Need some advise on repairing the Kava mauler

[mimmo66]

Well, just checked the r65LS a little better and found out that the impact has sheared off the tang off the steering stem keeping the handlebars from going into the tank, the front wheel is busted as well as all the front superstructure, and to top it off the triangular pieces
anchoring the frame to the steering stem have some bulging.

I don't know yet if this will affect the geometry of the steering stem or not, but it does not look promising.

I will drop it off to my mechanic this week hoping for the best.

Will be sad to see her go with 5 years of time and dedication invested into this vehicle.


Learned Tip #1

. Do not let the insurance come to your place to have you sign any paper, the reason behind it is that they can make any assesment on your personal injuries and shave few bucks from your claims.

Best,
Domenico
 

[Bob_Roller]

The advice that I got about 8 years ago when I had a collision with my oilhead, this was from a person that had been managing a claims center for State Farm insurance here in Phoenix for 28 years, was not to say anything to a claims adjuster when they called, just ask them who your attorney should contact when you get all of your paperwork in order .

He did stress that you need an attorney, especially if you are injured and out of work for more than a week or two .

Not to sound too negative, but with the frame damage, it's time to let this bike go, you're going to put a lot of money into it and it's not going to be right when you're done .

There's other R65LS's out there, just keep your ears and eyes open and the right one will come your way !!

There's a silver LS on Craigslist in the San Francisco area for about the last month, asking $1900 for it .

[nhmaf]

Keep your eyes and ears open on ebay, IBMWR, Craigslist, etc. for another R65 or R65LS for the right price and you can use the parts you have to build up a great bike again, and sell off what bits you don't need.
You may find a good straight frame for sale on those sources with a title for low money - I wouldn't bother to try to fix one that is as bent as yours is as it will run into much more $$.   The good news is, ANY R65 frame from 81-84 will do just fine as a replacement.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

And keep the centerstand!

[mimmo66]

It's very sad.

She was just like I wanted it to be.

Only put on 20k in 5 years, wish I could have had it for another 5 at least.

All the upgrades and custom paint jobs I had put on it will all go into the dump, unless I'll buy it back as a totaled bike for spare parts.

I now hate Kawa riders!

Dom

[nhmaf]

Check your msgs - I found a possible source for a straight frame, forks and brakes from an R65LS on BMWMOA flea market...

[mimmo66]

Thank you,
I'll send an email and take it from there.

What bothers me is that I will be at loss. $2700 for bike + $5500 for updates and improvements over 5 years.

I doubt the insurance compensation will even come close to a third of that, as soon as they'll se the tally they will want to total it.

 

[Bob_Roller]

That's the reason I got collectors insurance on the R65's, there is an agreed on value when the policy is taken out on the bike, if the bike is destroyed or stolen you get the agreed upon value .

The '81 is valued at $5500US, the '82 LS $7500US .

Only problem with collectors insurance, is that if you don't have an 'every day' bike, they won't issue a policy until you do have one .

[k_enn]

Regarding agree upon value -- check different insurers.  I have a policy with Progressive (not a collectors/historic policy) with an agreed upon value provision.  I suspect it was available because the bike qualifies as historic in my state, even though it is not registered as historic.