Blackbird Write Off

[The Stranger:Me]

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??

[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...

[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:Me]

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.

[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:Me]

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.

[The Stranger:Me]

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?