Automotive Blog

After winning the bid and scheduling the pick up (detailed in Parts 1, 2, and 3), it was time to get down to business and check out the 2002 Magna, a motorcycle whose history I was still unable to totally track down. Still, it was time to go.

Ideally, I would have preferred to register the bike and just ride it. This would allow me to get a better feel for the bike over the long haul. But there were two reasons why this couldn't happen:

1. A salvage bike cannot be registered in New York State (NYS) until it goes through a special inspection by the NYS Anti-Theft and Salvage Unit. At best, you can apply for a five-day temporary transport pass, but that's only so you can drive the vehicle to its inspection.

2. The bike is a rebuilt salvage with a relatively unknown history. Trying it out for the first time on the NYS Thruway (I-90) for about 250 miles was not where I wanted to get a feel for it. Granted, I would have to drive 40 miles on some beautifully windy back roads before I made it to the Thruway, but being by myself on this trip and not being able to get a transport pass until the DMV schedules my inspection appointment (somewhere between two weeks and three months) made all of this a moot point anyway.

Lesson #3: If a seller's listed location is vague (in this case, "Western, NY"), just ask what town they live in.

When I was bidding on the bike, I set mileage parameters (as I normally do) because I wasn't going to drive to Virginia or fly to Utah to pick it up. My motivation for buying a bike is mostly economics – an alternative to the thirsty 4.7 Magnum V8 in my Dodge Ram. Driving 2000 miles or even 1200 miles round-trip would be a serious added expense. Since the point of buying a rebuilt salvage was to get a better bike than my regular budget would allow, such travel would be counterproductive. Money spent on gas came directly out of "The Bike Fund", which already would have to absorb the $205 inspection fee (by NYS Anti-Theft and Salvage).

Needless to say, I didn't check-in with the buyer since I assumed that "Western, NY" meant Rochester or Buffalo. But I was wrong. South Dayton, the town where I was to pick up the bike, was 325 miles away. Towing a trailer that far would kill my gas mileage! But because this was an oversight on my part, there was little that I could do about it. With gas prices soaring, the seller had little interest in meeting me for an exchange unless I was willing to pay for his mileage.

Lesson #4: Corporate mileage reimbursement is a good thing.

Luckily, I was able to coordinate pick-up with a work meeting that my wife had in Syracuse. There was also a family member in that area with a flatbed trailer, so I knew I could save some fuel costs and avoid a serious hit to the gas budget on the trip. My wife would be reimbursed for my taking her to and from her meeting, and I could avoid towing for the first 125 miles.

My Hypermiling Experiment

I had wanted to put hypermiling to the test, so I thought this was a good opportunity. Generally, I can get about 300-325 mpg in my truck, totally unloaded (with myself as the only passenger) and exclusively on the highway. By observing some of the essential beliefs of hypermiling (slow acceleration, plan-ahead vision to reduce braking, clearing out unnecessary weight from the vehicle, avoid towing as much as possible), I was able to make it over 300 miles, towing a 5' x 12' single-axle trailer for the last 200 miles of the trip.

Checking Out the Bike

So, somewhere deep in the heart of partially-Amish South Dayton, NY, I finally found the owners and inspected the bike. I went over it with all of the advice I received after posting a question on CR4's Automotive Forum. I checked glass for water damage, looked over the paint in hard-to-see places, checked the forks and braked hard to see if there was any pull with the handlebars. From my limited knowledge, the bike was immaculate.

Checking Out the Owner

When I asked questions about the bike, Sue (one owner) gave the same ones that Keith (the other owner) had given over the phone earlier. But their answers weren't so similar that they sounded rehearsed. Sue explained that rehabbing salvage bikes was their hobby, and showed off several projects that were in various stages of completion.

I don't know a lot about bikes, but I do feel that I know people fairly well. I spent as much time studying Sue as I did the bike. She gave off a sincere, honest persona and when I had questions about the process, she surprised me by having all of the paperwork that I would need from the DMV already printed out, filled out, and ready to go. All I had to do was fill in my info.

Sue then walked me through the process of getting it inspected and registered, making sure that I had her e-mail and cell phone number in case I had any questions. She also noted that the last two of their salvage sale bikes had been registered in NYS in just one month from submission of the application. I was excited to hear this, as I had heard it could take up to five months, a time frame which meant I might not be able to ride my new bike until next spring!

Loading and Securing

The simplicity of securing a motorcycle on a trailer astounds me. I drove the bike up the ramp to the front of the trailer. Using two ratchet straps, I fished each around one of the forks, between the fork and the front wheel, and then hooked both ends to the tie-down loop directly forward. This held the bike secure to the front of the trailer and minimized movement of the front wheel, limiting the risk of the handlebars whipping back and forth. I ratcheted the front wheel until I notice some compression from the front shocks.

Because the bike is relatively heavy (550 lbs) and was listing slightly to the left (where I had it supported by the kick stand since I was loading it by myself), I also used one strap to bring the bike back upright so I could put the kickstand up. This also helped limit any chance of the back end hopping around, but previous experience suggested that this wouldn't be much of an issue. Later in the trip, as a precaution, I added a fourth strap and doubled up over the saddle (just to keep everything pressing down on the trailer), but that was probably unnecessary.

Despite hitting some gnarly pot holes on my way out of South Dayton, the bike stayed secure and transported beautifully. Particularly gratifying was how the highly-polished chrome on the speedometer caught the sun and flashed continually in the rear-view mirror, catching my attention for the entire return trip. So far, this has been a great process and I eagerly wanted to complete the next step, an application for inspection, so I could get this baby on the road!

If you read Part 1 and Part 2 of this epic journey about getting a salvaged bike back on the road, you know it started when repair costs to my old '84 Honda Magna VF700 became cost prohibitive. So I decided to take the money I had and get a motorcycle that was significantly younger. To do that at a price I could afford (and without taking on another loan), I had to get creative. So I bought a 2002 Honda Magna VF750 that had a rebuilt salvage title from the State of Texas. And then the second thoughts began to creep in.

What is a Salvage Title?

Each state has a different take on this, but it boils down to the following. If a bike sustained damage that exceeds 75% of its retail value, it is "totaled" by the insurance company. A private buyer may then buy the bike and fix it, but the motorcycle will have the term "salvage" (or in some states "rebuilt salvage") on the title for the rest of its life. Some insurance companies call this a "dirty title".

There are many cons to having a dirty title. For example, the state of New York (NYS) will not just accept a Rebuilt Salvage Title from Texas. The bike has to be inspected by a special anti-theft division of the NYS DMV before it can be registered. I heard horror stories about people spending 4-6 months trying to get such matters resolved, so the route I took was a calculated risk.

Buying a rebuilt salvage bike can also be costly. In NYS, the salvage inspection runs about $200. Also, once a vehicle is salvaged, it cannot have comprehensive coverage added (at least with most insurance companies), so be careful. If you spend big money on a salvaged bike and crash it at no one else's fault, you're out of luck. (Thanks to my sister, a State Farm employee, for filling me in on some of these finer points.)

CR4's Automotive Forum Mobilizes!

As I wrote in my last blog, I realized that all I needed to do to get feedback and suggestions was to post a question on CR4's Automotive Forum. There were all sorts of responses, but most were encouraging and informative. Once I provided some pictures and some specs about the bike, CR4ers described what to look for, such as braking during the test drive at over 30 MPH (to feel for a pull in the steering, which would indicate bent forks). Another poster even priced out the added value items from upgrades such as a Corbin Gunfighter seat and Saddlemen saddle bags, so I could get a better idea of the bike's total value. This information was particularly helpful since Kelley's Blue Book put the base model at $4455 (assuming a clean title - which it doesn't have) and 31,000 miles (28,000 miles more than it does have).

I also heard both horror and success stories about people's experiences and what the process was like in different states. Some suggested that I "drop it like a hot potato" while another pointed out that I should just do "everything needed to make sure it has not been stolen; other than that GO FOR IT!!!!" After reading a copious amount of advice, I felt much more prepared to speak with the seller and ask questions from an informed position. Posters asked that I keep them updated, so I decided to dedicate a series of blog entries to this purpose.

Lesson #2: I also e-mailed another buyer who bought a salvaged bike from this seller and asked him about his experience. He reported that everything worked out for him and he was pleased with the transaction.

Finally, I called the seller and we had a chat. Remembering the advice from CR4ers, I asked questions and relied on my instincts to see if I was dealing with a genuine person or "Joey Usedcardealer". The seller in question fixes salvage bikes as a hobby and was able to answer all of my questions without hesitation. He legitimately sounded sincere. With a pickup scheduled and questions answered, it was now time to go get the bike and see it in person for the first time.

It was supposed to be a joyous ride home from work. Even though it was sweltering outside, I could take comfort in my cars air conditioning. Then I sat in my extremely warm car and turned it on, rushing to hit the A/C button. As increasingly warm air hit me, I knew it wasn't going to be the pleasant ride home that I thought it would be.

That left me with the windows down for the duration of my ride home. I consulted my father and his first reaction was that there must be a hole (even though we couldn't spot one), so we proceeded to buy refrigerant and sealer from the store. The very next day, when we were going to fix the hole, we noticed that there was a different problem.

The compressor wasn't turning when I hit the A/C button. We figured that there was a distinct possibility that it wasn't getting power. This led us to check every fuse that affected the air conditioning system. None of them were broken. We even used my multimeter to check them, but none of the fuses were dead.

We were stumped. The next day, my father got the idea from his friend to check the direct power line. We measured the voltage coming out when the A/C button was on and it seemed to be fine. We didn't know the exact voltage necessary, but the important part at the time was that there was voltage. My father plugged it back in. I hoped for a miracle as I turned on the A/C and I heard my father yell something.

It was very miraculous indeed. The compressor was turning! My father took out a small wire brush and cleaned the contacts of the plug, careful not to bend or break them. So what was originally thought to be a hole in the system turned out to be an electrically bad contact.

So before you jump to conclusions and buy unnecessary equipment the next time your A/C breaks down, make sure that everything is electrically stable. It could be as simple as replacing a fuse or cleaning contacts to a plug.

If you read the first part of this epic journey about getting a salvaged bike back on the road, you know it started when repair costs to my old '84 Honda Magna VF700 became cost prohibitive. So I decided to take the money I had and shoot for the stars. The problem with shooting for the stars, however, is that you have a greater risk of crashing. My goal was to get a motorcycle that was significantly younger than what I already had and at a price that I could afford - without taking on another loan.

That left the option of buying a bike that had been designated as a salvage. I'll be the first to admit that I don't know much about motorcycles and have been riding for a little more than one year. So getting into something like this was nerve-wracking because I had to break the bank (savings wise) to get this done. My original intention was a more economical means of commuting than my Dodge Ram. With the Ram getting 13-14 MPG and the '84 getting 37-39 over the same roads, it was worth it.

Rising Costs of Fuel Equal Rising Costs of Bikes

It's amazing the difference a year can make in terms of the prices of motorcycles. Apparently, I am not the only one looking to shave fuel expenses. In early summer of 2007, lower-cost bikes that were mechanically sound (and cosmetically past their prime) were plentiful and could be had for under $1,000 - or even $2,000 if you wanted a newer, nicer-looking one. A year later, prices had jumped by upwards of 50%. I saw bikes similar to what I purchased in '07 going for $1500 - $1800, compared to the $650 I shelled out a year earlier.

Taking the Plunge

I really like my old Magna. All the Magna owners I've talked to love theirs as well. Would I have liked to buy a Victory Kingpin? Sure. But the 2001 in my town was going for a "bargain" price of $6900. I was looking at a ceiling closer to $2000. That didn't leave too much within a reasonable driving distance that fit the bill. So, I ended up setting my sights on a 2002 Honda Magna VF750. The only reason it was even in my price range (around $1750 when I found the listing) was that it was designated as a rebuilt salvaged bike by the State of Texas. According to the listing, it had been bought privately by the current owner and the former owner had purchased it from an insurance company. The listing also added:

"2002 750 Honda Magna with a Texas Rebuilt Salvage Title…When we bough the bike the odometer and turn signals were broken. We replaced the odometer with a EBay set with 29,000 miles on it, but bike has 3,000 actual miles on it. The turn signals are from a 2006 Honda VTX. We also added a Honda Line Read Back Rest and a luggage rack. Saddlemen Bags were also added...New Corbin Gunfighter Custom Flamed Seat- Also new chrome kick stand. We had the bike professional painted black. The bike runs and drives perfectly...needs nothing to cruise down the road...This bike is in excellent shape. I can assure you that you won't be disappointed."

So I read up on what I would have to do to get the bike registered and heard that it could be a long process. But since the bike looked and sounded like it was in good shape and the owner assured me that there was no damage to the frame or drive train, I bid my tail off and won the bike for $2700. And then I thought to ask CR4 about it.

Lesson #1: CR4's dedicated readers and writers are made up of a diversely knowledgeable and experienced people. And many are excited to offer suggestions and advice. One forum post netted, in the first 48 hours, 279 views and 57 comments (including my responses). If you ask them, they will come. That should have been the first step before I put a bid in. And I waited until the last half hour to start my biddings so I had plenty of time if I had thought to do it!

Recently, I decided it was time to upgrade my motorcycle. But I didn't have the money to really do it. Then an interesting, if risky, option presented itself: buying a bike that was salvaged and repaired to look like it was in great condition.

The decision, at least to upgrade, was a simple one to make. In June of 2007, I purchased a 1984 Honda Magna VF700 on EBay for $650 (USD). It was cosmetically ugly, but mechanically sound for a 23 year old machine.

So Happy Together

During seven months of riding, I wracked up around 3,800 miles, mostly commuting to and from work down the western part of my county's main two-lane road. I found that the bike was as promised. It was dinged and scratched, but as long as the battery was charged, it always started and had some pep. I couldn't keep up with my buddies with sports bikes, but their bikes were much younger, and I am a much larger person. Still, my bike routinely ran at a fuel efficiency of 37-42 MPG - far more than any vehicle I had ever driven - so I was very happy. Keep in mind that I am not particularly mechanically inclined. I can replace a headlight, change the oil, replace a car's muffler, etc. But tuning a carburetor or replacing breaks are little beyond my cannon - as of right now.

Breaking Down the Costs of Breaking Down

Unfortunately, the maintenance costs of my old bike started to mount. My shop told me that EBay was a more cost-effective way to get parts than anything they could obtain parts with. So, I turned to EBay to buy the following replacement parts:

• Right Hand Controls
• Reason: My starter switch appeared to have burned out
• Cost: $22.99
• Front and Rear Tires (routine maintenance)
• Reason: the front was scalloped and the back was bald
• Cost: $300
• Main Gauge Assembly, Speedo Gear, and Cable
• Reason: Speedometer failed and tail light indicator stuck on
• Cost of Main Gauge Assembly: $99.87
• Cost of Speedo Gear and Cable: $23.91
• Labor Cost:?
• Steering Bearings Replacement (routine maintenance)
• Reason: Worn out over time
• Cost: $300-$350 (estimate from shop)
• Clutch Replacement (routine maintenance)
• Reason: Worn out over time
• Parts Cost: From EBay, about $90
• Labor Cost: CR4 Automotive Forum readers convinced me I could DIY

Deciding It Was Time to Break Up

It was at the italicized points (that all happened at about the same time) when I began evaluating the cost- effectiveness of my old bike. I purchased the bike for $650, and had already spent another $446.78 on parts and repairs before the italicized sections above. Effectively, the repairs totaled my bike. I thought about parting it out (selling the parts, piece by piece), but I wanted someone to still ride it. So, I sold it and all the parts from EBay to my sister's boyfriend as his first bike. But not before I took a deep breath and big risk: I bought a second bike on EBay, but without as much certainty as my first. My latest purchase was a 2002 Honda Magna VF750, but one that had a salvaged title.

My next blog entry will focus on the process of purchasing the salvaged bike, and some warnings and steps that I learned I had to go through before I can even take it for a ride. This blog will run until the first day I can legally ride the new machine to work. This, from what I understand, might take me several months. Read along to see how the process works and learn from what I am sure I will do wrong!

Part 2 Part 3