Biggest problems is getting insurance and if needed financing. The vehicle must be inspected, I think by a State Trooper before even allowed to be street legal. Of course if you ever plan to sell it, that will be a problem as well.

 

Many insurance companies will not write anything with salvaged title, check your company prior to pulling trigger. If your good buying it why not? Good Luck

 

I bought a Harley a few yrs ago , it was a 98 Fatboy FLSTS with an aftermarket frame. Everything HD except the frame. Well titled it wasnt a HD any longer. I didnt find out until I went to get insurance. Not the same value.

 

Run away from that deal. Harleys with good titles are easy to find.

 

Ins. companies don't buy undamaged bikes and resell them to customers just cause! At one time that bike was either stolen for a long time and recovered after claim was paid or it had a claim reaching 80% of the value of the bike and was totaled at that time and bought back.

 

Not a problem, I have bought, sold and insured many types of vehicles
with salvage titles. . We own three right now
lots of salvage titled bikes on the road. .

 

Have someone who knows that bike inside and out look at and ride the bike. They should be able to provide you with an opinion as to its condition. The salvage is only a paperwork issue that allows insurance companies to shed liability and to let buyers know of previous damage.

There are many great previously salvaged bikes on the road, and you'd be surprised at how little it can take to have a claim that results in salvage. When it's time for all the paperwork to be done, and it has been inspected by law enforcement, it will have a rebuilt title. If you look at the requirements for salvage certificates and rebuilt vehicles, you will see that there should be many more of them out there than there are currently. Many customized and restored vehicles should have salvage certificates or rebuilt titles as the law requires, but these are mainly used by insurance companies. As long as the bike is solid, and the price is right, jump on it. Don't go I to it thinking you will buy the bike cheap and then sell it for retail making a huge profit, that's not likely, but that also doesn't mean that its not still a great bike.

I've owned many previously salvaged vehicles that have been great cars. I once had an outboard that was salvage. it had a cracked lower unit. I sold it to a friend who put a jet lower on it and ran it for years. Always disclose the rebuilt title to future buyers so as not to open yourself up to a non disclosure claim. As long as you don't hide the facts, a buyer has no claim. Always get their signature on a form disclosing the rebuilt status for your protection.

The bikes title will be forever "branded" with a notation that says rebuilt on the title itself, otherwise it will look no different than any other title. A salvage certificate is not a title and requires several accompanying documents to be converted back to a title. Without all those documents and possibly some receipts, you may have trouble or it could be impossible to get a rebuilt title. Know what your buying, and get all the documentation. If the bike already has a branded title, you should be good to go.

Is the bike on a salvage certificate, or a rebuilt title? Two different things. Also some states have limited salvage certificates that only allow the vehicle to be parted out and can never be re titled for road use. Sometimes vehicles with non-rebuildable titles can make great hunting buggies if the price is right. Again, know what your buying, and if it checks out have fun with it.

 

I'm looking at a Harley today that has a salvage title....

The price is right...prob about 50% of retail value of this model, and it's setup just like I'd want.

Run away from that deal. Harleys with good titles are easy to find.

Not to be argumentative, but not everyone can or chooses to pay retail for what they buy. While not for everyone, some salvage vehicles can be great vehicles at bargain prices. I doubt you will find many nice non-salvage Harley's available at 50% of retail. Thats a big discount. Vehicles receive salvage certificates for many reasons, and not all salvage vehicles are bad. Some are pure junk, and others can be great values. It all depends on the specific vehicle in question. If you don't know what you buying, you can get burned, but that no different than any used vehicle purchase.

Salvage laws were put into place for two primary reasons; first to protect insurance companies, and second to let future buyers know what they are buying has been previously damaged. Obviously, not all sellers are honest, and its buyer beware, like anything else. I've seen many "blue titled" cars that have been wrecked and poorly repaired that I wouldn't touch with a 10' pole, and I've also seen salvage vehicles that had little or no damage.

The biggest thing is to know what you are buying. Not, just does it look good, but truely know what what your buying. The salvage laws are different in almost every state, so be sure before you buy.

Heck, by the letter of he law, its possible your race truck would be considered rebuilt.

 

Not to be argumentative, but not everyone can or chooses to pay retail for what they buy. While not for everyone, some salvage vehicles can be great vehicles at bargain prices. I doubt you will find many nice non-salvage Harley's available at 50% of retail. Thats a big discount. Vehicles receive salvage certificates for many reasons, and not all salvage vehicles are bad. Some are pure junk, and others can be great values. It all depends on the specific vehicle in question. If you don't know what you buying, you can get burned, but that no different than any used vehicle purchase.

Salvage laws were put into place for two primary reasons; first to protect insurance companies, and second to let future buyers know what they are buying has been previously damaged. Obviously, not all sellers are honest, and its buyer beware, like anything else. I've seen many "blue titled" cars that have been wrecked and poorly repaired that I wouldn't touch with a 10' pole, and I've also seen salvage vehicles that had little or no damage.

The biggest thing is to know what you are buying. Not, just does it look good, but truely know what what your buying. The salvage laws are different in almost every state, so be sure before you buy.

Heck, by the letter of he law, its possible your race truck would be considered rebuilt.

I think it is more along the logic, "IF IT SOUNDS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS"

 

I dont see any prob with it if it checks out. I have bought and sold alot of bikes with salvage titles also. Many times even the slightest paint scratch on the frame and they total the bike. Get the frame verified straight and good to go.

Also my experience on insurance is that they would insure with Liability only on a salvage title.

 

I would not sell one of our customers a salvage title vehicle, much less a motorcycle!

Salvage title means the structural integrity of the frame has been lost due to an accident, therefore salvaged. I would be super leery on a salvage title motorbike IMHO

 

Salvage title means the structural integrity of the frame has been lost due to an accident, therefore salvaged. I would be super leery on a salvage title motorbike IMHO

This is absolutely NOT true. Well, okay it is true that WILL cause a salvage title, but I have personally seen many bikes with salvage titles that I know never had any structural or frame damage. That is definitely not the only reason (especially with motorcycles) for salvage titles.

 

I don't care how nice it is or if you can get it insured. There are still a lot of Harleys with clean titles out there.

 

Or for 50% off but it and a good frame and have a little winter time project and then have a new bike!

 

Salvage title trades in a retail dealership are considered wholesale and go straight to auction or are wholesaled to small independent dealers who make their living off of these types of units. A vehicle can be deemed salvage for several reasons; we raise the vehicle on a lift and have these types of units evaluated for structural integrity by certified mechanics. In my years in the car business, 99.999 % of salvage title automobiles brought to us for trades have had the frame compromised due to heavy damage; this is where I gather my info, and like you stated in your post to each his own on new, used or salvage title units.


Having said that, I reiterate, I would not drive my family in a salvage titled unit nor would my children drive one.....

 

Anyone ever seen an old classic resurrected from a farm field and turned into a desirable beauty? It happens every day. Most of those vehicles meet the definition of salvage as seen by the laws.

That's what my Dodge Little Red Express truck was. I bought it totaled, had it restored, worked on it myself too and got a salvage title for it. Because it was over 25 years old, I registered it as an antique to avoid yearly inspections. When it came time to race, I decided it wasn't safe for that, and sold it. All it takes to get my race truck street legal is an inspection and I pay for the tags. Inspections are going to get hugely complicated come March because without them, you will not be able to renew nor get tags for it. Bikes are a bit different right now and only have to pass a safety only inspection. Look for that to be phased out too since things are changing.

Buying something is largely driven by emotion or fear. Emotion is the wow factor and the fear part is fear of missing out on something. That being said, if it makes you happy, then buy it. Many a boat, airplane, truck, car and bike have been bought for no good reason. It's what makes life fun. Most bikes need a new set of tires and a new battery from sitting around. Just a heads up on bikes. I have bought and sold a few over the years.

 

If a Harley, (especially a bagger) is more than 5 or six years old, it is really easy to get it totaled in a minor accident. The cost of the fairings, bags, trunk, tanks, and forks adds up quickly to be more than the residual value. Those parts are all easily damaged in even minor accidents if the bike hits the ground. The things you have to check is the engine cradle alignment to frame (since that also holds the rear swingarm) and be sure the frame is not kinked behind the neck. To do that you pull the tank off. If it was good in those two areas, I'd be fine with buying a salvage titled HD. But you will never get the same resale value EVER.

 

Every state is different, as is every ins company. Regardless, they all use a total loss threshold to determine when it's time to total a vehicle.
In Texas state law says when the damage is 100% of the vehicle pre-accident value, the vehicle must be totaled. What that means is insurance companies have a very large total loss window in Texas.

I have owned a few salvage vehicles, you roll the dice, you takes your chances.
Low cost doesn't always mean it's a good deal.

 

Also, a salvage title has nothing to do with an insurance company limiting their liability.
The state DMV's mandate a new salvage title be issued upon a total loss.
Regardless of weather it goes to a wrecking yard, auction, owner buys back....doesn't matter.
Once totaled, the insurance company now owns said vehicle and will be selling it to someone else, even for scrap.
It has to be branded as such.

Also, a very common total loss without a scratch is flood damage.

 

Also, a salvage title has nothing to do with an insurance company limiting their liability.

The state DMV's mandate a new salvage title be issued upon a total loss.
Regardless of weather it goes to a wrecking yard, auction, owner buys back....doesn't matter.
Once totaled, the insurance company now owns said vehicle and will be selling it to someone else, even for scrap.
It has to be branded as such.

Also, a very common total loss without a scratch is flood damage.

Who do you think lobbied the state to pass those laws? Answer: Insurance companies.

In years past, insurance companies have been sued for damaged and unsafe vehicle that had been returned to the road. Those suits resulted in huge losses for the insurance companies. By getting salvage laws with their best interests put in place, insurance companies can now sell off damaged vehicles without recourse. The sale of salvage is a huge source of revenue for insurance companies. Even more so with the ability to shed their exposure to liability via salvage certificates. Insurance is big business with deep lobbying pockets. The disclosures are good for consumers, but even better for insurance companies.

 

I have seen several bikes totaled by a bent foot peg. Most insurance claims people know zero about bikes. Insurance easy for stated value instead of bluebook. Have tried to finance one but a personal loan with the bike as collateral will probably work.give it latest ride with the no hands test. If she tracks straight go for it.

 

I would be willing to bet you can't name ONE bike totaled over a "Bent Foot Peg" much less several.

I quit reading there, because you my friend may not be a liar, but you sure as h*** ain't one for the truth.

(now in fairness, you may have been told this by people and believed it, but in that case you are NAIVE and should avoid, car lots, poker games, carnivals, or the big city)

 

This is very interesting, we have been rebuilding salvage vehicles for 40
years .. structural integrity, safety, reliability are all legitimate concerns
But It all starts with the numbers . They have something at auctions called
Not for rebuilding. If a certain percentage of the actual cash value is reached, say 65%
With state farm for example. Then it will be deemed not repairable .. which means rebuilders
line up at the chance to get a newer vehicle at a great price.. the green title is the price
we pay for having the resources to purchase and return vehicles to
safe sellable driving condition IMO everyone wins especially the guy
who gets to drive the initial value out it.at a fraction of the cost..
not "repairable and not for "rebuilding " are very different.
A light hit and a cracked frame will take a truck off the road forever
but a parts heavy estimate on a side swipe on a guardrail will be to expensive
to repair based on the salvage value..but it's an easy fix..frame damage has nothing specific to do with a salvage title ... I have nearly thirty years repairing wrecks
estimating repairs , a licensed dealer, and a licensed all
lines insurance adjuster...but what do I know I drive a wrecked truck....

 

I think there is a disconnect in this thread with some people replying based on their knowledge of salvaged cars/trucks and assuming it's the same in the motorcycle world.

I wanted others opinions on the subject of a rebuilt Harley. Not a car/truck, not a jap crotch rocket, just a Harley. I think from the research I've been doing what I'm seeing is that there are a LOT of "salvage" Harleys out there because the cost estimated to replace the sheetmetal and say a new pair of forks in the insurance company's opinions exceeds the ROI they can get from the bike when reselling it. If you take into consideration they (insurance companies) will be purchasing all HD OEM equipment at full retail plus labor and all that costs...I can kind of see their point. A bike that might cost them (theoretically) $7-8,000 to repair back to original OEM condition may only cost the independent mechanic a couple grand to $3,000 (or less if they have parts lying around) to repair. To the insurance company it's more cost effective to pay out the claim of the insured and then auction off the bike as-is with a salvage title for someone else to rebuild at a lower independent cost.

This is how I see it now that I've done more reading and research on them...but I'm by no means educated or experienced in the bike insurance/building business.

 

I think there is a disconnect in this thread with some people replying based on their knowledge of salvaged cars/trucks and assuming it's the same in the motorcycle world.

I wanted others opinions on the subject of a rebuilt Harley. Not a car/truck, not a jap crotch rocket, just a Harley. I think from the research I've been doing what I'm seeing is that there are a LOT of "salvage" Harleys out there because the cost estimated to replace the sheetmetal and say a new pair of forks in the insurance company's opinions exceeds the ROI they can get from the bike when reselling it. If you take into consideration they (insurance companies) will be purchasing all HD OEM equipment at full retail plus labor and all that costs...I can kind of see their point. A bike that might cost them (theoretically) $7-8,000 to repair back to original OEM condition may only cost the independent mechanic a couple grand to $3,000 (or less if they have parts lying around) to repair. To the insurance company it's more cost effective to pay out the claim of the insured and then auction off the bike as-is with a salvage title for someone else to rebuild at a lower independent cost.

This is how I see it now that I've done more reading and research on them...but I'm by no means educated or experienced in the bike insurance/building business.

Yes, pretty much this above, not to mention $2500 - $3000 to match the factory paint if it is non-black, along with any bling the owner added.