Is Repair Worth It

[majicmaker]

Here's a less expensive option. Make it an FJR1300N

I have always found folks on this forum are a generous bunch. I expect once this post is up for a couple days you will have quite a few offers of help.

I'm sure there's some folks in your area on this forum that would lend a hand. :clapping: Let's get the word out. :clapping:

Do a little horse trading and borrow someones pickup and bike ramp to get her to CT.

In the meantime take some pics of the damage so we can assess what you might need. Once you have an idea I would start a new thread asking for what you need.

FJR people are pretty good about taking care of their own.

This sounds like a Most Excellent Plan!! This is Doable! I can't imagine all that happening on a riding course. Let's help this Man Out! :clapping:

 

[TripperMike]

Now here's a fine example of a good ol' barn raising, sorta speak.

The way this thread is headed rgross, this will only enrichen your passion for riding.

I'm thinking there's quite a few of us wishing we lived closer.

 

[03HiYoSilver]

...It seems the forks are bent, and all plastics ruined, and windshield mechanism all crushed in. The dealer says it will cost approximately $8k to repair. I did not have comprehensive insurance, so no help there. ...Robert

Sorry to hear about your situation. Have you had a chance to ride it since the accident? This way you may be able to verify if the Fork Tubes are bent.

Otherwise, you should be able to ride it as long as you have some Headlights & Signals. If you can get past looking at cosmetics, you at least have a bike and the bike (you know it) is most valuable to you.

It would also help if you could Upload some pictures... it may not be as bad as you think.

Comprehensive Insurance would Not have helped you anyway...you would have needed the Collision portion and from what I have heard, does not apply to track use.

https://www.colorrite.com/

 

[garyahouse]

It's easy for all of us to make GOOD suggestions, but here's some things to consider if you plan to part it out.

First, as you said, you've never worked on a bike before. Does that mean $$ for tools? How's your mechanical ability? It takes longer to do things if you've never wrenched before.

A big part of the decision to tear it down and sell it for parts: will you enjoy the challenge?

Will you need to buy or borrow the tools necessary to get the bike apart? Many of us have a garage full of tools. I'm guessing you don't. Things like a 36mm socket for the steering stem nut and a 17mm allen wrench for the front axle (to name a couple) are not cheap nor common.

We assume you'll be doing this alone, so do you have the desire/time/tools/patience/persistence to tackle something like this and see it through to the end?

Do you have a place you can do this? Is there room enough to put these parts while you're tearing it down? Will this mess be cluttering up a garage for ever thus causing issues for you or a family?

Is help available? The most important part of the bike is the engine. Getting it out is no easy task for a couple of seasoned mechanics... it's HEAVY...

Do you mind the process of working the internet, negotiating prices, packing things up, traveling back and forth from USPS or the post office?

Is the time/energy/stress of this project going to affect the family or the job or other responsibilities?

Do you usually finish what you start?

I'm just asking a few rhetorical questions to maybe jog your thinking as you requested... no answers required.

It is likely that if you make a thousand or two over and above the salvage value, you will earn it.

Do you have a price from a salvage yard to compare to the possible profit from parting it out?

Perhaps you can post that figure so the forum can give you a guesstimate of what you might hope for in parting it out.

Hope I don't sound negative here. Just a few things to consider.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[Patriot]

If you can get the bike here to me in CT in a day I can have it apart and give you an estimate to put it back together. I would do it for dinner and you can help. I have taken mine down the frame twice, replaced the throttle bodies and rebuild the started which is under the throttle bodies. I have also rebuilt the front forks. So if ou had a truck and can haul it we could put it together or you could leave with the good parts to sell and scrap the rest. PM me if you are interested.

WOW! That is a really amazing offer. This is the first time I wish I had a way to tow my bike (besides the accident)....

U-haul is your friend

 

[steve'o']

Wow, I think you now have your answer. DJB is willing to help, and at the same time, if you are like me, and need to be educated on your bike, the parts, and how things work, bingo. Take a vacation day and take advantage of the offer. Seems like a win win to me.

 

[user 18638]

This loss would almost certainly be covered under the collision coverage of your policy. You say you did not carry comprehensive coverage but did you carry collision?

 

[Larry33319]

This loss would almost certainly be covered under the collision coverage of your policy. You say you did not carry comprehensive coverage but did you carry collision?

I was thinking the same thing. Because the training course is NOT a timed event, your insurance should cover it if you have collision. The same rules apply to damages that occur during a track day. As long as it is not a timed event, it would be considered training and covered.

 

[Kevin_Ireland]

I think DJBs offer is excellent! He deserves more +'s than I can give. If you decide not to go that route, then I'd part it out and not sell it for only $2k. Think about it for a minute. The engine alone will net your at least a grand. If you side bags are in good order you are talking between $300-400 a piece for them. The tank if not dented would get you a few hundred more. After that if you add up everything else you are well over $2k.

 

[allrider]

Does anyone do a tech day in or around NJ? That would be a good group to get in touch with.

 

[blassoff]

I like the u-haul and 2x12 ramp idea and haul her to CT. You're in North Jersey, it can't be a super long ride.

If I had the time, I'd run up with my trailer and ramp. If you part it, 2k is possible. Talk to a salver (salvage yard operator) see what they'll offer you. I wish I had free-time, I'd at least come to take a look at it to see if it was worth fixing.

Hopefully someone more local then I will chime in.

Good luck.

Baz

 

[rgross98]

...It seems the forks are bent, and all plastics ruined, and windshield mechanism all crushed in. The dealer says it will cost approximately $8k to repair. I did not have comprehensive insurance, so no help there. ...Robert

Sorry to hear about your situation. Have you had a chance to ride it since the accident? This way you may be able to verify if the Fork Tubes are bent.

Otherwise, you should be able to ride it as long as you have some Headlights & Signals. If you can get past looking at cosmetics, you at least have a bike and the bike (you know it) is most valuable to you.

It would also help if you could Upload some pictures... it may not be as bad as you think.

Comprehensive Insurance would Not have helped you anyway...you would have needed the Collision portion and from what I have heard, does not apply to track use.

https://www.colorrite.com/

The bike is at the dealer still. I have to pay again to get it back home(hopefully the dealer will be nice enough to drop off for free). The dealer did not pull it apart yet, but they did not say frame damage. The bike is not rideable because there is plastic blocking the forks, which can be removed, but the forks look unsafe because the tire is extremely close to the bottom fairing/radiator area.

It was not exactly a track day, it was more of a training course. But, I only have street legal liability coverage (still cost about $400/yr)

 

[rgross98]

It's easy for all of us to make GOOD suggestions, but here's some things to consider if you plan to part it out.

First, as you said, you've never worked on a bike before. Does that mean $$ for tools? How's your mechanical ability? It takes longer to do things if you've never wrenched before.

A big part of the decision to tear it down and sell it for parts: will you enjoy the challenge?

Will you need to buy or borrow the tools necessary to get the bike apart? Many of us have a garage full of tools. I'm guessing you don't. Things like a 36mm socket for the steering stem nut and a 17mm allen wrench for the front axle (to name a couple) are not cheap nor common.

We assume you'll be doing this alone, so do you have the desire/time/tools/patience/persistence to tackle something like this and see it through to the end?

Do you have a place you can do this? Is there room enough to put these parts while you're tearing it down? Will this mess be cluttering up a garage for ever thus causing issues for you or a family?

Is help available? The most important part of the bike is the engine. Getting it out is no easy task for a couple of seasoned mechanics... it's HEAVY...

Do you mind the process of working the internet, negotiating prices, packing things up, traveling back and forth from USPS or the post office?

Is the time/energy/stress of this project going to affect the family or the job or other responsibilities?

Do you usually finish what you start?

I'm just asking a few rhetorical questions to maybe jog your thinking as you requested... no answers required.

It is likely that if you make a thousand or two over and above the salvage value, you will earn it.

Do you have a price from a salvage yard to compare to the possible profit from parting it out?

Perhaps you can post that figure so the forum can give you a guesstimate of what you might hope for in parting it out.

Hope I don't sound negative here. Just a few things to consider.

Gary

darksider #44

WOW, those are great points for me to consider.... Thanks you so much for thinking it through with details I didn't even know or think of myself.

You are correct that I have no experience working on mechanical things. I also will be doing this alone, and I work 12hr days mon-Fri and have 2 small children to watch all weekend as my wife works weekends. I do not own tools, only a small sears socket set for basic things like building simple things you buy at the store and have to put together when you get home. My wife would not appreciate me taking up the garage for very long either. I also don't know anyone with tools or even a pickup truck. I don't really have more than 1 friend, and my dad is too old/sick to help me with big tasks anymore. So this is starting to look more difficult, expensive, and time consuming.....

I need to find a local salvage yard and get a quote. That will help determine if all the time and aggravation will be worth it. If I won't make too much extra, it might not be a smart undertaking.

It's starting to feel like my only option to part out would be if someone local volunteered their own time to help me and use their tools. Or if I can get my friend to agree to take a whole day and go with me using a rental truck and trailer to go to DJB's and the three of us try to tear down and remove motor and frame in 1 day and return to nj and help me unload truck too. Then I will have to figure out a way to ship the heavy parts to who ever is willing to pay/win auctions.

Honestly, I am starting to feel a little overwhelmed :-(

 

[Geezer]

Honestly, I am starting to feel a little overwhelmed :-(

The first thing you need to do is get it back from the dealer so they don't start charging storage fees. After that you have plenty of time to determine what will be the best way to recover as much as possible. If you make a decision while you are feeling overwhelmed then you are likely to not make the best decision.

 

[madmike2]

It's easy for all of us to make GOOD suggestions, but here's some things to consider if you plan to part it out.

<snippage>

Gary

darksider #44

WOW, those are great points for me to consider.... Thanks you so much for thinking it through with details I didn't even know or think of myself.

<snippage>

Honestly, I am starting to feel a little overwhelmed :-(

When I saw your opening post I had the same thoughts that Gary posted.

Some of us are comfortable working on our bikes and have the space in our garage to do so. Others...not so much.

Have you considered DJB's offer in post #13?

If nothing else, you would be better informed as to what it would cost to make the bike "rideable", if not pristine.

Trimming away broken plastic (like lower fairing pieces) could leave you a super-size FZ. The "front stay" is certainly bent and that could prevent the windshield from operating....and that IS an expensive piece of metal (like $300+).

Of course, we are offering "blind" advice because we can't SEE the bike.

There have been others who, having mechanical or damage issues beyond their ability, decided to sell their FJR. Circumstances sometimes dictate taking the initial loss and planning for the future replacement. There is no bad decision as everyone of us comes from a different perspective based on our personal ability, time & space, willingness, etc.

Good luck in whatever plan of action you take.

 

[TomInPA]

I want to emphasize that your wrecked bike has a lot of residual value, but turning it over to a salvage guy will give you very minimal return. That kind of buyer lives on buying cheap, and telling you your bike is nearly worthless. Just a sample of the value, is the engine, transmission, throttle bodies/injection system, drive, wheels, frame components, ABS brake systems, lights, seats, side covers, suspension...there are dozens of parts that have value, and it can really add up.

A local forum member here "James Burleigh" had a trashed transmissions and engine on his 2005 FJR, and turned the bike over to another forum member Hycle, to salvage and sell. You seem to have a similar offer from a forum member near you. The best thing to do is to get the damaged parts stripped away so you know what you're dealing with, then move on from there. I think there is more willing help out there than you know. Good luck to you, and sorry this happened.

 

[FJRMGM]

I want to emphasize that your wrecked bike has a lot of residual value, but turning it over to a salvage guy will give you very minimal return. That kind of buyer lives on buying cheap, and telling you your bike is nearly worthless. Just a sample of the value, is the engine, transmission, throttle bodies/injection system, drive, wheels, frame components, ABS brake systems, lights, seats, side covers, suspension...there are dozens of parts that have value, and it can really add up.

A local forum member here "James Burleigh" had a trashed transmissions and engine on his 2005 FJR, and turned the bike over to another forum member Hycle, to salvage and sell. You seem to have a similar offer from a forum member near you. The best thing to do is to get the damaged parts stripped away so you know what you're dealing with, then move on from there. I think there is more willing help out there than you know. Good luck to you, and sorry this happened.

yeah, whut he said. Lots of guys on this forum, including me, see this as a perfect opportunity to "dig in" and help a fellow FJR owner in bad times and to have fun taking something apart. :yahoo:

The good thing is, taking things APART is a lot easier/faster than re-assembly, which you won't have to do. If you do take it apart, I would suggest using the plastic baggie method of keeping bolts, screws, etc that go with a particular assembly together so they can be included in the sale.

Hell, for that matter, all those little plastic fastners and screws cost a FORTUNE if you buy them individually and are worth money here.

 

[Nitro]

Sounds like its toast to me man. I would thank her for faithfull service and let her go. :cray:

 

[rgross98]

If you can get the bike here to me in CT in a day I can have it apart and give you an estimate to put it back together. I would do it for dinner and you can help. I have taken mine down the frame twice, replaced the throttle bodies and rebuild the started which is under the throttle bodies. I have also rebuilt the front forks. So if ou had a truck and can haul it we could put it together or you could leave with the good parts to sell and scrap the rest. PM me if you are interested.

Update:

DJB is an outstanding person. He has helped me make a list of parts, he helped hook me up with his dealer and got me a LARGE discount, and is willing to help do whatever it takes to get my bike back on the road. It looks like we can do it for half of what the dealer wanted, that is if there are not too many surprises when we open it up. I am going to rent a Uhaul to get the bike up to his house, and I installed a hitch to my wife's suv. When the parts come in and we can setup a date, DJB is going to post up a kind of tech day so others who are interested can come and learn about front end disassembly/reassembly. We might also take pics and start a thread on the repair.

Thank you everyone for your help, information, and opinions. Given I will have bike that has been down (will be hard to sell) I will definitely be around for a long time, yeah! ;-)

 

[whataboutbob]

If you can get the bike here to me in CT in a day I can have it apart and give you an estimate to put it back together. I would do it for dinner and you can help. I have taken mine down the frame twice, replaced the throttle bodies and rebuild the started which is under the throttle bodies. I have also rebuilt the front forks. So if ou had a truck and can haul it we could put it together or you could leave with the good parts to sell and scrap the rest. PM me if you are interested.

Update:

DJB is an outstanding person. He has helped me make a list of parts, he helped hook me up with his dealer and got me a LARGE discount, and is willing to help do whatever it takes to get my bike back on the road. It looks like we can do it for half of what the dealer wanted, that is if there are not too many surprises when we open it up. I am going to rent a Uhaul to get the bike up to his house, and I installed a hitch to my wife's suv. When the parts come in and we can setup a date, DJB is going to post up a kind of tech day so others who are interested can come and learn about front end disassembly/reassembly. We might also take pics and start a thread on the repair.

Thank you everyone for your help, information, and opinions. Given I will have bike that has been down (will be hard to sell) I will definitely be around for a long time, yeah! ;-)

That shit right there is awesome.Bob