Let the Makeover Begin

[BigBSBusa]

Okay, just a quick update. Got a call from Patty at Smithers' Customs today about the inspection they did to the bike. List of things needing repair:

Front Fender
Upper Cowling
Right Lower Fairing
Left Lower Fairing
Fuel Tank
Tail Section
Inner Panels
Mirrors
Fairing Stay
Swingarm
Front Wheel
Rear Wheel
Right Exhaust Can
Frame Sliders
Clutch Slave Cylinder
Front Brake Lever
Bar Ends

and some miscellaneous other parts.

They are still working up the price quote, but it's pretty obvious it will be expensive. Here's the question, do I let them total her out and buy her back (she's not paid for until next summer)? If I do that, do I make her over or part her out? Or do I take the payoff and get in line for an '08/'09?

I really don't want her to be totalled because of all that has been done to her. She's a great bike and I had plans to do some new mods to her this winter.

I turn to you, my Busamates, to help me decide.

 

[BusaWhipped]

If you have it totaled and buy her back, she will have a salvage title. Most of that list is cosmetic. I'd search around for deals on body pannels and anything else not structural. If they don't all match, excellent reason for some custom paint

 

[heavybusa]

Keep it man. For the price of the new one this Baby J will be MONSTER J

 

[BigBSBusa]

If you have it totaled and buy her back, she will have a salvage title.  Most of that list is cosmetic.  I'd search around for deals on body pannels and anything else not structural.  If they don't all match, excellent reason for some custom paint

It is very much cosmetic. I know it could be fixed up for less than the quote which is what I think I would like to do.

 

[BigBSBusa]

Keep it man. For the price of the new one this Baby J will be MONSTER J

Good point!

I also haven't convinced myself I could live with the backend of the new one.

 

[heavybusa]

Keep it man. For the price of the new one this Baby J will be MONSTER J

Good point!

I also haven't convinced myself I could live with the backend of the new one.

Plus you could re-coup some of the parts as painters and repairs.

 

[Mr Bogus]

You are the only one that can decide to buy a new one... I guess it depends on your "attachement" to the bike..

If it was mine? depends on what the Ins company was going to give me.. I would lean towards keeping the thing as I do not like buying the first model year of anything.. year 2 or 3 I feel a bit more secure I guess... I would not want any salvage title on the bike however, makes getting rid of it later a real problem...

Either way, I doubt you can go bad, its a BusA

 

[BigBSBusa]

Keep it man. For the price of the new one this Baby J will be MONSTER J

Good point!

 I also haven't convinced myself I could live with the backend of the new one.

Plus you could re-coup some of the parts as painters and repairs.

Like I said, that was my original plan just started thinking about things.

 

[BigBSBusa]

You are the only one that can decide to buy a new one...  I guess it depends on your "attachement" to the bike..

If it was mine? depends on what the Ins company was going to give me..  I would lean towards keeping the thing as I do not like buying the first model year of anything.. year 2 or 3 I feel a bit more secure I guess...  I would not want any salvage title on the bike however, makes getting rid of it later a real problem...

Either way, I doubt you can go bad, its a BusA

Again, things I have already thought of. Don't like the salvage title things either, but never envisioned selling her anyway.

 

[GSXcite]

Ken, if you keep it and decide to sell her later, I doubt that a salvage title will hurt the value of the bike a great deal. One consideration though would be what kind of insurance you could aquire for it. Can you insure a salvage title bike for replacement value in case of theft?

 

[BigBSBusa]

Ken, if you keep it and decide to sell her later, I doubt that a salvage title will hurt the value of the bike a great deal. One consideration though would be what kind of insurance you could aquire for it. Can you insure a salvage title bike for replacement value in case of theft?

Now that's a point I had not thought of? Guess I'll have to ask the insurance company.

 

[Rhythm]

Mind blowing decisions,Playa.

Personally I would take all my aftermarket parts off to sell and let the insurance company have it. Depending on what side of town you live on will determine the bike worth when the underwriter total it all up. That can go either way!

 

[kennym4]

When I got my bike back from being stolen it had mostly all cosmetic damages, all the plastics had some scratches, but VERY hard to see. The ins. company wanted to total it, and I couldn't believe it. I only had the bike for 2 months, and I liked having the 06 LE. (wasn't sure I'd be able to find another new one) I asked the adjuster what he could do for me as far as not totaling it. He said he could give me a check for $5,500.00, (because they sold the totaled ones to some guy for $6,000.00), and I could do what I wanted with the money. I asked him how this claim would effect my monthly payments, and he told me "it shouldn't do hardley anything to what you pay".......WRONG !!! I was paying a down deposite of $400.00, then $170.00 for the next 11 months. 3 months ago I started a new year, and almost passed out when I saw the bill !!!! $900.00 deposite, then $299.00 a month, for the next 11 months.

 

[kawiboy11]

She's in good hands, doctor Smithers that is!

 

[solarbarack]

I'd keep it. The ins co. usually let you buy it back cheap. You can always use extra parts, and if you part out the bike you should be able to make a few bucks.

 

[BigBSBusa]

Mind blowing decisions,Playa.

 Personally I would take all my aftermarket parts off to sell and let the insurance company have it. Depending on what side of town you live on will determine the bike worth when the underwriter total it all up. That can go either way!

That thought is going through my mind also, Ty.

 

[BigBSBusa]

When I got my bike back from being stolen it had mostly all cosmetic damages, all the plastics had some scratches, but VERY hard to see. The ins. company wanted to total it, and I couldn't believe it. I only had the bike for 2 months, and I liked having the 06 LE. (wasn't sure I'd be able to find another new one) I asked the adjuster what he could do for me as far as not totaling it. He said he could give me a check for $5,500.00, (because they sold the totaled ones to some guy for $6,000.00), and I could do what I wanted with the money. I asked him how this claim would effect my monthly payments, and he told me "it shouldn't do hardley anything to what you pay".......WRONG !!! I was paying a down deposite of $400.00, then $170.00 for the next 11 months. 3 months ago I started a new year, and almost passed out when I saw the bill !!!! $900.00 deposite, then $299.00 a month, for the next 11 months.

Yikes!

 

[BigBSBusa]

She's in good hands, doctor Smithers that is!

I know that's right, Cody.

 

[BigBSBusa]

I'd keep it. The ins co. usually let you buy it back cheap.  You can always use extra parts, and if you part out the bike you should be able to make a few bucks.

Very true.

 

[VaBusa]

Keep Baby J and bring her back stronger than ever...cosmetics can be fixed easily enough...