Stolen bike recovered, engine knocking noise + low oil level

[Az]

So, my friends Zontes Panther 125 got stolen, it got recovered by the police (and he had to pay £170 to get it back!?).

We looked over the bike and the issues were: ignition barrel gone, key hole in petrol cap had been rammed through with a screw driver, throttle cable snapped (now replaced) and the engine was really low on oil (now topped up).

He started it when he got it back home by bodging some wires and using the kick start. It started after a few kicks (but bumps first time) and there was a knocking noise from the top end of the engine.
Checked the engine oil level, it was extremely low, the little 125 took 500ml of oil to get the oil level to minimum on the sight glass, I believe its oil capacity is around 1L. The bike was in the thieves hands for roughly 1 week. The bike had no running issues before it was stolen.

So, even with the engine topped up with oil it still makes this knocking noise, so assuming it's permanent damage is it time to replace the engine?

TL:DR We believe the bike was ragged around with low oil level (the oil level was fine before it was stolen but for some reason the bike's lost oil), knocking noise from the top end of the engine.
What could the damage be?

[P.]

It is chinese, therefore likely scrap now.

You could have disputed paying the money, but he has been analised already now... so forget that

[G]

Could well be big end bearings gone.

What were the charges to make up that £175? Sounds like they might have charged you for a car not a bike.

[Az]

[Clutchy]

Meh I'd ride it till it became a problem, not like the bike is worth much
____________________
Malaguti F12 Phantom-Dead, Suzuki AY50- Dead, NRG power DD LQ, CBR125.
*33 BHP restriction up on 10/12/14* Current bikes/car: SV 650 S/ MKIV GOLF
Guide to pass your test with no lessons!

[Rogerborg]

Bike, dunno.

The charge is bogus. They can charge the person who left the bike in the place from where it was recovered, i.e. the thief, not your chum.

If I think there's a real chance that he will invoice and sue the local Plod to recover the money that they have extorted from him, I'll take the time to cite the law. Surprise me.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[G]

[MattEMulsion]

They've ragged it and knackered the engine. Tell him to put in an insurance claim and he'll be able to get all of his costs back too.
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Yamaha YZF-R6

[G]

[Az]

He was insured for third party only

[MattEMulsion]

[G]

[Easter Bunny]

Tell the fuckers you've already paid for the recovery in your council tax ffs I don't often say it but what is this country coming to when victims have to pay to retrieve their property??

Maybe they should use the proceeds of crime to pay for it
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The light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming train!

[Az]

[Rogerborg]

I've already told you that it's a bogus charge. He's not responsible for paying it. Just because everyone involved in the racket says it's so doesn't make it so.

Knowing full well that I'm wasting my time, I would draw your attention to Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 S102.

Recovery is from "any person responsible".

"person responsible", in relation to a vehicle, means—

(a) the owner of the vehicle at the time when it was put in the place from which it was removed as mentioned in subsection (1) above, unless he shows that he was not concerned in, and did not know of, its being put there;

(b) any person by whom the vehicle was put in that place;


Perhaps that's been amended. That would be a case for the person who blackmailed your chum to make.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[G]

[craisin]

I would say the oil ran out cause they layed it down in a car.
my 2012 scooter got stolen 7000ks and its rooted cost me $200 to get it back
We put it in my mates car and hoped no oil would run out you can guess why it didnt

[Rogerborg]

[-]

[craisin]

[Rogerborg]

I'm sure he's trying to communicate, and it's almost as though I can understand him.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[JonnySumo]

Old thread, but current problem! My son has just recovered his Maverick that had 600miles on but has been raced for 150 miles over 24 hours!

Got it back after a bit of a scuffle

On idol it sounds similar. But on revs it now sounds dull and muffled

Engine management light is not on, but when we got it back it was running very hot after a police chase!

He doesn’t want to claim on insurance so we are left with trying to fix ourselves but it starts and rides but now sounds very different

Aside from the obvious “it’s fooked” comments… anything constructive to do or check please?
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Dad to a teenage Herald Maverick 125

[MarJay]