1970 Commando Value - Help Please

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Greetings all,

My Commando was unfortunately involved in a traffic "incident" in Manhattan last week. It is called an incident, rather than an accident, because a minivan intentionally hit it - 3 times! To make a long story short, the driver of the car was cited and there were plenty of witnesses to what occurred. A lack of patience on a sweltering summer day led one irate minivan driver - stopped at a traffic light - to rear-end me. After the first tap, I immediately got off the bike and began to roll it forward so I could put it onto its center stand. As I was doing that, the driver tapped me - AGAIN! I repeated the above. He hit me a third time - except this final time he rammed me and knocked the bike out of my hands and onto its side.

Fortunately, the driver was apprehended and his insurance details obtained. Witnesses gave reports to the police. No issues with any of that.

My insurance company will easily recover any damages claims via his insurance company.

My Commando was certainly not flawless - but it was pretty darn close. It has had a range of work performed by Kenny Cummings at NYC Norton and we were just about out of things to do on this bike - cosmetically as well as mechanically. It is a beautiful, well running machine.

It still is. Except the contact with Essex street in lower Manhattan caused fuel to run out over my beautiful decals and pin-stripes - paint was not cleared - and break them loose. There are a couple of other minor scrapes and crimps but fortunately no dents to the tank.

The adjuster has just advised that he has determined the market value of my Commando to be $5600. My experience buying my bike - pre modifications by Kenny - along with staying very aware of market prices for these bikes - leads me to believe that it is entirely possible to buy a 1970 Commando for that amount of money. However the condition would not be particularly great (generally...i know this crowd knows how to find sweet deals!).

1970 Commando Value - Help Please


I promised the adjuster that I would send links to any references that underscore my contention that a fully-restored, near flawless 1970 Commando cannot be had for $5600.

If any Access Norton folks can send me some examples of this fact, I would be EXTREMELY grateful. It doesn't matter if they are outside of New York City.

Thanks so much!

Larry
 
My advice would be to go on Ebay and do a completed listings search for a 1970 Commando. Lots have been sold for more than that!
 
Larry, your bike is not considered totaled, right?

If not then why would it matter what replacement value would be? That does not seem to be the issue.

The other driver's insurance company is going to have to pay for all repairs to make it right again.
 
I agree.

Naturally, all insurance companies want to limit their exporsure. Therefore market value is a factor, notwithstanding the bike not being totalled.

The lower the designated value of the bike combined with the higher cost of repairs, allows the insurance company to establish a lower threshold for "totalling" the bike and hence, capping their payout to that amount. A higher market value therefore does not work in their favor.

(all of this is my personal theory, based on my limited past experience with insurance companies)
 
Last year I got an agreed value policy on my bike. I put together some examples of bikes from retail sources like Classic bike experience. Then I added the mods like a belt drive and all the rest of the things I've done to the bike. It might be better not to use Ebay or Craig's list because they are really unknowns at best and shipping has to be taken into account too.

http://www.classicbikeexperience.com/available_bikes
 
Show them the price of a CNW Norton, not some piece of junk.

Dave
69S
 
With complete records on your side, the "market value" and "book value" can mean nothing if you can comport yourself well before a reasonable judge. I would have every receipt I paid for everything on the bike, plus my original purchase receipt, and an affidavit of shop labor rate from a reputable shop to base all your shop time on. Any judge worth his robe would rule in your favor for 100% of what you can verify, plus possible punitive damages. I wouldn't "settle" for the insurance company's valuation unless it is higher than you are coming up with. No need to hire an attorney and waste money.
 
i would say repairs on the bike would be much less than $5600, so i would get estimates from good solid people you know, to repaint, repair, etc etc and have them total up to about $5500 lol. also look into insurance for you bike that covers what it's ACTUALLY worth. I know someone who built a custom truck, but had special "hot rod" insurance so they couldn't say the blue book on the truck is $2000 and rip him off when he spent more than that in taillights
 
kevbo82 said:
i would say repairs on the bike would be much less than $5600, so i would get estimates from good solid people you know, to repaint, repair, etc etc and have them total up to about $5500 lol. also look into insurance for you bike that covers what it's ACTUALLY worth. I know someone who built a custom truck, but had special "hot rod" insurance so they couldn't say the blue book on the truck is $2000 and rip him off when he spent more than that in taillights


That would not work with the numbers you are using. I think it depends on the state but I believe 70% is the magic number to consider a car totaled. Not sure if the same numbers apply to bikes. If the value of the bike is $5600 then $4200 in repair costs would make it totaled.

I had a car that was totaled but still drivable and safe. The total value was $3500 but they let me keep the car and gave me a check for $2900. I squeezed two more years out of that car. If they are in fact going to total it, you may want to ask them if you have that option.
 
On second thought, I would forget the insurance company. It sounds like you have a very good case for a civil suit. I don't know what the legalese is, but it sounds like the guy had intention to harm. I'd have myself at my lawyers office real quick, they will know how to proceed. Insurance companys don't want litigation, especially with what sounds like a pretty open and shut case. I think you should get your repairs, plus extra for aggravation. With a situation like that you should get more than just repairs.

I got rear ended at a stop once and the other guy's insurance gave me an extra $500 just for the aggravation.

Dave
69S
 
After the first tap, I would have dropped like a rock and rolled around screaming "Don't touch me, don't touch me. My legs, I can't feel my legs. Sweet Jesus, don't let me be paralysed."

That'll learn them. :mrgreen:
 
NADA has the following valuations for a 1970 Norton:
Excellent $9695
Very Good $5345
Good $3535
Fair $2590
Poor N/A

In your case I would suggest getting repair estimates from well-known shops in the classic bike community,
then submitting to your insurance agent to work with.

Hey, I've been hit by UN-insured drivers!
If a rider can walk away unscratched from an accident it's a good thing.
 
drones76 said:
kevbo82 said:
i would say repairs on the bike would be much less than $5600, so i would get estimates from good solid people you know, to repaint, repair, etc etc and have them total up to about $5500 lol. also look into insurance for you bike that covers what it's ACTUALLY worth. I know someone who built a custom truck, but had special "hot rod" insurance so they couldn't say the blue book on the truck is $2000 and rip him off when he spent more than that in taillights


That would not work with the numbers you are using. I think it depends on the state but I believe 70% is the magic number to consider a car totaled. Not sure if the same numbers apply to bikes. If the value of the bike is $5600 then $4200 in repair costs would make it totaled.

I had a car that was totaled but still drivable and safe. The total value was $3500 but they let me keep the car and gave me a check for $2900. I squeezed two more years out of that car. If they are in fact going to total it, you may want to ask them if you have that option.
i didn't know there was a magic number. Seems like every time i've dealt with an insurance company they just for whatever is cheaper, even if they're only saving $10
 
It's a little off topic, but did this deranged individual elaborate at all on why he attacked you? Is that your Captain America helmet? I had one back in the day and it did piss some people off...
 
All of this is superb advice, thanks everyone very much. It is a market value policy, not declared value. Declared value for collectible bikes were simply too restrictive of milage, use, etc. The policy is with Geico and I must say, the experience with them so far has been very good. They are on the case. There does not seem to be any pushback to the cost of putting the bike right. They know that the only shop I will allow to work on it is NYC Norton. Their adjuster has already been there and went through the bike with Kenny. It was when he phoned earlier today and told me his research led to the conclusion that the bike was worth $5700 that I blew the whistle.

The deranged lunatic was creeping along a clogged street in lower manhattan and had to merge ahead of upcoming construction. I was moving into the lane ahead of him, on his right side. Both of us were stopped by the car in front of us. When that car started moving forward, I easily/instantly moved into the lane and when the car ahead stopped, so did I. The guy behind me - clearly annoyed that I merged ahead of him - lightly tapped my rear wheel. Enough to feel my bike get knocked but not enough to knocked off it. I stopped, got off the bike and as I rolled it forward to give it space to come back on to its center stand, he tapped me again!

To say I was f*&%King livid is putting it gently.

I pulled the bike up once more and this time, he rammed me. The bike was pushed out of my hands and was laying on its side before I could even realize what was going on. The prick then tried pulling around my bike so he could drive off!

By now - and this is why I love New York! - a crowd of people who watched this unfold moved in front of the van to stop him from leaving while others summoned the police, who were there in two minutes.

All of it ended up in a 7th Precinct Police Report, with witness statements and contact info.

I didn't get hurt because I was off the bike when he hit it, holding the bars.

I never thought about the Captain America causing road rage...but anything is possible in this asylum!

thanks again!

Larry
 
Lazzamoto said:
I never thought about the Captain America causing road rage...but anything is possible in this asylum!

thanks again!

Larry
by the second time he hit me i think captain america would have caused a broken nose.
 
Lazzamoto said:
It still is. Except the contact with Essex street in lower Manhattan.........[/img]


Larry


I also had an accident on Essex st. right by the Market around 1990. Plenty of witness who wanted to claim they were on the bike with me for the insurance payout. Some people... :roll:

Anyway, take it over to 6th St and have Hugh give you an estimate.
 
FYI, I have an agreed value policy on all my bikes. 20 years or older are mileage exempt so there is no official record keeping of mileage. what I am saying there is no real way for someone to check on you if you are over your mileage restrictions. I am not exactly saying it is legal (cuz it isn't) but if you speedometer happened to be not working for a month or two......

really though I just called my company every time I was going over my mileage restriction and told them and they had no problem with it. I have had classic insurance since 1997 on one vehicle or another with the same company and never had a claim so I imagine they consider me a good customer (I also have 10 bikes and one GTO on the policy which is why they may also treat me as a good customer). I used to ride one of my bikes everyday and never went more than 1000 miles over riding into manhattan from brooklyn, plus weekend trips, but it pays to have more than one bike (FYI my "classic bike insurance" is about $380 a year for all 10). How many miles do you think you would be putting over 3000 a year on your norton?

There isn't enough meat on the bone for a lawyer to take the case, FWIW. Plus your insurance company has probably already subrogated your rights and is suing his insurance company (or him personally) if you went through your own insurance.
 
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