Mashed bike...should I bother to rebuild?

[Anonymous]

Some time ago (Sept. 27 to be precise) I unfortunately took my first spill. Keeping with my moto "Go big or go home" it was a doozy. After 2 months in the hospital, a few broken bones and 5 days in a coma I was set free! Now 6+ months later, still with one broken bone (hurry damn Tibia, heal, heal) I am finally trying to figure out what to do with my busted bike. Here is the damage:
-The rear swin-arm has been bent slightly to the left due to the impact of the telephone pole.
-Hole worn thru on the bottom left part of the engine case, not sure if it was a plastic or metal part. All oil leaked out.
-Dash and mirrors all smashed to hell from skidding on road.
-Headers and exhaust smahed apart just past the 4/1 connection of the tubing.
so I think that's most of it. Dunno if it is worth fixing I think maybe parting it out would be a better idea. I've got pictures so maybe you guys could all look at it and tell me what you think.

http://members.shaw.ca/klack/bike.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/klack/bikeexhaust.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/klack/biketank.jpg

http://members.shaw.ca/klack/bikewheelpeg.jpg

Bike before the accident: http://members.shaw.ca/klack/motorbike750.jpg


Cheers,
Shaun

Please e-mail all replies o me here:
klack@shaw.ca

P.S. I forgot to ask, any ideas for what I should ask for parts if I do sell them. The small hole in the engine has be fixed easily and it will run nicely...thank again.

[Anonymous]

Glad to hear you're still alive and almost kicking.

As for the bike, if you have to pay someone to do the work, forget it, too much expense, but, as a hobby while you're recovering, you may find it to be very satisfying to rebuild the bike with tips and patrs sources from this website.

I have no idea what the parts are worth, but there's always someone who may need something from your bike. It would just be a shame to see a good GS torn apart, never to driven again.

Good luck in your recovery.

[Billy Ricks]

Shaun,
Sorry to hear about your accident, at least you're still here with us. If you decide to fix the bike I've got some parts that might help you. You can have them for the cost of shipping if so. I have a stock exhaust, front and rear peg assemblies, rear brake lever, shift lever, rear wheel, and a few other odds and ends. This offer is good only for you, so the rest of you guys forget it. At some point I'll even have a swingarm when I get around to finishing a conversion I'm doing. Take care.

[SqDancerLynn1]

I sound like it would be repairable IF you can do the work yourself or get a friend to help. The oil leak? Most likely you damaged the stator cover, easy to fix, swing arm, they show up on ebay all of the time or one of the members probably has one,

[Anonymous]

I think you ought to keep it as a trophy of your early years. If you keep your bike you should save about 300$ to have a new one safetied and insured until September. Regardless, your wreck should be looked over by a mechanic once your done fixing it up.

Assuming you can't afford to go out and pay cash for another bike you'll probably be on the road sooner with the one you have. This is because you won't have to take a loss on your old bike and you can buy bits and pieces as they come up for sale. The dash will be about 100$US and the same goes with the swing arm. You may be able to pop the tank back out with a stick or some compressed air. The case can be welded or plugged and the mirrors are waiting for you at Crappy Tire.

Get well soon, Steve

[Anonymous]

so far so good

Thanks a bunch for the replies so far, forgot how awesome everyone at this site is! I will be taking the bike in to the shop this weekend (hopefully) to get the mechanic to give me his advice. If you're out looking at parts and happen to come by anythign for my 750 please pass it on to me so I can check it out. I have lots of cash saved but that is for school in Sept Going to go get my Aircraft Maintenance Engineers license so I can fix planes, maybe I will learn somethign about bikes while I'm at it. Thanks for the oh-so prompt replies and please keep 'em comming.
Cheers,
Shaun

[Anonymous]

I would most definately repair it, but then again I'll do anything to keep a bike alive. If you were in the area, which you arent, I'd fix it with you... ie, you buy the parts and I turn the wrenches if you didn't know how. to me it didn't look that bad, a swingarm (cheep on ebay as long as no one else needs it) maybe wheels and rubber, a dash (again, back to ebay) and if you did wear a hole in the stator cover, those ain't too expensive even from a yard. Mirrors are cake and cheep too... unless you have your heart set on original.

[Hap Call]

In 1986 while I was still in college I had a good step-off with my 1100. While I did some scarring personal damage (nothing like what you have been through) the damage to the bike was extensive. I found it therapeutic to rebuild the bike, my first 1100 rebuild. I did everything myself except for bodywork or machine work. When I mean rebuild I mean complete tear-down, inspection, repair, and reassembly of the entire bike, not just the parts that where damaged. It gave me a chance to evaluate if I wanted to be on a bike or not.

Hap

[Jay B]

Rebuild rebuild rebuild. Never part a bike out til its FUBAR'd.

[crag antler]

Shaun, first off, I'm glad to hear you came thorough the accident fairly Ok :?
I would have to agree with everyone else though. You are healing and the bike can heal also. Like Jay B said, rebuild.......
You'll find the help and encouragement here.
Keep us updated and your's and the bike's recovery.

[lhanscom]

I've got a stator cover for you, if needed.

[redliner1973]

Now all you have to do is show this post to the wife so you can spend all that time and $$$ with all of us behind you!!! After all, who could argue there!!?? Glad you still made it fairly well from the accident, and good luck in your decision. :twisted:

[Anonymous]

part?

ok I had a closer look at my bike and a hole has been ripped thru my generator cover by sliding across the pavment. the question is why would oil leak out of that cover?? I am prety sure that I am thinking of the right part but I looked it up on Bike Bandit and found this:

http://members.shaw.ca/klack/engine.jpg

Any suggestions?
Cheers,
Shaun

[kz]

Re: part?

ok I had a closer look at my bike and a hole has been ripped thru my generator cover by sliding across the pavment. the question is why would oil leak out of that cover??

It is normally oil inside of that cover.....

[Billy Ricks]

ok I had a closer look at my bike and a hole has been ripped thru my generator cover by sliding across the pavment. the question is why would oil leak out of that cover?? I am prety sure that I am thinking of the right part but I looked it up on Bike Bandit and found this:

The alternator is bathed in motor oil.