Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Alright peeps, a question for the bike-rebuilding savvy:

My buddy (who is an apprentice at a bike repair shop) has been looking to buy a fix-it-up bike cheap and then turn around and sell it for a lil' profit. He was thinking cruiser...but whilst browsing the classifieds I came upon an ad that I thought must be some sort of scam.

It's a 2004 CBR 600RR with low mileage for $3k. Hrm...fishy!

Anyways, I am intrigued so I call the guy just to inquire, asking "anything wrong with it?" He gives me a quick rundown. He bought the bike from the original owner with just over 500 miles on it. His buddy jumped on it and low-sided at 20 mph so the fairing is a little scratched up. He said that the problem with it though was that when the bike slid a bolt (somewhere...) got caught in the asphalt and was ripped out and oil was leaking. The insurance company freaked and (I can't remember the details) it somehow ended up with a salvage title. He replaced the seal, put a new bolt in, and says the bike is running fine. He said that since he replaced that he's put 1,000 miles on the bike with no problems at all. The frame/swingarm were not bent at all, so the only problems (he claims) are the scratched up fairings and the salvage title.

So, my question is this: how difficult would it be to get it examined and switched over to a rebuild title? How much would we be paying?

I wish I could remember where the bolt was pulled from, but what other potential problems could a bolt pull --> leaking oil cause? Anything we should be weary of?

Is this worth checking into?

Thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Something's not right here...the insurance company declared it a loss because a bolt was missing, this guy replaced a bolt and now the bike is working fine...so the insurance company paid out to a bike that really wasn't broken?

If he doesn't know what bolt came out during the crash, how could he replace that same bolt himself?

Sounds jaded on what's actually going on. I would think you'd need to get a physical gander at this thing before proceeding.

No, he knows what bolt it was that came out. I just can't remember off the top of my head (I was outside walking with no pad or paper). And we would DEFINATELY take a look at the bike before even considering purchasing it! But if it checked out, how easy is it to get a rebuild title?

I'm not sure of all the details about the title either. It does seem odd to me too though. Why would an insurance company (one who more than likely deals alot with bikes) call it a salvage over a little oil?

I think your best bet is to check with your state authorities to get specific laws on how motorcycles get on the Salvaged status. I know it's really easy on cars. A bumper replacement can be considered "Salvaged" under California laws.

an undamaged stolen bike with a title from a wreck is more likely the answer here. restamping serials is easy....buy it and dont feel guilty...unless you know someone who has had one stolen lately...then let them ride so you wont feel bad.

An undamaged stolen bike that they're advertising in the largest circulated paper in Alabama? Seems foolish to me...

People do that stuff all the time. That's why any of them get caught.

I don't know if there is anything in the states but in Canada for any private sale the seller is suppose to provide a Used Vehicle Information Package from the ministry (cost $20) that will show all the previous owners and it shows if and why the vehicle/motorcycle was written off by any insurance companies.

Don't know if this helps but in thought I would try to help a little bit!!!!

Keep on ridin!!

In the US, that 'package' isn't required to be provided by the seller for anything. It is the buyer's responsibility to run the vin report if they want to know anything = caveat emptor. And even then, not all history of the bike i reported anyway.

I ran the vin on my truck once and it was spic and span - nevermind all the 'history' I gave it it 8 years ....and yes, I updated it.