I just crashed my bike, and now I'm trying to figure out insurance. The highway bar took a heavy hit, and bent the flange coming off the frame (to bolt on the highway bars) People have told me this is "frame damage" and the insurance will total the bike because of this?? Also I've heard buying the bike back from the insurance w/ the salvage title is possible? Has anyone been through anything similar, or having any advice? Thanks for your help!!

Dean

 

Yes, that tab is a smoking gun that the bike has been damaged. HD shops are not allowed to bend the tab back to risk compromising the frame further. Rather, it is standard to replace the entire frame for any frame damage. I had the same situation with my previous bike where a truck backed into the bike bending the highway bar pretty bad and consequently bending the frame tab you are talking about. It didn't total the bike, but I ended up taking the insurance check and selling it as-is.

You could buy the bike back from the insurance company, as they are essentially "buying" the bike from you for the market value. They will most likely turn around and sell the bike to a wholesaler that will either fix it up or sell it as is. If you can't part with your bike, I would buy it back and find a shop willing to repair the frame tab along with any other repairs you require. Some HD shops will, some won't. After repairing the bike you can get a rebuilt title for the bike if it passes inspection.

Sorry to hear about your ride - hopefully you get it worked out.

 

I don't know about the tab, but my bike was totalled by the insurance company ('07 Road King). I had a lot of expensive mods and dress up items on it so I asked about buying it back. The guy wanted $17000 so I told them to enjoy it. He also said they just fix them up and sometimes sell over seas where they will get the money for it. Oh well, I guess they need to stay rich.

 

I have heard this a 1000 times if your HD falls over it is totaled.If that was so you could not buy insurance on it.
Remember the one about it you break the jiffy stand off it is totaled. Not true.
First get it looked at by a qualified dealer.
Second salvage titles are about worthless ends up with a lot of cost and a bike you can only sell to a fool.
If it is totaled and they pay you then buy your next ride and be happy.
It amazes me how how some will think the can buy it back for nothing after being paid and double the money on an insurance claim.
Then in the next breath complain about the cost of insurance.

 

It's totaled, and the MOCO does not reissue new frames for insurance repairs.. It's a loss.. Just went through this 2 weeks abo with my Cousin. crash bar ripped off that tab. The guy didnt look any farther.. It was totalled.

I wouldnt ride it now anyway with out a new frame.. Dont assume that is the only damage. We replace my buddies Fatboy frame 2 years after a minor accident cause the frame was bent and the HD trained mechanics did see it.

Any frame damae would make me replace it, unless you have a locl guy with a frame jig to re true it all. If not it's not worth it.

 

Yes, they do. The damages on my previous bike did not total it, and the shop was going to do a full frame replacement. They order the frame from the factory stamped with the identical VIN number. I opted to take the insurance check and sell it as-is because I was afraid of reassembly issues, and I stood to make some money on the sale.

 

>>It's totaled, and the MOCO does not reissue new frames for insurance repairs..<<

This is total BS and BAD info. HD does replace frames with original VIN # the old neck is cut off with a torch and sent back to Harley, we do it all the time.

Mark

 

It can be staightened, but if it is torn, it cannot be welded.Most times the issue is the powder coat, it can't be repaired to original condition. You would have to dis-assemble the bike, fix the tab, re-powder coat, re-assemble... It would simply be cheaper to replace the frame.

Mark

 

A frame replacement runs about $2000 for the frame itself and 25 hours to R&R all the pieces / parts.

That cost plus replacing the other damaged stuff can easily total even a relatively newer bike.

The insurance company would rather total a bike than face a liability issue about a damaged/repaired frame years down the road.

 

i worked on bikes and with crash estimates for 13 years. if the tab is bent or there is any damage to the frame, 9 times out of 10 it will be totaled. sometimes if the bike is only a year old, or some special way over priced model, it is cheaper to replace the frame. even then, it just barley gets by.they never repair anything on a motorcycle, only new parts. the frame costs $2200-2600, maybe more sometimes. plus 12-20+hours of labor and what ever else is wrong.. theoretically, scratched paint on the frame can total a bike out, because they don't repair parts. the tab being bent does not hurt a thing. it is even easier to fix then it was to damage. two hammers, it straitens rite up. that part has nothing to do with frame strength, its just there to mount the crash bar.. if you buy the bike back and fix it your self, you can pocket some good money, but that covers the depreciation of having a salvage bike...
my bike, has a salvage title. it is a 01 EGC. i bought it 4 years ago for $4300. after repairs,i had about $5k into a bike that would of cost around $10k at the time. i could still get $6-8k out of it now pretty easily. but i don't ever plan on selling it, so all i care is the title says i can put license plates on the bike.. a lot of times if you buy a vehicle back from the insurance company, they just write you a check for the difference. the title never even changes hands or status..
to get a salvage/rebuildable title changed into a rebuilt title, you just have to fix everything, keep recipts, then get it inspected at a highway patrol station, and pay a fee. i think it is $100 in ohio.. but watch out, in some states the vehicle has to be fixed by a licensed repair shop, and in some states salvage means it can never be used on the road again,parts only. there is always ways around it. you could build a bike from scratch, using most of the parts from the wrecked bike. if you need receipts for parts you put on. just don't say you put them on. as far as anyone knows,it fell over in the grass,only damage was that tab bent and you straitened it. bike is good as new. and it is all legit. it sounds like you ripping someone off, but that is just the way it works. the ins company makes lots of money, they are just covering your loss. if you can fix the bike your self? good for you. they covered their butt. if they buy a new bike, or you buy it back and they just pay the difference,they are paying the same amount. what do they care. actually they are making a better deal. it costs them to pick it up store it, and auction it off, even then is a crap shoot what they make on it. with you keeping it, they settle immediately and its done.