-powder coated and the result looks and functions just like a new frame. This is really a rather routine and economical repair. I would have no problem buying a salvaged 1125. If it looks good, it probably is. |
