Need some advice

[dadcmd]

 Hello all, 

  Been a member since 2001 back when the old boards were around. I pop in now and again to check out the boards. You guys helped me set up my 2000 super valk.....2000 Interstate blue and silver 14,000 miles w/ 6 deg. wheel, viking exhaust, quick disconnect trunk, kick shift all the goodies. I really need some good advise.
 
   Well, hurricane Irene came to town and I had 18 inches of salt water in my garage. Valk got wet, filled the exhaust. I've drained all the fluids and washed her off, bla bla bla......and I think she is running fine. But who knows what the salt water will do in the long run.

     Here is the problem. Called the insurance company and they want to total the bike. Sight unseen, they just don't want the problems of a salt water flood bike. I have 2 options. 1. I cash out and they cut me a check for 7-8 thousand and my baby is gone. 2. they total the bike issue a salvage title,  I buy it back from the insurance co. for 30% of the pay out, and I have to go through the salvage process to get the bike registered. Pain in the butt from what I've been told.

    There is a lot of sentimental value the goes along with this motorcycle. I'm having a real hard time making this decision.

Thanks
Dave

     
     

[SANDMAN5]

I would go with option #2. You get to keep your bike and get some money
to restore/repair what's needed. If worse comes to worse you could part
it out. I'd jump through some hoops, if need be, to keep my Valk.

[RainMaker]

You might want to contact Rocketman on the Texas board.  His '99 I/S was flooded in a hurricane, too.

RainMaker

[The Anvil]

I don't know about NY but re-reging a salvaged bike is easy in NH.

[dadcmd]

first of all thanks for all the quick responses. I have been leaning towards option #2. I get to keep the bike and can put the $ aside for future repairs. I will try to contact rocketman. The fear of the unknown. NYS DMV is notoriously a pain in the ass.

[The Anvil]

first of all thanks for all the quick responses. I have been leaning towards option #2. I get to keep the bike and can put the $ aside for future repairs. I will try to contact rocketman. The fear of the unknown. NYS DMV is notoriously a pain in the ass.

You might want to get some specific lowdowns on what you need to provide when trying to re-reg in your state. Here in NH all you need is a receipt for the parts you used in the rebuild (does not need to be new stuff, a receipt from anyone is fine) and you need to have it inspected by a NH State Police officer. But if NY has some crazy requirements (like all new manufacturers parts) it might be worth reconsidering as it may be a lot of money and effort.

[Jess from VA]

I'd make pretty sure exactly what repairs are actually necessary, and get a hard quote or two, before I made my decision.  If actual repair comes to less than a total, the Ins co would rather pay that, but you get your bike fixed and no salvage title to deal with.  On the other hand, if repair is an engine off restoration, with loads of work, you may be better off taking max cash, letting the bike go, and buying a good repacement.

[eric in md]

keep it if its running fine . make sure you wash it up good behind side covers etc.  i might buy it . sounds like a great deal good luck

[Atl-Jerry]

Dave,

I just went thru that same scenario in August, only instead of flooding my Y2K IS was totaled by a Ford Focus.  Allstated paid me for my loss and after looking at numerous bikes, I bought another Y2K IS.  They sold my old bike back to me for $768.32.  Most of the tupperware was damaged, but the bike runs and drives fine.  I am awaiting the state of Ga to issue my salvage title and I will have it inspected by a state contracted inspection station before I can get a new "branded" title that I can register and put the bike back on the road.  I spoke with  the folks at the inspection station and they said it was a saftey inspection, if all lights and the horn worked it would pass, it didn't have to run or it could be butt-ugly, make sure the saftey stuff worked.  That is gonna be my winter project, to strip off the damaged stuff and make it a solo cruiser.  Google it for the state of NY, it will likley be a very similar process. 

On the issue of having your bike immersed in salt water, that is a different matter.  To qualify my statedments here, I am the co-owner of an on the water marine towing and salvage company and have brought up many things from the sea.  Recommend you tear down and thoroughly clean EVERYTHING from the inside out, otherwise you will likely develop strange electrical problems and it will simply fall apart from the salt water intrusion. 

AJ

[Fudd]

Salt water....................yuck

Dealing w/ NY DMV.......yuck

$2250 to keep it...........maybe

18" of water means your altenator took a swim.  You had to have gotten salt water in some cylinders via the exaust.  How much got in the crankcase?  Even if it didn't work out you can get your money back selling goodies.

[czuch]

Flush it real good with fresh water and take the money and run it.
I swam a real nice 63 bug one time outta pure stupidity and bad calculation.
I stuck the hose in the motor and changed oil several times. Ran that motor about 8 K miles before it puked a main bearing. Bear this car was stuck in the surf off Imperial beach in SD. I submarined it.
There was 1/2 inch of coarse sand in the bottom of the motor when I took it apart. There was fierce trouble beginning where I didnt flush. All you did was getter wet. Probably ok after a good fresh water and soapy flush. Usual moist electrical gremlins might be hiding in places, IE starter,alternator.

[Fudd]

I would think, if you are going to flush the engine, do it with diesel.  

[¿spoom]

A salvage title can only hurt you if you want to sell the bike or if it gets totalled in an accident later and you're debating value. If you plan on keeping it forever I'd take the check and buy it back BUT I'd see about working on them on price. They don't want the bike, they just have to get as much as they can for it. How much do you think you could sell the bike for right now on the street with full disclosure to the potential buyers? That's the most you should pay the insurance company IMO, minus whatever they have to admit they're saving by selling it to you rather than having to cart it off and start the selling process elsewhere. They know if you don't take it it'll get sold to the highest bidder of a bunch of cycle shops, and those shops aren't gonna make it rain dollars to get a salvage bike unless they plan on laundering the title (which you could mention you'll be watching for    )
If you think for a minute you'll ever want to sell the bike later then I'd just let them take the bike and start shopping for another, lots of good deals out there if you can wait and watch.

[da prez]

  Put it on Craigs list in a foriegn county as brine treated chrome with custom etching, one of a kind design and pick up only in a shipping container with the location disclosed only after the money is paid up front and clears the bank. Be sure to miss-spell a lot of words.

                                          da prez  (lol)

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

A salvage title can only hurt you if you want to sell the bike or if it gets totalled in an accident later and you're debating value. If you plan on keeping it forever I'd take the check and buy it back BUT I'd see about working on them on price. They don't want the bike, they just have to get as much as they can for it. How much do you think you could sell the bike for right now on the street with full disclosure to the potential buyers? That's the most you should pay the insurance company IMO, minus whatever they have to admit they're saving by selling it to you rather than having to cart it off and start the selling process elsewhere. They know if you don't take it it'll get sold to the highest bidder of a bunch of cycle shops, and those shops aren't gonna make it rain dollars to get a salvage bike unless they plan on laundering the title (which you could mention you'll be watching for    )
If you think for a minute you'll ever want to sell the bike later then I'd just let them take the bike and start shopping for another, lots of good deals out there if you can wait and watch.

Well said 


This bike has a re-built title it was'nt to big a deal after I got the title from the previous owner who lived in another state.Banks or loan company's will not load money on a re-built title so keep that in mind if you sell it later that person will need cash.

[dadcmd]

    Thanks for all the great advice. I've decided to keep her. I just can't get let her go. I will deal with the salvage title and jump through all the hoops the NYSDMV make me go through.
    The one thing that I forgot to tell you about my Valk. is that it was a fathers day present from my wife for my 1st father day. Well, needless to say when I told my wife we were keeping it she started to cry. She wouldn't tell me that's what she wanted me to do.
      So, I'm happy, she's happy and the world is good again. Well, sort of. I still need to get all this paperwork filled out .
     See you all on the road someday!!!!

Thanks again
Dave

[eric in md]

what a sweet ending there ...      good job keep it lubed up and clean it really well if all else fails change the engine if something would happen to it .. great story enjoy

[SANDMAN5]

 

[dadcmd]

Just a quick update....

     I received the check from the insurance co.....But, the important part is, I spent all last weekend cleaning and going through the entire bike. Runs great and looks like the day my wife bought her for me.

 Finally, because my Valk is over 10 years old NYSDMV doesn't need the title. I don't even have to register it again...... Hope to see you all on the road!!!!

   Thanks again for all the help and kind words

Dave

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]