Frame Swap (salvage to clean title) S2R 800

[juddster]

Hello everyone,

Wanted to post a question in hopes to get some input and maybe info from somebody who has done what I am thinking about doing.

I have a salvage title on my bike which I restored and am now riding. I have kept my eyes out for a clean title frame so that I can swap the frames so that I have a bike with a clean title with the ultimate goal of adding some value to the bike if at some point I want to sell the bike. Don't mind doing the work, in fact I would enjoy it.

Has anyone ever done this? Did it add the value that you thought it would? What about mileage issues between the frames? Other issues?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[EEL]

Thats a lot of work for a few bucks. You're pretty much hosed with a salvage title. Reality is that you wont get much more for a clean title bike. The problem is that the engine number wont match with the frame. And in some states, that might be a problem.

My last bike was a salvage title. In fact, I bought it that way. Basically If you have a salvage title stamped on your bike, the best option is to hold on to it for as long as you can and run it to the ground.

Imaginary Example:

I can guarantee you that a 1994 ducati monster with 80000 miles and a clean title is worth the same as a 1994 ducati monster w/ 80k and a salvage title.

Your second best option is to part the thing out. Thats what I did with my old bike. That nearly paid for the cost of the entire purchase. Its just takes a little more patience.

[clubhousemotorsports]

I think if you get the frame cheap enough and you want to do it go ahead. will it be worth a lot more?  depends totally on the person buying the bike. I have a ton on experience with salvage bikes ( I own three of them) I know what it takes to total a Ducati VS what it takes to destroy a Ducati.  I personally do not care if my bikes have a salvage title because I buy them to ride and not re-sell.

Will changing the frame make the bike better? only on that little piece of paper. For some that is a big issue , many people think of a machine being unsafe if it has been totaled. I even used to have customers that would sell a bike as soon as they tipped it over because it would never be the same after falling over. That's okay it just means better deals for me.

Another way to think of it.
1. If you totaled the bike you probably received a decent sized check for the  bike you bought it back but still have money to ease your pain. think of this as the money you would have gotten if the bike did not have a salvage title.
2. If you purchased a salvage bike you should have paid a lower price to begin with so no loss there.

I say if it bothers you or you just want to do it for the adventure of it all why not?

[DuciD03]

Salvage title bikes are on the whole just fine; only that they've been in an accident; to get back on the road they have to pass a mechanical and safety inspection.  Its easy to "total loss" a bike; compared to a car; dingged tank; scratched engine cases; seat etc adds up quickly; but its all aesthetic stuff but doesn't affect the mechanical workings of bike.  That being said a crashed bike needs a through going over to make sure its mechanically sound before going back on the road.

To change the frame so you have a clear title?  I wouldn't bother; I'd be much more concerned with mismatched Vin numbers than a salvage title on a bike I was going to purchase.  How much more would you get for the bike? 10% maybe?

One things for sure eventually all vehicles will be salvage ... my 2 cents

[clubhousemotorsports]

Fyi ducati VIN numbers are not matched.
ducati and the DMV may have a master list but there is no engine numbers on any of my titles and the engine numbers have nothing to do with the frame numbers.
It is common for an engine to be built (stamped ) in advance of a frame, very common to see prior year motors in the bikes.

[Duck-Stew]

Fyi ducati VIN numbers are not matched.
ducati and the DMV may have a master list but there is no engine numbers on any of my titles and the engine numbers have nothing to do with the frame numbers.
It is common for an engine to be built (stamped ) in advance of a frame, very common to see prior year motors in the bikes.

California titles have the engine #'s on them BTW...

[clubhousemotorsports]

coming from the left coast I can believe it  lol

what do people have to do when swapping motors?
 inspections from your DMV?

a frame swap should be the same if it is all legitimate, just more paperwork.

probably will make it out to the east soon enough.