Accident damage questions, help pls guru's?

Looking at the lower steering stem bracket vs the triple tree at the top. it's obvious the lower bracket is twisted. Does this bracket turn inside the frame neck where we can spin it back in place when we do repairs, or will it possibly need replaced?

I would have a shop answer this question, and give us a list of everything that needs replaced, but the lady who backed over my bike has some cut rate insurance that's sending out an "appraiser" instead of having me take my bike to a shop. So I want to be prepared to tell them everything that might need replaced, especially since we'll be doing the repair work.

So far, here's what I think needs replaced:

Left and right front fork assemblies
Fender
Tire
Associated hardware for everything above

Possibly needs replaced, can't really tell in situ:

Front wheel rim
Front brake rotor
Front wheel axle
Lower steering stem bracket
Triple tree clamp
Associated hardware for everything above

Anything else I might be missing? Any help would be very much appreciated, and I can take more pictures of anything that might help upon request.

Here's more pictures of the damage:











Want to cry, we've put so much love and time and effort (and $..) into my baby... And this stupid insurance company is taking absolutely forever to get anything done. They just today put in a request for the appraiser to come out, and I haven't even talked to the adjuster that's working my claim yet. Always get her voice mail. Apparently they can't get a hold of their own client to give her statement, either.. :bangs head against wall:

 

First of all, nice looking bike! The good news is that's all fixable, bad news is the insurance process will suck and most likely result in a totaled verdict due to the age cost of shop repairs. Don't let that get you down, this is a fairly easy repair if you've got a little wrenching experience and patience.

The front forks are most likely rebuild able. Every one I've seen the upper tubes take the bulk of the force and bend at the lower triple clamp due to leverage. You'll want to inspect the lower aluminum housings for cracks etc but they are most likely okay. Good time to throw in a rebuild kit if you haven;t already (looks like new dust seals up top). I have one good upper tube if you need one. Hard to tell in pics, but the left one might be straight still. Looks like it twisted to the right on impact.

I would doubt the wheel, axle, and rotor were damaged. You can check for run out once removed. Fenders are easy to find new and used. The triple clamps are probably fine too, will just need to loosen everything up when you install the forks again. Once installed, bounce the front a few times and sung everything down to factory torque specs.

Good luck and keep us posted!

 

Thanks for your reply and compliment! We've put a lot of work into my bike.

I definitely anticipate the insurance company low balling the value. I've found everything I can to help prove the value is more than the cost of the repairs, like printing out the $1700+ worth of receipts for the parts we've put into the restoration, NADA, Hagerty's, and Blue Book values, Craigslist and eBay sales. We did all the work ourselves, so no shop labor costs, and yup we've rebuilt the front forks with Chacal's performance kit

I got this bike in original condition, with 6,454 miles, from the original owner. He gave me everything it came with off the showroom floor, and I even kept a copy of the original title. I made copies of everything to give to the appraiser, too. I'm hoping with this stuff, and the receipts from the restoration that will all help with the value.

The right fork upper tube is definitely bent, and one of the bolts for the fender got sheared off inside the lower fork tube. Can't tell if the left side is bent yet. If the uppers, fender, and a tire is all that need to be replaced, I'll be very happy, and hopefully the insurance company won't balk at paying for those.

I just got a call from the appraiser, they had my address listed as Florida instead of Indiana, and my bike as a 2012 instead of 1980 they're coming out next Thursday... ugh

 

Good for you, so many I know didn't and just took what the appraiser said and ended up with a little cash and a salvage title. Have two friends who just got rearended by a drunk underage uninsured idiot and they didn't even question the adjustor. They got about half of what they had documented into their Harleys. Most importantly they're fine but its stupid how much they lost out.

Well a 2012 Yamaha should be worth a little more, call them back and see if they'll settle for $2500 and to send a check

 

I don't understand why people do that, especially accepting a salvage title. (unless it's warranted, like for a bent frame) Goodbye, resale value..

I'm definitely not going to let some insurance company who's only goal is profit to assign a value to my bike that I don't agree with. I really don't think there's enough damage to justify them calling it a total loss, either.

Wish I'd have thought to try that before I corrected them! Lol

 

Ugh, I am not too savvy with insurance stuff; but would be inclined to ask for everything you listed including the "possible needs" list.

I sincerely hope things go your way with this, do your best to remain calm and professional with the appraiser. I only say this because chances are good that if I personally had to deal with someone who is trying to rip me off for the value of my bike and repairs - in short order I would most likely loose my patience and want to kick them in the teeth.

Sounds like you have things well documented, hopefully someone here has been down a similar path and can offer sage advice.

Best of luck!

 

That's the plan! Everything totals about $1500, I included every nut, bolt and washer just like an appraisal from a shop would. I'm hoping that's a small enough claim for them that they'll just pay it.

I don't have much experience with insurance claims, either. I got hit by a drunk when I was 16, barely damaged my K5 Blazer 4x4 at all. Took it to the most expensive body shop in town for an estimate, and the insurance company just paid it. I was shocked they paid out that much, honestly, that Blazer was a sad looking rust bucket! Ran like a raped ape though. Shoot, they even sent me a check for the amount a rental car would have cost since I couldn't actually rent a car at 16 years old. Took it to a buddy's brother's shop for the work and he hooked me up with an entire paint job, tinted windows, installed a stereo system for me, the works. Definitely wasn't a bad experience.

Thanks! I have tried my best not to be rude, I know it doesn't help. So far everyone I've talked to has been fairly pleasant, albeit incompetent! Lol.

And yeah I've learned over the years to keep EVERYTHING. Glad I have all those receipts to prove how thoroughly we've restored my bike, I'm sure that won't hurt. I never wanted to have to add them all up though! Ouch..

 

It sounds like you are doing so, but make sure you note any and all damage as a result of the accident. You might think something isn't a big deal, but after everything is said and done, you might find yourself walking up to your bike and focusing on something (like your pipes that have a few dings) every time, and regretting that it wasn't taken care of.

 

Good point, there's definitely a couple things I'm like 'meh' about now, but you're right it'll bother me later!

Like this:



No idea how that happened, but that bracket being bent like that will bother me eventually. That crash bar would definitely pad the insurance estimate, too. Hopefully we can bend that tab back no problem, but if not those bars are like $350 new!

 

Another sad picture



No idea how this happened, either!

 

Damn shame. I hope you get it sorted.

Gary H.

 

I hope your steering neck isn't twisted. You should check that before anything.

 

If they lowball you, mention the emotional stress it has put you through and that maybe you should talk to my Lawyer! And maybe they will change there tune

 

How would I check for that?

 

Removing the front end may be required for that.
Some bike shops have a tool for that. It's a long steel bar with 2 cones that fit into the steering head and from that alignment can be checked.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=moto...e=UTF-8&hl=en-ca&client=safari#scso=uid_0:213

 

How likely do you think it is that the neck twisted? When that lady backed into me, the plastic bumper went up and over the front end, basically sitting on top of the tire. I have a feeling if I even mention frame issues, the appraiser will total the bike instead of letting me take it to a shop.

I told them right off the bat that I wasn't comfortable with having an appraiser come to my house, that I wanted a mechanic with the proper tools to check everything, but they still scheduled an appraisal company to come out next week. Not thrilled with her insurance company..

 

Not likely that it's bent, just threw it out there just in case
I know you are worried about bent front end just covering any scenario . Would hate to see it all fixed just to find out frame not straight .

 

If all she did was back into you, I highly doubt the neck is twisted. I'm not convinced the fork is bent, either.....if yo loosen all blots for the triple tree top and bott, you can re-parallel the forks, then tighten it all back up. The one thing you'll HAVE to do ---take the front fender off. That is twisted, and the internal fork brace in it is also twisted. That will give you a real hard time trying to get the forks parallel. Toss that, and get a nice replacement. There's plenty on eBay........and here. Everything else is cosmetic.

If you're not sure how to re-parallel the forks, pm me and I'll write out a long description. I think I already did that not too long ago in another forum........and I think I put in quite a few pics.......I'll see if I can find that 9before someone else does---lol)

PS: for a bike that clean, PLEASE get an ignition Switch cover.....that looks awful with it missing.

Dave F

 

Here it is...... Scroll down a ways and you'll find it all:

http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/accident-damage-questions-help-pls-gurus.102349/#post-540595

 

Link is taking me right back to this thread.

And I do have an ignition switch cover, I took it off for the picture.

 

Yeah, me too..

 

Oops, my bad---

Here's the correct one.....

http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/dropped-bike-need-help.97887/#post-533434

 

The insurance is going to want to cut a check as quick as possible.
The claim stays open until the check gets cashed. You are not obligated to take it!
You can take the bike to whoever you wish to have additional estimates. 3 estimates preferred.

~Ghost

 

Thank you! I wish I didn't have to wait for damage estimates to try this!

 

I thought that's the way it worked. I was just kind of interested what their appraiser would say before I took it somewhere.

Since the appraiser isn't coming until Thursday, though, maybe I can get an estimate from a shop in the meantime.

 

Check the parallel - ness of the forks ASAP. If they're just out of parallel, re-adjust them. All the other parts are available right here in the forums for a lot less $ than what the insurance company will come up with and you won't run the risk of them "totaling" your bike

 

You can schedule your own appraisal and have a mechanic look at it. The insurance company apprasial is not the final word.

 

I'd offer to look at it but central NY is waaaay too far away. But, ask--maybe there is another Xj-guru near you.

 

Lol yeah, that's a little bit of a drive

I'm in like North Central Indiana, close to Kokomo.

I have a feeling this is what is going to happen regardless. When I talked to her insurance company on Friday, they said they still hadn't been able to get ahold of her for her statement. From what I can find, they won't pay anything towards
a claim without the insured's cooperation, and I'm betting she knows that.

Turns out there's no law or anything that you have to cooperate with an insurance claim, and that gives them cause to deny it. Like insurance isn't enough of a scam, have to have coverage to pay for potential damages in case of an accident, but don't actually have to do anything to make sure the damages get paid for...

I could file through my insurance, and they would go after her insurance for reimbursement, if I had comp & collision on my bike, buuttt... I don't.. So I'd have to take her to small claims court..

 

You might be able to get more, going that route......was a police report filed? Or do you have any statements and/or eyewitnesses?

Dave

 

Unfortunately this appears to have happened at an intersection with no DOT cameras, and no small businesses with cameras. Outside chance one of the houses at the intersection has a security camera that might have caputured the accident?

It is a sorry reflection on our society that it has become sooo difficult to have the RIGHT thing done with out red tape and political/ financial game playing. I sincerely hope things get settled smoothly and rapidly for you.

 

Police report filed, he listed her at fault (accident circumstances, her - unsafe backing, me - none) but he didn't give her a ticket. Bus driver saw everything but didn't stick around, even though I asked him to, and I didn't think to get the bus number until after he left. Officer listed him as a witness, but just as 'bus driver', no other information.


As for civil court, with my luck she's either one of those people who I'll never be able to find to serve her with a subpoena, or one of those people who doesn't work or put anything in their own name, so I'd never be able to collect on a judgment.

 

Yup, purely residential neighborhood, and the accident happened 10 days ago, so I doubt anyone with security cameras would still have the footage. I could kick myself because I didn't have my action cam on me that day. I was in a rush to get to the post office before they closed, and forgot it.

And thanks, I really hope so too. What a ridiculous loophole, should be a crime if you don't cooperate with a claim against you. Not only would her insurance get away with not paying the claim, she would get out of having a claim against her as well so her rates wouldn't go up/policy canceled or whatever.

 

Do you have an insurance company you deal with ask them to contact her insurance company. If you are insured it will be in there best interest to go after her. It's unfortunate that many states do not require Motorcyclists to have insurance like they do in Washington state for example. We have ICBC , provincial insurance no tags without insurance so easy to deal with a claim like yours .

 

I do carry insurance, it's required like any other vehicle in Indiana.

I don't carry comp & collision on my XJ though, otherwise I could file this claim through my insurance company, they'd pay, and then go after her insurance for reimbursement. But I don't have that option.

I'm a member of a state motorcycle rights organization, one of the benefits is access to legal services. I sent them an email with my questions about all this, hopefully they can give me some guidance.

 

Why is your neck so stiff and why do you get those headaches lately .
If their going to play, play hardball

 

and trouble getting out of your chair lower back pain....

 

Omg they don't want to go there! My back is TRASHED. Arthritis, degenerative disc disease with nerve impingement.. I already told them riding is physical and emotional therapy for me and I'm suffering every day without my bike. Didn't seem to phase them. I figure legal services might be interested in that though lol.

I just got an email from the insurance company that they've ordered a field appraisal, and I'll hear from them to schedule an appointment within 48 hours. Wtf I got that scheduled on Friday, appraiser is supposed to come on Thursday lol

 

that guy is going to try to total it with a low ball figure out of some book. i really doubt he's going to give more than it's worth.
go here and look up your bike and print out some of the higher price ones so you can have something that says it's worth more than his price
http://www.searchcraigslist.org/

 

Thank you! I did not know about this site, that's awesome. I just did like 3 states worth of Craigslist searches lol.

I also copied all the receipts for all the parts we've swapped, not accessories, like the windshield and saddlebags, just the restoration stuff. (which I never wanted to add up.. over $1700, ouch! ) and everything I got with the bike, because I got it from the original owner with 6,454 miles, with the owners manual, dealer sales documents folder, Yamaha owner's card, even the instruction tag that came on the security chain.



No way I'm taking low ball offers or letting them total it...

Before accident pic:

 

About the field appraisal, is there a local shop that you can meet at so there is a qualified mechanic on hand so that he can't BS you? And never take the first offer or even the second. Keeping in mind they will only be out for part of it depending on her deductible.
And you want it professionally estimated before you take any money !! That it to be taken apart and all damaged pieces are checked !!

 

Searchtempest is another one

 

The insurance company only needs to talk to the other person to verify the police report. The other drivers refusal to respond will be taken as a no contest claim.

Your Insurance agent should be able to help you even without comp. If they don't. They don't need your business for your other vehicles either. Once you get the bike repaired get an agreed value policy on the bike. This will set a limit where the bike can be considered a total.

The bus driver could be cited for leaving. It should be easy to track the bus driver down. If it was a school bus. The bus barn for the school district will know which driver was on the route that day. Even with public transit the driver can be found by what route, and time.

Do not wait for the field appraiser to get the other estimates. The more you arm yourself with information. The more honest the field appraiser will have to be. The field appraiser will likely accept the other estimates for the claim.

When I had storm damage to my roof a few years ago. The first insurance appraiser was so incompetent that he did not even bring a ladder to get on the roof to look with. The appraisal came back so ridiculously low that the deductible barely would have covered it. I then had 2 roofing companies give me estimates and sent those to the insurance company. They sent another appraiser out that fully agreed with the estimates to the point that the deductible was not a factor. I got a new roof and porch out of it.

~Ghost

 

I honestly only want enough money to fix what's broken, without totaling the bike out. I sourced all the new and NOS parts I listed in the OP, it all adds up to like $1500. It probably doesn't need all that stuff, either.

I want to wait for the appraiser because, if they agree to give me about what I listed without totaling the bike, I'd be happy to take that and call it done.

I'm worried if I got an estimate for any more than that they'll just total the bike, and I really don't think there's near enough damage for that. Nor do I want to give it up to a salvage company. They use Copart for salvage, and they auction off the totaled vehicles. I might get it back really cheap that way, or I might lose it to someone else. Either way with a salvage title.

I just want my bike rolling again..

 

I was thinking about what you said about her refusal being considered no contest, if I did have to take her to court, I have enough evidence to win a default judgment against her. So why would an insurance company need more evidence than a court of law? I took many pictures of both vehicles at the scene, including her plates, and she let me take a picture of her insurance card. How would I have that if it wasn't her? That, the police report, and the bus driver if needed should be plenty of evidence. (it was school bus so I could track him down. I was really surprised he left, technically he was involved so you're right he shouldn't have!)

I filed a complaint with the Indiana Dept of Insurance, I guess we'll see what they say about it. I'm hoping I won't need my insurance company's help, but I hope they would if I needed it. If not they would lose our business, and we have everything insured with them, house cars and bikes.

When I sourced parts, I found prices from multiple places for every part I could. It's not like there's a lot of choices for our old bikes, that any shop or dealer could source parts any cheaper. At least that's the way I see it, my estimate should be about as good as any unless I'm missing something.

And I had the exact same thing happen with a storm and my roof. Roofing company said I needed a new roof, appraiser said patch and a new vent cap. I had no idea how to fight them about it, got a check for about $300 after my deductible..

 

Appraiser verdict: total loss. He found damage we hadn't seen, a broken weld specifically. He did say that I don't have to give my bike to salvage though, the insurance would just give me a check for the value? He was very impressed with my bike, said he had one when he was younger and mine is in excellent condition. So we'll see what they determine the value is. As if it really matters, since her insurance has basically already denied my claim. Got this in the mail today:



Since they're specifically mentioning 'coverage issues' I've been researching uninsured motorist coverage. I don't have comp & collision but I do have uninsured motorist bodily injury and property damage. From what I've read if her insurance denies the claim based on her coverage, mine should pick up the claim. I'm sure there's some reason it won't work that way though.

Everyone assumes uninsured motorist covers hit and run accidents, right? A lady on another forum I'm on said her insurance wanted proof the driver that left the scene didn't have insurance, so ultimately the claim was denied because they had no way to find a driver that took off and no one could catch his plate number or anything.

What a scam insurance is, legally required to carry it but it seems they don't ever have to pay out.

I did find out though if I go the small claims route that her insurance would be responsible for paying the judgment, not her. So that's good, since it's looking like that's probably the best case scenario for this claim.

 

Some states allow a salvge or reconstructed title to be converted to a clean title following repairs and inspection (even if the vehicle was originally from another state).

 

Scam - you got that right.
Sad and sorry to hear that. Too bad, the appraiser seemed to be on your side (former XJ owner! )

 

Thanks, for what it's worth I'm not going to let it go. If I have to do small claims court, at least I know I'll actually get paid since her insurance has to pay the judgment.

And yeah the appraiser was awesome! He actually knew his way around a motorcycle, and since he had an xj that really helped, too. We'd missed the broken weld on the steering lock stop he found. When I handed him the CL ads I found, he said none of them are anywhere near as nice as mine, so not comparable. The examples I found (like 6 or so I think) were all $1800+. I'm definitely interested to see his valuation.

He also said he'd had the same issue with insurance after an accident, they couldn't get ahold of the other driver. Said after making enough threats they paid up, since they had the police and witness reports. But there were injuries involved in his case, so that may have made the difference.

 

Removed for now until claim is closed..