My Rocket IS Destroyed Followup..Should I Salvage.. Parts Interest

Debating on the salvage issue! As many of you know my 2013 New England White and Phantom Black Rocket Touring (Non ABS) was rear ended and destroyed. The adjuster says it is total and I have yet to hear the final payout amount. NADA is $11,260.00 with about 2K in accessories, less what I decide to keep. . Mainly the long haul seat and backrest with a couple of other things. The total dollar payout amount I'm hoping will be in the $12,500.00 range, less my $250 deductible. He told me for the salvage value they have a bid of 3k with a salvage title, much higher than the 10-15% some of you discussed There are many parts on the bike which were not damaged such as....


The instrument cluster, the fuel tank insides

Complete front end, front tire and rim, brakes, front fender etc

The complete Engine and transmission which I doubt were affected as I had the clutch in when hit.

The right pannier

Floorboards, right crash bar, right rear crash bar

Much of the chrome side trim

Rear wheel and rear end drive assembly

Tail light, right front aux light, some other rear light parts

Handlebar control clusters, radiator and all the trim.



The list goes on....

I know some of you are always looking for parts, but it will be a pain parting it out and shipping parts unless it's local pickup. I have a garage, but it would take time to do that. I may temporary rent a storage building. I'm looking to cut my losses so is there any interest out there if I were to buy it and sell the parts a say 60% of retail value...If I buy it back for salvage, does that mean they won't pay me for the accessories that I am leaving on it?

I also bought a new 2015 RT3 in Virginia from a dealer. New, but Triumph put 30 miles on it so it has to be sold as used and not fall under the endless summer voucher option. I feel I got a good buy on it and I will have to go and pick it up. Any comments??

How does the bearclaw look, I would be interested in that.

bob

Bob R said:

How does the bearclaw look, I would be interested in that.

bob

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Not a mark as I looked it over but I did not take it off to inspect. Just looked again...no dents or scratches I can see so I would say perfect. Going to be away from the computer for awhile Bob...off to the bank.

This whole thing is a bummer. How are YOU doing ?

The question that comes to mind, is, "What is your time worth ?"

I am a hobby beekeeper. I steal (that is the proper term in the industry) their honey.

Sometimes I sell the honey to people who insist. I sell for $7 or $8 / lb, and I figure it costs me about $50/ lb when all is said and done -- so in effect -- it is a gift of sorts, and my time is totally discounted because it is a hobby.

From a business sense, I would suggest parting out the bike is not worth it. You have already listed some of the investment you will have to make from buying the salvage, renting a place, dealing with advertising and shipping, and so on. And it will take a long time. And you will be left with parts at the end, staring at them, no one seems to want, and asking yourself, when do I finally let go ?

If you are licking your lips (in the way that a woman's reproductive function seems FAR more interesting when she is your wife and is carrying your child) at the prospect of this opportunity to spend more time learning about the machine -- I would say "go for it!".

Joesmoe said:

This whole thing is a bummer. How are YOU doing ?

The question that comes to mind, is, "What is your time worth ?"

I am a hobby beekeeper. I steal (that is the proper term in the industry) their honey.

Sometimes I sell the honey to people who insist. I sell for $7 or $8 / lb, and I figure it costs me about $50/ lb when all is said and done -- so in effect -- it is a gift of sorts, and my time is totally discounted because it is a hobby.

From a business sense, I would suggest parting out the bike is not worth it. You have already listed some of the investment you will have to make from buying the salvage, renting a place, dealing with advertising and shipping, and so on. And it will take a long time. And you will be left with parts at the end, staring at them, no one seems to want, and asking yourself, when do I finally let go ?

If you are licking your lips (in the way that a woman's reproductive function seems FAR more interesting when she is your wife and is carrying your child) at the prospect of this opportunity to spend more time learning about the machine -- I would say "go for it!".

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Not licking my lips looking for a profit, but I would like to cut my losses. Doing better...off to the bank

Glad to hear you're doing well. If you can make back the buy back price + your deductible, then it's worth it. Just a quick list or ballpark "mean to sell this **** quick" prices:

1500 Motor
100 Bars w/controls
350 Forks w/clamps
100 Seats
50 Bearclaw
100 Front Rim
200 Rear Rim
250 brakes f/r
200 fenders
200 various trim pieces
250 tank
350 shaft drive
3650 total

At those prices or there about, the buyer gets a deal, and you're likely to move the parts quickly. The further you break it down, the more profit, but that list is pretty easy to break down into those pieces. Is that much worth it? That depends on your financial situation, and your time of course. Obviously there are more pieces I haven't listed, but as a quick idea of what I've seen things go for on Ebay, there you go.

If I had the storage space and tools I'd break it and sell, 3600 is a good chunk of change, but does it cover your buy back and deductible? That's really the sticking point.

Bedifferent said:

Not a mark as I looked it over but I did not take it off to inspect. Just looked again...no dents or scratches I can see so I would say perfect. Going to be away from the computer for awhile Bob...off to the bank.

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PM sent.

bob

Ask yourself this simple question:
Take your personal interest of this particular bike out of the picture for the moment;
If you saw an R3 listed 'down the street' in exact same condition (salvage title plus damage) for exact same asking price - would you be interested in pursuing that so you could part it out to make some extra money?

I suspect the answer is probably 'no' - but I'll let you answer that for yourself

Bedifferent said:

it will be a pain parting it out and shipping parts unless it's local pickup.

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If you are looking to only market the small parts by shipment and the large parts (where the money is frankly) ONLY locally (with a quite limited market), then I would say it is not a rewarding enterprise.
But if you enjoy wrenching, don't mind the shipping aspect, or the intermediate storage aspect, then it could certainly be a good economic prospect; but don't look for immediate return on the initial investment of that $3K outlay

Claviger said:

Glad to hear you're doing well. If you can make back the buy back price + your deductible, then it's worth it. Just a quick list or ballpark "mean to sell this **** quick" prices:

1500 Motor
100 Bars w/controls
350 Forks w/clamps
100 Seats
50 Bearclaw
100 Front Rim
200 Rear Rim
250 brakes f/r
200 fenders
200 various trim pieces
250 tank
350 shaft drive
3650 total

At those prices or there about, the buyer gets a deal, and you're likely to move the parts quickly. The further you break it down, the more profit, but that list is pretty easy to break down into those pieces. Is that much worth it? That depends on your financial situation, and your time of course. Obviously there are more pieces I haven't listed, but as a quick idea of what I've seen things go for on Ebay, there you go.

If I had the storage space and tools I'd break it and sell, 3600 is a good chunk of change, but does it cover your buy back and deductible? That's really the sticking point.

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Well, at those prices I wouldn't waste my time going out to the garage and turning a wrench. I'm not sure if you have looked at any eBay prices on motorcycle parts, but the price examples you have given would certainly be a deal indeed. For example price for New..... Final drive $2,724, Throttle body assembly $2,569, A rear wheel assembly $1,030, Front wheel $1,009, A radiator assembly $602, One Pannier $1,662, I could go on...

I think you have made my case...Its not worth my time! Everybody wants the part at .10 cents on the dollar when even .50 cents on the dollar would be a deal. As of now, I'm going to stick with my plan an let it go. I just want this chapter of my life to be over and move on.

Totally understand, perhaps you could salvage the motor and drive gear and do a one off transplant.

Mini Cooper W/R3
Caterham W/R3
Smart car W/R3

Oh the possibilities lol.