Hit by red light runner

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jamesp

jamesp

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Hi, I was hit by a red light runner the other day. Only a last minute swerve by the runner allowed me to be here, else I'd be gone. I will be needing to repair my previously un-restored 1974 Commando Mark IIa.

I would appreciate any advice on good parts sources. I will be needing a new front end, fork tubes, triple trees, front fender center support, headlight, headlight ears, handlebars, and a good metal fuel tank.

Will probably need more including someone who can check the frame alignment and possible straightening. I think the frame is ok, but need to check it. The steering stop was sheared off the frame yoke and will need to be repaired. I may also want to have the motor gone through while it is apart.

I still need to settle with runner's insurance company, but looking down the road to resurrection. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
 
The most important thing is that you are OK. Human bodies are tough to repair.

Unfortunately, it sounds like your Norton will be an insurance write off. Totaled.
Depends on how you and the at-fault party are insured, you should be offered fair market replacement value for the bike.
What is that number, I don't know? $8500?

EDITING my estimated valuation:
Again so happy you are alright, and thinking of the unfortunate chap that was seriously injured on his Norton special. He got his wrecked bike back also.
For the USA, I consider a fair RETAIL value for a titled and taxed, street worthy 1970s Norton Commando at closer to $10,000.
You can find such bikes on the trading forum.
Good luck.
 
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Glad to hear you hear you survived classic widow maker situation ... sounds like you good to go .... Happy you did not shoot red runner , hope you back on 2 wheels sooner than you think possible !
 
Bob Z. said:
The most important thing is that you are OK. Human bodies are tough to repair.

Unfortunately, it sounds like your Norton will be an insurance write off. Totaled.
Depends on how you and the at-fault party are insured, you should be offered fair market replacement value for the bike.
What is that number, I don't know? $8500?
Click to expand...
I think 8500 is a good reasonable number, but I have seen higher.
 
alan hodge said:
thank God you are OK
Click to expand...
Strangely, I didn't think about hurting him, but felt a loss for my bike because it was in such good shape. I didn't feel the road rage like I do at times. I was also dazed and wondering if I should go to hospital, which I didn't. I might lose it if he were in front of me now. This is the second time I have been hit while riding on two wheels by a driver that was in the wrong. First time was on my Cushman Eagle when I was 14.
 
There are no intersections on road race circuits and everyone is going in the same direction. If you get hurt, you have usually done it to yourself.
 
Take the market value of your bike, buy anew bike and then if insurance Co let’s you keep wrecked bike, begin a restoration. It won’t be cheap. Most important is that you walked away from a potentially life altering event!!!
 
They will likely try and low ball your settlement with a sales analysis of questionable or different models in a different locale. I know this from experiencence.

Be prepared to question the insurance company as to how they reached their "proposed" settlement and ask to see the details of the basis.

Best to be prepared. Gather data of at least three recent local sales (if possible), of similar models and condition. Preferably on the higher end of your settlement target, as you wont know the price.of rebuild. You can use this to push back for your "average" number.

You may want to buy back you bike at scrap cost, and look at either repairs or use as a parts bike.

Whatever you do, dont cash the check until you are satisfied with the amount.
 
jamesp said:
I would appreciate any advice on good parts sources. I will be needing a new front end, fork tubes, triple trees, front fender center support, headlight, headlight ears, handlebars, and a good metal fuel tank.
Click to expand...

Glad to hear you got to walk or limp away from that and live another day.

They will right it off for sure no matter where you lived in the world.

Near all of those parts are available off the shelf from Andover Norton, a new fuel tank from EMGO.
The cost would high by the time you painted the tank, if you got the bike back and a decent payout it would be worth it but a start from scratch project and would want to check the engine over carefully for any damage.
I would almost advise if you can not do it yourself, finding some form of 'expert from a local Norton club etc to go over the bike also, two sets of eyes can be better than one.

I hope you have good pictures of the bike before the incident, if the bike was in very good Original condition I believe that is a key factor to a high Claim perhaps even more so over one loaded with 'trinkets.
#
Not that it is relevant really, but if my Mk2a was still in the US and was offered US$8500 it would be a firm no.

Hit by red light runner
 
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acotrel said:
There are no intersections on road race circuits and everyone is going in the same direction. If you get hurt, you have usually done it to yourself.
Click to expand...


Al, on the road people are generally going in the same direction lane wise but you need to stop for the pretty red light, its not rocket science.
 
jamesp said:
Hi, I was hit by a red light runner the other day. Only a last minute swerve by the runner allowed me to be here, else I'd be gone. I will be needing to repair my previously un-restored 1974 Commando Mark IIa.

I would appreciate any advice on good parts sources. I will be needing a new front end, fork tubes, triple trees, front fender center support, headlight, headlight ears, handlebars, and a good metal fuel tank.

Will probably need more including someone who can check the frame alignment and possible straightening. I think the frame is ok, but need to check it. The steering stop was sheared off the frame yoke and will need to be repaired. I may also want to have the motor gone through while it is apart.

I still need to settle with runner's insurance company, but looking down the road to resurrection. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Click to expand...
Glad to hear you lived through it.

Is there much concern that the rebuilt bike will carry salvage title, knocking future value down?

Have heard some insurance companies require a write off to go to scrap auction bidding...so there's no guarantees you will win it back.
 
lazyeye6 said:
Take the market value of your bike, buy anew bike and then if insurance Co let’s you keep wrecked bike, begin a restoration. It won’t be cheap. Most important is that you walked away from a potentially life altering event!!!
Click to expand...
I hate to see a classic be destroyed. I was looking for a project bike before this happened. Guess I will have to sort it out.
 
gortnipper said:
They will likely try and low ball your settlement with a sales analysis of questionable or different models in a different locale. I know this from experiencence.

Be prepared to question the insurance company as to how they reached their "proposed" settlement and ask to see the details of the basis.

Best to be prepared. Gather data of at least three recent local sales (if possible), of similar models and condition. Preferably on the higher end of your settlement target, as you wont know the price.of rebuild. You can use this to push back for your "average" number.

You may want to buy back you bike at scrap cost, and look at either repairs or use as a parts bike.

Whatever you do, dont cash the check until you are satisfied with the amount.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I'm gathering sales info.
 
Time Warp said:
Glad to hear you got to walk or limp away from that and live another day.

They will right it off for sure no matter where you lived in the world.

Near all of those parts are available off the shelf from Andover Norton, a new fuel tank from EMGO.
The cost would high by the time you painted the tank, if you got the bike back and a decent payout it would be worth it but a start from scratch project and would want to check the engine over carefully for any damage.
I would almost advise if you can not do it yourself, finding some form of 'expert from a local Norton club etc to go over the bike also, two sets of eyes can be better than one.

I hope you have good pictures of the bike before the incident, if the bike was in very good Original condition I believe that is a key factor to a high Claim perhaps even more so over one loaded with 'trinkets.
#
Not that it is relevant really, but if my Mk2a was still in the US and was offered US$8500 it would be a firm no.

View attachment 9858
Click to expand...
That's a beautiful bike. I will check out Andover Norton and Emgo. I also have someone who can do body work and paint loo at my tank. I am in California and know two Norton experts who could fix it/help me if i don't do it myself.
 
Tornado said:
Glad to hear you lived through it.

Is there much concern that the rebuilt bike will carry salvage title, knocking future value down?

Have heard some insurance companies require a write off to go to scrap auction bidding...so there's no guarantees you will win it back.
Click to expand...
I will try to avoid a salvage title if at all possible.
 
Time Warp said:
Acotrel has not or does not ride on the road.
Click to expand...

And only can ride when he can afford to, I like to ride all year round and not in circles, its the risk we take everytime we go out on the bike, but I am lucky it not far to get out of town and into the ranges.
Anyway its good you came out of it alive and well, your bike can be rebuilt and just think of all the upgrades you can do if you get the bike back, the insurance company might write it off, but its a repairable write off and you be able to get it back, good luck with it and hope it works your way.

Ashley
 
ashman said:
And only can ride when he can afford to, I like to ride all year round and not in circles, its the risk we take everytime we go out on the bike, but I am lucky it not far to get out of town and into the ranges.
Anyway its good you came out of it alive and well, your bike can be rebuilt and just think of all the upgrades you can do if you get the bike back, the insurance company might write it off, but its a repairable write off and you be able to get it back, good luck with it and hope it works your way.

Ashley
Click to expand...
Thank you. I like your attitude.
 
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