recovered stolen bike

Hi there,

My stolen bike (from brisbane, about 8 months ago) turned up in some drug dealer's back shed a week or so ago. I signed the bike over to the insurance company when they replaced it, but now it's turned up, the insurer has offered me first right of refusal to purchase the old one. Otherwise it just goes into the public auction, as is. They won't even try to start it beforehand.

The copper doesn't know much about bikes, but as far as he can see, only the ignition was damaged (and obviously steering lock, seat lock), and I can't see there being too many extra miles on it being as it was a stolen vehicle (it had about 13,500k's when nicked. It's a 2012 model).

I'd find it pretty hard to justify to the wife having two identical bikes in the garage, and I don't know what's involved in repairing/replacing the ignition, but I presume it can't be too difficult to do, even if I just drop it at the stealers.

Anybody got any idea if this is worth doing from a money-making perspective? Or alternatively, anybody interested in buying it from the insurer? I could possibly swing that.

Best advice I can give you is ring a dealer to find out what the parts would set you back.
Replacing the bits is not that hard. Ignition lock needs drilling out the bolts as they are anti theft ( that worked! ) and you need new ones to replace them.
I would also calculate in some other bits like a battery (fooked from standing still) and some cosmetic damaged stuff from rough treatment. (like seat ripped off to get to electrics, indicators broken from putting it on the side and the like)
Find out what the insurance company wants for it and do the maths. If you decide to go ahead with it order the parts from the states or so later and save yourself a bom which will give you some spare $$ to fix some other stuff you find wrong with it. Look around on the usual sites to find out what the second hand value is before taking the plunge also. Keep in mind they are dropping due to new model and people trading in or selling to upgrade.

Personal I'll stay away from anything that has been stolen as mostly it has had the "not mine" treatment and has been trashed. All depends on the price really.

If anything at all, I would try to decide if the insurance is going to give you a really good deal on it to you and if you'd be able to turn a quick profit off of it. That way if you don't decide to keep it, you'll at least be making money (which is never a bad thing)

See how much it will cost to buy back and replace parts then sell it on might make some money back.

Where are you? If you are UK based I might possibly be interested.

Sorry, just seen the Brisbane thing.

Are you able to get to have a look at it yourself?
If the copper doesn't know much about bikes, I would want to have some peace of mind and assess the damage (if only cosmetic) myself.

Plenty of us out there who like projects!
Buy it from the insurance co. and sell it as is.
Take wife on Holiday with profit.

Win, Win.

Thanks for the advice guys. Yep, if it's a steal (hehe) price wise, I reckon I'll go for it. I'm not too fussed about somebody riding it like they stole it. If ever a bike was built to be ridden that way, the SD is it.

Cheers. I'll let you know how it works out.

Buy it back and turn it into your track only bike. You won't have to replace so many parts.

Hi Sean PM sent.