[ciaka]

I am exercising the idea of getting a salvage bike for a track bike. Any advice about it? I want to know if first of all it is a good idea. I do not care what it will look like cosmetically. As long as it is functionally good.
Are engines a risk in salvage bike?
What should I look for? Thanks.

 

[ciaka]

no advice? hoped some racers would ring in here.

 

[sss r1]

check for frame damage/ ,bent forks .

 

[27007RT]

I'm doing the same thing now - weighing my options between a bike with or without a salvage title, or a bike that has been "totalled". Obviously bikes can be "totalled" for low to moderate amounts of damage. If a bike is stolen and the plastic stripped, that would be a total - and a perfect track bike, IMO. A lowside would also likely be a total if the plastics are torn up. Perhaps no or little mechanical damage - but a total, and perfect for a trackbike.

I'd stay away from anything with signifcant damage / not running. Who knows what could be wrong. Personally, I'd also stay away from anything with bent forks - no telling what it did to the head or steering angle / bearings. Maybe I'm wrong on that and it isn't a big deal, perhaps someone can carify.

 

[1longR1]

honestly it doesnt take much to total bike.. specially if owners want it totald... the shop can write forks off.. tho you cant tell there bent.. but some dont want to take chance.. sometimes u start fixing bike for insurance and then find other stuff.. the u need supplement.. and that supplement might total bike and u be stuck with parts(far as shop goes).. so they will write some things that may not be damaged.. watch engine cases... sometimes when u take covers off stator or clutch.. the engine cases will crumble apart at bolt hole.... thats one thing. next is frame, subframe. frames can have scratch.. there is no painting them for shop.. they just replace them.. so scratched frame can cost $3k plus labor to replace.. but for racer.. thats no big deal. biggies are frame, subframe, swingarm, forks, wheels, engine. everything else can be easily replaced.

if i was buying one i would walk around and check it closely. ihave bought salvaged bike b4, but i knew what happened in wreck and it was just cosmetic stuff. but we did have busa that was close to total and got parts, and when engine cover came off the cases fell apart from crack.. it totaled it. also sometimes u cant see fairing stays bent or broke.. tho u can get race one.. just something to check