Questions about salvaging a motorcycle

[MickMcGeough]

Looking at buying a project bike for the summer. I've found a guy selling a nearly-complete Yamaha R6 for very cheap. It's been crashed, and the frame had to be replaced.

I'd need to be able to get it street legal, and I've got a few questions about how to do that:

- Can it in fact be put back on the road after having a busted frame?
- Do I have to get a new VIN assigned to the bike with a replaced frame? What does that involve/cost?
- What does inspection on a salvaged bike cost? I've heard it can be upwards of $500?

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

I know that with custom bikes the VIN goes with the frame, so if you had to replace the frame, then you'll likely have a different VIN.

Also,
I'm sure you've already thought about it, but I'd be really worried about rebuilding a bike where the frame had to be repalced.
If the crash was that bad I'd guess that the power train is likely in pretty poor condition as well.

[DESS]

I'm not a bike guy so take this for what it is, but I think you're nuts to even consider that bike. They're relatively cheap brand new, let alone used. I wouldn't even consider one that had been written off.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

Looking at buying a project bike for the summer. I've found a guy selling a nearly-complete Yamaha R6 for very cheap. It's been crashed, and the frame had to be replaced.

I'd need to be able to get it street legal, and I've got a few questions about how to do that:

- Can it in fact be put back on the road after having a busted frame?
- Do I have to get a new VIN assigned to the bike with a replaced frame? What does that involve/cost?
- What does inspection on a salvaged bike cost? I've heard it can be upwards of $500?

How cheap is very cheap? if it was in a bad wreck and the frame was twisted is this some guy who got it at an auction or something?

What year is it? A buddy of mine got a 2005 last year for $2700.00 and it was in great shape.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

Ya put me down as 'Your nuts to consider a salvage bike'....riding a bike is risky enough as it is without having to worry about your bike not performing properly. Keep looking.

[Shnabdabber]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

Looking at buying a project bike for the summer. I've found a guy selling a nearly-complete Yamaha R6 for very cheap. It's been crashed, and the frame had to be replaced.

I'd need to be able to get it street legal, and I've got a few questions about how to do that:

- Can it in fact be put back on the road after having a busted frame?
- Do I have to get a new VIN assigned to the bike with a replaced frame? What does that involve/cost?
- What does inspection on a salvaged bike cost? I've heard it can be upwards of $500?

Myself, I wouldnt buy any bike that has had frame damage. Regardless of the frame has been "fixed" (impossible) or if the bike has been in a wreck that wrote the frame off. I would be worried about other damage, especially if the wreck was at speed. If it was a slow speed dump, ex dropped in the driveway and had a gouge n the frame, then maybe I wouldnt worry so much. Chances are tho the Yamaha you are looking at was wadded pretty good.

What I would like to know is where did the replacement frame come from? If its a salvage, I would check the VIN to make sure there are no leins against the bike, or worse, that it was stolen. This can be a pain when it comes time to insure your bike.

As some of the other posters have mentioned, if the frame was wrote off on the bike, I would be worried about the condition of the rest of the machine. Sub frame, swingarm, forks, cases, ect. Tweaked parts will surely cause another wreck at speed.

IMO I would be extremely hesitant to go thru with this. I would look for a clean used bike, good deals are out there.

Besides all that... why would you want to ride a Yamaha?

Good luck.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Yeah, I probably would not salvage an R6 of all bikes, there are lots of them available.
a more rare model perhaps......

[MickMcGeough]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

"Cheap" means $1500. I've already got most of the parts required to get it back on the road so I figured I could get it going for under $2K all-in, but I think I'll just put in the extra coin and get one with a clean title.

As an aside, why all the hate for Yamahas/R6s? I have no real opinion on it, rode one once before and loved it but I've mostly ridden touring bikes, not sport bikes.

[T@T]

I've lost my crazyness to even consider driving a bike in the city but if I ever lost my mind again it would be very very load..ala a Harley.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

Thanks for all the advice guys.

"Cheap" means $1500. I've already got most of the parts required to get it back on the road so I figured I could get it going for under $2K all-in, but I think I'll just put in the extra coin and get one with a clean title.

As an aside, why all the hate for Yamahas/R6s? I have no real opinion on it, rode one once before and loved it but I've mostly ridden touring bikes, not sport bikes.

I have no hate for the R6, its a fun bike, lots of jam. You might get bored of it and want the R1 eventually.

[Shnabdabber]

Originally Posted by MickMcGeough

As an aside, why all the hate for Yamahas/R6s? I have no real opinion on it, rode one once before and loved it but I've mostly ridden touring bikes, not sport bikes.

Ive never rode a R6, my experiences with Yamahas has mostly been in the dirt, and Ive never rode one I liked. Yamaha's are extremely popular, I know alot of guys who swear by them, I just never liked Yamaha ergo's or handling traits. But hey, different strokes for different folks, whatever bike you like best is the best bike out there.

If most of your experience has been with touring bikes, I would guess you are used to twins? Tourquey power ect? 600's are very high strung bikes with pretty soft power off the bottom. Late model R6's in particular are veiwed as having exceptional, class leading top end jam, but also the weakest roll on/midrange power. Every R6 owner I have talked to says they make excellent track day or race bikes, but take alot of work to keep them buzzing on the street. Just my two cents. If the R6 is what you are after, then I say go for it.
Good luck finding the bike you are after. Gear up and be safe!