Friend Went down

[joekool4]

Some of you may know that I've been helping a friend with his 2006 gs500f. I just put new tires, chain and sprocket on it for him. Dealt with a carb flooding issue and  had him put a new air filter in it and change the oil. All of this work was done last month. Well two weeks ago a lady pulled out in front of him to make a left and froze. He hit the rear driver side door and flipped over the other vehicle. Luckily he only suffered a broken hand and a bump on the head. Anyway. This all leads me to the question. What front ends could be compatible without modification. The only real damage to the bike, that had been slightly street fighter ed, was the front end and the tail fairing. If they don't total it, it will need a new exhaust system, New forks, triple trees, wheel and brakes, and gauges and headlight.

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[lucas]

A GS front end

On the wiki there are some pictures and text about swaps

[Big Rich]

With "no" modifications? Nothing that I've seen.

I'm sure you already know this, but double and triple check that the frame is straight. Doesn't matter what front end you put on if it can't go in a straight line....

[joekool4]

We are kind of hoping they total it, he does not have insurance but the other driver does, and he's kind of tired of working nights and this being his only transportation. Police report says $5,000 in damages to the bike. I know with some bikes (same brand) the triple trees can be swapped out with different bearings. I didn't see any damage to the frame, but you bring up a good point of it being tweaked/twisted.

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[Bluesmudge]

The closest swap anyone has done is a 90's Katana front end. It still needs modification because the stem is too long. You also have to figure out a way to mount the gauges. Search the forum, there is a pretty good guide.

Sorry to hear about your friend, but glad to hear that the other driver had proper insurance and is clearly at fault.

[Daeouse]

He didn't have insurance? That could be a problem. . .

As for replacing the forks and such, from everything I've read and heard, any accident that's enough to total the forks will most likely cause frame damage. . .

[i8ball]

first off never drive with out basic coverage its dirt cheap on a 500 for a years worth. Second police reports don't ever tell what the true cost is they always over shoot. last year i was in a crash on mine and it was all front end damage being i had a fractured wrist i couldn't go about doing the work so i had my local shop do it. First you need to find a junk yard for bikes call them and ask if they have gs500 forks and look up the ones that will fit your year. second ask them if they have the upper and lower triple tree i got my forks and triple tree for all under 220$. The shop that did mine was either really nice to me or they don't take long to do cause i got charged under 200$ to have the new forks put on it was more cause i figure why not just have them do a oil change since it was there also.

[joekool4]

Thanks, and yeah I had suggested to him that he get insurance, my R6 was only 25 a month for full coverage and my vstar is close to 10. I've been browsing eBay and craigslist for the parts just in case. 

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[i8ball]

well if it is totaled he is not gonna get anything for it which sucks but front end damage is not the end of the world for these bikes at least.

[Bluesmudge]

What? That's not what totaled means.

If the insurance company calls it totaled, that means that it would cost them near the amount fix the bike that the bike was worth prior to the accident. This is an easy cost point to hit, so lots of bikes will be totaled even when they still run and only require cosmetic repairs.

For example, bent forks is any easy $250 fix in your home garage, but the insurance company will use the price of new Suzuki forks and shop rate to install them. Very quickly a $1500 bike will be considered totaled. Frame damage will always total a bike.

If they total it, you can sometimes ask the insurance company rep to just give you the maximum amount they would have spent, (lets say 90% of the bike's value) and not total the bike. The insurance company saves 10%, and you get to keep the bike without a salvage or rebuilt title. Fix the bike for cheap and pocket the rest of the money. That's the most efficient outcome for everyone.

This is only for the damage to the bike. Any additional monetary compensation for medical expenses, etc are handled separately. You can sign off on receiving the money for the bike and continue to negotiate for other compensation.