Assessment and Repairs - Matchless G9

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Stan Palmer
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Joined: Tue May 27, 2008 2:19 pm
Location: SURREY UK

Re: Assessment and Repairs - Matchless G9

Post by Stan Palmer »

Does the insured have any right to request an assessor suitably qualified for a classic machine ? I don't have any knowledge of the way they work, but would feel they may not use the same assessor for a Lamborghini as for a Ford escort ?

Stan
SPRIDDLER
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Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2004 1:00 am
Location: WEST SUSSEX UK

Re: Assessment and Repairs - Matchless G9

Post by SPRIDDLER »

Stan Palmer wrote:Does the insured have any right to request an assessor suitably qualified for a classic machine ? I don't have any knowledge of the way they work, but would feel they may not use the same assessor for a Lamborghini as for a Ford escort ?

Stan
Yes, Stan, the bike's your property so you don't need a 'right' to have its value/condition assessed.
I would imagine that assessors had expertise or experience in fairly specific types of vehicles.
After being told it was written off and had to be destroyed and being offered their ridiculous pre-accident valuation of £500 I thoroughly researched the assessor's company which was the one appointed by CN to handle the inspection. My strong suspicion was aroused that (and I can't be more specific in public) the assessor (it was his own company) may have had more than a passing and sub-contractor interest in the outcome.
I did appoint my own assessor, a classic bike rider and vintage vehicle enthusiast, which helped in getting £1000 payout and being able to keep and rebuild Marigold.
'There is a tide in the affairs of men
Which taken at the flood............'
G15 Roy
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Joined: Sun Jan 01, 1995 12:00 am
Location: ESSEX UK

Re: Assessment and Repairs - Matchless G9

Post by G15 Roy »

I have just helped a section member with the same problem and you need to be very careful what you say to these inspectors
As they will just want to Wright it off and walk away job done. He got a good pay out and the Salvage just as he wanted
Roy
Triumph-Legend
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Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 9:09 pm
Location: CAMBRIDGESHIRE UK

Re: Assessment and Repairs - Matchless G9

Post by Triumph-Legend »

Just a passing thought. Have a quick tally of the cost of the machines component parts cost at current prices. Here are a few 350GLC bits.

The last 50's comp fuel tank I saw, sold on Ebay for over £1000.00. And that was dented and in need of repair and repaint so add at least another £250.00.
A 1950 genuine 350 comp motor. Fine condition and completely overhauled. S/H cams. Suppose that must be about £2000.00. Probably a bit more.
Front forks, 1-1/8 with ally top yoke, completely rebuilt with new stanchions, bushes, new seal holders etc. All threads perfect. £450.00.
Rear Jampot shocks. Perfect comdition. rebuilt with new internal and external parts as required. £250 / £300.
Front Wheel. Excellent chrome rim. Rebuilt with stainless spokes, reconditioned 52 brake/hub assembly with ally backplate. £250.00
Rear wheel. Excellent chrome rim, rebuilt with stainless spokes. reconditioned brake and hub assembly. £220.00.
Genuine and original Smiths Chronmetric speedometer. Fully reconditioned. £250.00.
Burman GB gearbox, fully reconditioned, new parts as required. £280.00.
Pimary chain case assembly complete inner / outer and joining band. (original brass fitting on the joining band). £180.00.
Lucas comp (wader) magneto. fully reconditioned and in fine condition. £350.00.
Lucas EN3 dynamo. Fully reconditioned. £200.00.
Amal Monoblock carb. £170.00.
Clutch assembly complete. Excellent condition, rebuilt with new plate, centre, outer drum, inner hub, springs and adj screws. £220.00.


Good. Now add on all the cycle parts, Seat (excellent cond), Frame, front and rear comp mudguards and all mounting brackets. wiring loom, MU42 h/light assembly. oil tank, early comp foot pegs, L/H and R/H Kidney shape tool box. exhaust pipe and silencer. H/bars and all controls. Now add on the hundred and one smaller items that I have not listed.
You see where this is going. With any of classic bikes in good running condition, there is going to be a lot of value in the salvage. If yours is a standard road bike, the tin ware adds up to quite a lot as original parts are hard to find.

I have only used ball park idea of prices. I would be interested to see if anybody would give revised costs base on greater knowledge of current prices.
I know one thing for sure. I'll not be selling any of my bikes any time soon.
Last edited by Triumph-Legend on Fri Feb 26, 2021 9:32 am, edited 2 times in total.
njhking
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Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Nov 24, 2020 10:58 pm
Location: Essex UK

Re: Assessment and Repairs - Matchless G9

Post by njhking »

Assesor came today and was a pretty good experience, the generall feeling was that it can be repaired if the payout could be agreed. I reckoned £2000 should cover it. However, after he left I noticed the back wheel seem out of alignment. On further inspection it looks like the swinging arm is also twisted. Took some force to get the rear spindle out, which I knew was an easy opertion before as the tyres were replaced a couple of weeks ago. So possible Yoke and/or Head Stock and Swinging arm twisted or bent. Unbelievable considering if you took look you would not of thought it had been hit that hard. I will call ABBA Engineering again tomorrow and see how serious the repairs have become now the back end needs attention. Hopefully they can all be straigthen and I really want to keep her.
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