Buying a crashed bike.......

[SimonJ]

I'm thinking of buying a written off bike, as a cheap way of getting on the road.

Any advice, good idea, stupid idea etc?

I am a mechanic, so should have no problem getting it fixed, (never worked on a bike though!)
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Is this where the sig goes then?

[McJamweasel]

It depends on how badly damaged it is.

Make sure you check everything over as much as you can, if you don't know bikes then take someone who does. Depending on the bike, forks can be got for around £100 if they are bent, fairings can be very costly to replace. If its taken a heavy impact then it will be worth checking the frame is straight.
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

[Ste]

There are different classes of write off's, so have a read through [this so you know what the differences between them all are.

[Frost]

buying a broken bike and fixing it is a great, cheap way of getting on the road. the last time i saw someone do they they bougtha a bike which had been in a head on argument with a wall. after replacing the front wheel and forks the thing was good as new. overall the bike cost £1000 less than just buying the same bike from a dealers.

bikes aren't difficult to work on so long as they are old and basic. when it comes to newer kit then ebing a bike specialist really does help alot.

[McJamweasel]

Oh yeah, just a warning. Do not buy an Aprilia RSV Mille that has been in a front end impact, even if repaired - the frames tend to crack at the headstock.
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

[priller]

Unless you can do most of the work yourslef and the bike is very cheap insurance right offs aint normally worth the effort.

If you bought a bike for £1000 that was worth £2000 in good condition. By the time you've spend £500 in parts to get a working bike its still going to be registered as a write off, so you're going to have a hard time selling it on again.

[SimonJ]