Subject: RE: Crashing m/cs and insurance
Author: Kevin Graf
Date: Jul 30, 2003, 7:41 AM
Post ID: 1713970180
Thanks Darrell,
I think I'll have to listen to you. Mike said about the same thing.
Kev and I were talking about the project last night. We feel so bad things
are not going as planned and we really don't want to let you down. Buying
you out might be an option, esp if I get a chunk of change out of this. We
just didn't want to dissapoint you. Maybe we could get together have a beer
and sort through this?
I'm gonna call the ins. co. today and see what they say about it.
Kev
-----Original Message-----
From: Darrell Dick [mailto:ddic-@juno.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2003 10:28 AM
To: Loopfram-@topica.com
Subject: Re: Crashing m/cs and insurance
Well that sucks. I know how much that old bike means to you.
If I were you, I think I would report all the damage and see what the
insurance company wants to do. If they total it, go ahead and buy the
bike back. I would be willing to bet that the frame could be repaired
(pretty much anything can be repaired with enough Franklins). If it's
bent it could be straightened. If its cracked, I don't see why that
couldn't be welded or spliced either (It's just good ole' Italian water
pipe right?). Whatever you do, don't just take a chance on it. You might
end up face first in a cornfield again.
I think you already know what the right answer is. It sounds like the
motor and trans (and maybe the Russian tractor seat) are about the only
really good parts left. Take the cash and start over. There are a lot of
good Loopframes out there that could be built up for considerably less
than what it will probably cost put "your" Ambo back together. Want to
buy my share of the project Eldo?
Darrell Dick
Imlay City, MI
On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 13:55:29 +0000 Kevin Graf <kgr-@midwestpension.com>
writes:
| Hey all, Sad, Sad day in Detroit. I went to do the insurance estimate on the bike last night. Yup, a whole bunch of parts. Some liberties were taken and the list might have to be revised depending on how the insurance company reacts. But the engine was strong and after everything was listed it was time to pull the tank so I could get a better look at the frame. I did not want to find what I did. Up around the neck there is newly flaked paint. This screams problem to me. This frame is most likely cracked/bent. I cannot see any obvious cracks so I am left with the question of how bad? Mr. Dave Richardson he says that this is not uncommon on the Ambos/Eldos when in a frt. end collision since the frame is not reinforced very well at the neck. If the insurance co. is let in on this secret they will most likely scrap the bike. This opinion is from folks who mainly deal with newer motorcycles. We're not quite sure how they will react in my case. I cannot have them scrap this bike. I have too much into it. I not talking about money but time, pride and joy. I have touched everything on this bike and know it's right, everything from the engine to the metric acorn nuts I found for 1/2 off. This is my bike and to see it get scrapped is not and option. There are far too many good parts on the thing. It looks like I have a couple options depending on what the ins. co says. I could not tell them about the frame, give them the list and put the thing back together. If the frame seems to be a problem later, (it might not be cracked, granted it ain't perfect but it is a loop) worry about it then. OR I could let them scrap it, take the payoff (which is a good chunk o' change) and try to buy it back. I guess it will be considered scrap. So I would guess I will need to swap the innards to a new frame and engine case with a clean title. I'm not sure though, I know nothing about how this works. Any opinions? Questions I should be asking? Anyone deal with this before? Thanks, Kev |