Blackbird Write Off

[The Stranger]

What just happened?
I just now looked at the quote for the repair of the Blackbird and saw things like replace seat and straighten forks. I say to myself WTF there was nothing wrong with these items.

I look at their photos enclosed with the quote and sure enough a blind man can see the bend in the forks and the subframe and seat are twisted to hell.

I think that's odd, I never noticed that. I go back to my photos taken on the day and the forks look straight and the seat and subframe are straight, so it looks like the $15,000 repair bill is to be expected.

But something happened to the bike between the salvage yard and Cyclespot.

[Toast]

Damn mate, that sounds REAL shady...I guess I'd be producing copies of the photos you have and asking for an explanation...

after that though, I doubt that anything can be done. Your insurance company would certainly find it curious though, I'm sure.

[SixPackBack]

Dodgy as hell CaN, hell I would be ringing both the cops and the insurance company, particularly in view of the photographic evidence.
Wise to remember if what you say is true a serious crime costing YOU money has been committed.

[Patch]

Photo's . . . . . where??

:wait:

[Zapf]

wow... doggy stuff... interesting how Cycle spot gets a few mentions over the last year or so...

[erik]

Would be really interesting if you could post those photos... :yes:

[sunhuntin]

could it possibly be an identical bike, but not yours? definatly get it looked into if it is your bike. theres somethin not right there.

[Roadrash]

Hi mate, same thing happened to me a few years ago 3 monthys after my bike was taken out by a car i ring the insurance company for the millionth time and they tell me the forks are still being straightened but the tanks been fixed, i'm like WTF it only damaged the r/hand fairing at low speed after a car blew a giver way, sure enough he had been putting heaps of other jobs through on that claim number, i'd just pass copies of the photos on to your insurace company, theye're the ones that got ripped let them handle it, but they may not care

[Toast]

could it possibly be an identical bike, but not yours? definatly get it looked into if it is your bike. theres somethin not right there.

That's what I was thinking at first...or maybe they swapped in some shit parts for the good parts...i.e. take the good forks and stick some bent ones in...

It would be kinda unlikely that they had a sam sorta bike lying around for just such an occasion, but as soon as the 'C' word was mentioned, nothing's really going to surprise me...

[The Stranger]

It's my bike alright.
Will post photos tomorrow when I get to work if I can pull theirs out of the 3.5mb PDF.

I saw the bike and photographed it again the next day after the accident. It was still at the salvage yard in Warkworth at that stage. First thing i did when visiting the salvage yard the next day was check the forks, they looked fine and were free moving etc. The next thing was the muflers, cause I know they are expensive. They were marked and i thought S&*t, but I wiped them and andthe marks rubbed off.

I cant see damage in their photos, the definition is not good enough but they have allowed $2,200.00 for replacement of exhausts that I considered just fine.

In reality I feel it is a case of don't attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity. I believe it was probably carelessly dropped from the truck during transport between the salvage yard and Cyclespot. I don't imagine ther would be a more sinister explanation.

I was arguing with the assessor over the damage and sreiously considering buying it back. Damn pleased I didn't now.

[Motu]

It's up to the assessor to write it off,and he works for the insurance company,not the bike shop,and there are other reasons to write off a vehicle that may not be apparent to you.As you point out,if there is a difference in condition between when you saw it last,and then at the bike shop (have you seen the bike or just photos?) I'd be looking for transit damage.I think if there was a guy out the back smashing up the wrecks to make them look worse some word might get out about it,some good honest people work at bike shops too y'know....

[zadok]

I'll be interested to see how this pans out.:confused:

[Bulldog]

Isn't it a good thing that they're going to write off your bike and you can buy a newer one?

I agree it's kinda dodgy but I'd also say to you that you should consider removing the motorcycle shop's name from here as you're giving them a bad name (like others) without it being proven or fact.

I'd like proof before condemning this particular shop as I've had nothing but good service from them

[R6_kid]

dodgey, i remember seeing the pics of the crash and thinking it was just the front fairings and headlight (same as my accident)... check it out wise one, i sense a disturbance in the force. :sherlock:

[The Stranger]

Isn't it a good thing that they're going to write off your bike and you can buy a newer one?

I agree it's kinda dodgy but I'd also say to you that you should consider removing the motorcycle shop's name from here as you're giving them a bad name (like others) without it being proven or fact.

I'd like proof before condemning this particular shop as I've had nothing but good service from them

Um I have had favourable dealings with them too and wouldn't hesitate to deal with them tomorrow, or at least when I get the insurance money.

I don't quite see it the same way. I am simply stating fact and have also said (in different words) that I don't believe there is anything sinister. I have also said I believe it was dropped during transit and for the record I am told it was delivered to Cyclespot by the salvage company.

The reasons for the post are 1) to clarify why the repair for a relatively minor accident involving only plastic damage cost $15,000.00 and 2) to invite comment if there were any other logical explanations.

How have I condemned the shop?

[skidMark]

i don't see how just dropping the bike would bend the forks and subframe they aint that weak ive read all the posts in here and i still see something seriously wrong here if worse comes to worse take them to court if it all turns to shit mate...

i would expect with more damage maybe your premiums would go up or something stupid...knowing insurance companys lol ...

[Zapf]

if you know the shits that goes on in the car repair industry in NZ then what might have happened to CAN's bike is not suprising...

the plan would have been to put the claim thru as the rider / owner would not see the bike again. And the said person would get $$$/parts out of it.

In the IT world that would be called the "man in the middle attack"

[Motu]

So what things go on in the car industry? I've worked in with panelbeaters all my working life (35 yrs) and have never seen intentional damage done,even the Iranian guy next door doesn't ''create'' damage.I often do mechanical checks on stolen and recovered vehicles (2 yesterday) and often see transporter damage,but sometimes they have to drag them out of difficult situations,sometimes with wheels missing.

[Lou Girardin]

I fail to see how dropping the bike, say off a ramp, can bend the forks AND the subframe.
Either other parts have been swapped for good ones or it's had more than a drop.
I had a similar situation with my RF, the assessor included the cost of repairing bent forks and wheel when there was no need. A visit to the Ins company fixed that quickly. It seemed as if he wanted to right it off to have access to a cheap do-up.
If a right off is going to leave you worse financially, I'd start asking questions.
BTW. The cost of plastic bits is beyond reason. $12,000 on a Harley Ultra that went down one side and was still safe to ride!

[trev]

If someone is being careless transporting bikes or running a rort WE are paying for it. Ask some hard questions of your insurance company. I thought I read somewhere Quickchris (Christine) works for an insurance co.

[The Stranger]

Photo's . . . . . where??

:wait:
Photos from scene
Image40 – Seat ok, Exhaust intact, RHS Fork ok, Shadowing on top edge of RHS fork – Independent witness

Photos from Salvage yard
Image47 - Forks ok
Image49 – LHS Bars and end weights ok, Seat ok.
Image50 – RHS Bars and end weights ok.
Image60 – Not too clear, but sets the scene a bit, I was approaching the camera and went off the RHS of the photo. Shows the slight ridge before the corner that concealed the right hander and the crap on the outside of the bend. The bike left the road vertical as is evidenced by the single wheel track from road edge terminating just prior to the fence (not in view). The bike went through the fence (not posts) and came to rest not far on the other side. So there were no ditches, big humps or solid objects for it to hit.

Photos from Quote
Head – LHS fork appears bent.
Tail – Note rear cowl and seat angle about grab rail and fit of the cowl about the tail light.

The thing I am having trouble reconciling are
1) The bent forks.
2) The exhausts, they were marked, but the marks rubbed off.
3) The seat.
4) Handle bars.
5) Balance weights.

PS, didn't upload image 60 as I just realised there is a limit of 6.