So easy to write off an older bike. Parts are expensive as is labour. Nothing mechanical could be wrong but a tank and bodywork puts it over a dollar threshold. Had this conversation with Dave Graff at New Life Cycle many times.
Just went through this. Bike got knocked over while parked and was technically 'totalled' as the cost to repair or replace the mostly cosmetic parts, was way more than the bike was worth. However, as there was nothing mechanically wrong with the bike, I came to an agreement with ICBC to keep the bike - untotaled- along with a cash settlement.
I did the same when I crashed my ‘77 KZ1000. Dented the tank, mirror, signal, exhaust. ICBC cut a check a few hundred under the write off threshold, and I repaired all that cosmetic stuff. The adjuster was quite sympathetic in helping same a classic bike from the scrap/auction sites.
