Hitchcocks Forum

I'd be very grateful to read any experiences of putting a category C write off motorcycle back on the road. Cat C is deemed uneconomic to repair (ie repair cost is more than 60% of value) by the insurer. Insurers vary but may require the repair to be done by a qualified mechanic, newly MOTed and then independently inspected.It will certainly be marked on the insurance fraud register as a Cat C write off so could be a problem to sell (no intention of that) or more importantly reinsure. A Vehicle Identity Check isn't required for motorcycles but DVLA requires vehicles on the register to have a new MOT before road tax is deemed valid. All sensible precautions but a lot of hassle and potential future problems. My insurers Aviva have made no such demands but I'd value your experiences. Much as I'm attached to my wounded looked after from new 350 Classic 4speed 3000km only I'm wondering if my best course is to buy a replacement and use the broken one as a source of known quality spares. But I'd rather repair it. Thanks all.

I sympathise Geoff! What will it cost to buy back from the Insurance company? If it is "uneconomic to repair" in their words, it should be cheap for you. In which case, what have you got to lose? If it does turn out to be a problem in future (and by the sound of it, it won't,) you can always break it or sell it. Not what you'd do by your own account but it does suggest a way to get your money back if necessary? I'd go for it...

REgards, Mark

That's what I wanted to hear Mark! I've done a deal to have the bike back (arriving today) with cash enough for parts and to have repaired "professionally" though straight replacement of forks front wheel and mudguard not beyond me. No frame or yoke/casquette damage reported and wouldn't be cat C if there were. It was a very low speed incident. As you say not much to lose. And I do my duty by a well loved chum... Mr H gets some business too. Just needed a reassuring pat on the back! Thanks.

It has to be remembered "uneconomic to repair" usually involves a large labour cost in the insurance company estimate. That is a cost someone buying a "wreck" back from an insurance company does not have.
Many motor cycle "write offs," can be repaired fairly cheaply. Especially if the bike is remodelled to be more basic than the original.

The estimate is actually very realistic. Parts at Hitchcock prices near as dammit and 4 hours labour. (@ £50 per hour which sounds low.) But financially all doable. I'm just waiting for the cheque and written confirmation that my insurers are happy with my plan before I send my shopping list to Mr H.

The mechanic I use charges £28 an hour, and he is by a very long way the best mechanic in the area.

I'm glad that it now seems the bike will make it.



A few hours and you should be off riding again! (Maybe good to get a BLOODY loud horn for it)!

The idea of paying anyone for working on my bike is new to me PapaSmurf. One of my main reason for wanting to avoid fuel injection and the like and sticking with technology I understand. Your chap sounds worth looking after. Loud horn is on the shopping list Scalyback. A slight complication on getting the bike back at lunchtime is some new damage to the fuel tank and seat with a broken brake lever all done while in the tender care of BLD the insurance assessors. I've invited them to contribute significantly.