Triumphrat

tham · 12-20-2005

Hello,
My 1971 Triumph TR6 Tiger was just involved in an unfortunate run in with the side of a truck in November.

I am trying to get as many examples of average cost to replace this bike.....(Walnecks,photo ads, Ebay,etc.)

As the insurance company wants to total it & has only offered me $3700.00.

Brief history, I have had this bike for 2.5 years and have done the following:
The bike was in very clean original shape when I got it for $3500.00

1. New tank and petcocks (custom paint, silver scallops, gold pinstriping)
2. New Norman Hyde seat (2 tiered cafe style)
3. Rebuilt head
4. New clutch (Recent).
5 all new control cables
6. New throttle,clucth , brake levers,switches & handle bars
7. New chrome fenders front and rear
8. Brand new tires front and rear
9. rebuilt stock Amal
10. New Toga silencers
11. New Ikon shocks (with chrome & black shrouds).
12. New brakes front & rear.
13. Boyer ignition
14. Lucas cafe style tailight.

Bike ran like a top, everything worked perfect..... but has severe front end damage now, fork tubes mashed, triple trees bent, possible cracked/bent frame.

I need some honest replacement costs for this year (I know it is an oil in frame so it runs a little less than a 1970)..I have a s***load of time & money in this bike & stand to lose everything Ive invested & not be able to replace it with a comparable machine.

If you have examples from your area to help justify my cause it would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks in advance, Thom R.

oilyboot · 12-21-2005

Try Rabers, and Baxter Cycle. Both usually have some nice Triumphs advertised for sale online.
fwiw, I'm suprised the bloodsuckers offered you as much as they did .
I've heard worse horror stories about insurance claims on vintage machines.
Early OIF parts are still relatively cheap. You could probably buy it back for a few hundred, replace the damaged parts, and have a good chunk of change leftover for your trouble.
Good luck, and ride safe.....

Pig9r · 12-21-2005

Did you save your reciepts? That might help but unfortunately if you didn't insure it for an appraised value or put a rider on your policy for a certain dollar amount in options you are probably screwed because all they are obligated to pay is market value.

Quote:

I've heard worse horror stories about insurance claims on vintage machines

And the main cause is that they are not insured properly.

tham · 12-21-2005

Thanks guys,
I really appreciate any help that is out there!

Yes, I have every single receipt for even the tiniest thing done to the bike.
(I have been in the this habit since about 1980 just so I can give myself a heart attack when I realize that I have just sunk $17,000.00 into a Yamaha MiniTrail. :-D

The insurance claim is completely on the other drivers policy. (Police reports, Insurance companies show that accident was 0% my fault).

I am planning on buying the salvage & hopefully doing a street tracker.....who knows.

[ This message was edited by: tham on 2005-12-21 08:20 ]

quagmire · 12-21-2005

I feel for you. I got my 1970 TR6 in sixteen boxes for $1500.00 from my uncles boss. I have put in well over $4000.00 to bring it back to like-new condition. Keep on the insurance company. It's probably worth more to you than whatever they give you. You may also want to get a consultation from an attorney. CA may have laws that let you go after the driver for any differences in the value (minus attorney's fees, of course). The consultations are usually free, so it won't hurt to ask.

tham · 12-21-2005

A suggestion from the agent who handles all of my business insurance was to:
1. Accept the check....do not cash it.
2. Then go after the driver/insured in small claims court for the difference.

Funny thing is, as I am typing this.... the insurance agent just called & upped the value to $4000.00

I am going to compile a list of available bikes & mail it to the insurance company.
There may be a light at the end of this tunnel.
(That light may be a 1970 Triumph :-D ).

Thanks, Thom

quagmire · 12-22-2005

Take the $4000.00 and get the difference in small claims. You may find that if your reasonable about the difference the other driver may opt not to go to small claims court and pay you the difference. The problem with small claims is the judge can find in your favor but can't order the other peson to pay. The burden is on you to try and collect. In MA we can get the sherrif to go and seize property of equal value if the guy has anything that can be found.

As usual the nice always gets screwed in the end.

tham · 12-22-2005

That will be my last resort, as the adjuster has asked me to produce examples of bikes for sale in my general area & elsewhere.

Although most enthusiasts know the difference in value between the Oil in Frame bikes & say a 1970 Triumph.

That shouldnt come into play when they are trying to replace my machine.
So I have about 15 examples of bikes from So Cal. & Nor Cal that are all above $4500.00 & in similar condition to my bike before the accident.

I appreciate all the help & advice as I go through this.
It is hard to see all of my work go down the tubes because of the carelessness of someone else.

I rode this bike alot & absolutely loved it!

Pig9r · 12-22-2005

I take it you were able to avoid serious injury?

GrandPaulZ · 12-22-2005

Your adjuster needs to receive a call from your lawyer.

(I HATE LAWYERS, but sometimes they need to be involved)

The value of a vintage bike, especially a very collectible make and model such as your bike, is NOT dependent on geographical location. Even without you having insurance coverage for full value, the fact that you have meticulously recorded every expense (as I do, and have for nearly 60 of my 70 bikes in over 30 years), is sufficient proof that the bike is part of a collection, and has value beyond what an appraiser gives it, ESPECIALLY if you have done a lot of the work yourself.