Inviting comments/advice from anybody that has experience going through the process of repairing and registering a repairable write off.  I am going to try it in SA but it seems the rules are pretty common across all states.  

The bike I'm looking at has some cosmetic damage, but the rules state you have to "fix" even the cosmetic damage.  The frame has a few scratches, just need a touch up.  The clutch and gear levers are broken, plus a few other simple bolt on pieces need changing.  Frame is straight, forks are straight.  Won't need to dismantle the bike or involve an engineer.  

It probably would be a good score for you, and fairly cheap to fix.  You could then turn around and flog it off for a tidy profit if you wanted to, or maybe keep it for your wife to ride. If you're after some original HD levers, send me a PM.

I should have mentioned this one is a Ducati, not a Harley. I don't think there is a lot of money to be made in these things since nobody pays full price for a repaired write off. But if you plan to keep it yourself for a while, it can be a cheap way to get into a current model.

But there is a 2012 Harley Super Glide at next weeks Adelaide auction. And a 2011 Street Glide at the Melbourne auction. Both are repairable write offs.

Thanks Chopa, I wasn't aware of a possible time limit. I will check that out.

I did confirm that SA honour the repairable write off status issued by another state, and they can't/won't overrule it and reclassify it as a stat write off.

SA roadworthy assessors made it clear that you must provide copies of the auction house (or insurance assessor) photos to determine the extent of the damage when you bring it to them for the roadworthy inspection. They will not accept photos from anybody else. The auction house photos are worse quality than a 5 year old could achieve with a disposable camera. Out of focus, sun in the lens, no close ups, etc. So I'm not sure they will be able to form any conclusion other than the bike was written off because the gear lever was bent, clutch lever was broken, mirrors are missing, engine casing is scratched and the frame is scratched. But they will accept "progress" photos from the owner/repairer, after the repair has been initiated. For the scratched frame, they told me to just take a photo of the frame after it had been prepped and primed, before the top coat is applied.

Repairable write off make great track bikes, they are no longer the quick fix and flick proposition they were a few years ago thanks to the "Rebirthing" craze. When you go to sell them they have the resale of a half eaten meat pie, I used to work in auctions that sold write offs, unless it is a super rare collectable its hardly worth the brain damage.

Thanks Ucmitch. What issues would you foresee with a bike that has been classified a repairable write off simply because the new parts alone would cost more than the bike is worth? I've priced up all the parts (New OEM) required to fix this bike and it's a scary sum. The left engine cover on a Ducati is $1000, plus 2 hours labour to replace it.

But I have found a wrecker that has a bike with damage to the opposite side, so everything I need is in good order and the prices are a fraction of new. And as long as I can provide an invoice for the second hand parts I buy showing the VIN of the donor bike I should meet their requirements. And I'm a qualified mechanic so the labour is "free".

I have been told that you can't use the frame, however everything else is OK. Not sure about this, but well worth looking into.

If the bike is relatively new the Insurance company under the terms of it's policy would probably have to use brand new genuine parts so they would have been dealing with the "scary sum". When they work out the repair cost versus what they would have to payout to the insured on the bike less what they get for the wreck, writing it off is a better scenario for them. Say repair cost 15000 or new bike 20000 but insurer will sell the wreck 10000 insurance company is better off writing it off 20000 paid out but 10000 comes back from the wreck. So repairs don't necessarily have to cost more than a new bike. The thing to remember when people are selling these things you have by law disclose that its a repaired write off which narrows the market (not as many people want to buy a bike that has been smashed). Its the element of unknown you can say its repaired and all good but is it?
Working in the industry I have seen plenty of people devastated that have bought repaired wrecks only to find that the car or bike is a complete death trap or requires constant money being thrown at it . In the case of cars I have seen people that fixed up write offs and sold them only to be sued down the track for damages.
Different if your repairing it for yourself because you did the work you know what you started with and what you have now.

I went to the auction today in Perth to bid on the Ducati bike I wanted. I had done plenty of researching on the repairs I thought it might need based on the internet photos, but the reality was a lot more damage than I had considered. For a start, the engine casing was cracked (had a hole in it) and all the engine oil had leaked out. I worked out that it would cost $3500 (conservative minimum) to freight it back to SA, fix it and get the necessary inspections done. The end result would be a bike worth $5500, as a repaired write off. So I was willing to pay up to $2000 for it. The opening bid was $2500 and it sold for $4500 to someone bidding online who wasn't even at the auction. A guy sitting next to me had been bidding on it right up to the end, as well as being the successful bidder for numerous other repairable write offs. I figured he was working for a wrecker and could see more than $4500 of parts value. I asked him why he thought it was worth over $4000. He wasn't a wrecker, he openly admitted that he was buying these bikes, patching them up and selling them off to unsuspecting buyers too lazy to check the bikes history. The scary part was that he pointed out most of the other buyers were doing the same thing. So before you buy your next bike, spend the $3.70 to get a government issued PPSR certificate to verify the history.

https://transact.ppsr.gov.au/ppsr/QuickVINSearch

i am also looking at a repairable writeoff, mine will be for myself so dont give a fuck about resale value.

so basically getting one from the state you live in would make things easier??

But not too many repairable write off Harleys coming through the act. I'd have a look at what's involved in bringing a nsw one into canberra

Yeah mate that's me problem, small state, just getting scared off a bit by the dramas I'm hearing ya can have by re regersting interstate ones. Getting the correct info is half the battle

the 4 or 5 times I have been in the last few years people just go stupid on Harleys for a few more dollars you get a bike out of gumtree
that's not bent and has rego ready to go buy the time you fix them no chance of making a few dollars even with free labour

Seen late model Harleys sold on gumtree which were repairable write offs and sellers were not mentioning where the bikes had come from, wanting full price too. Do a vehicle search even if the guy looks offended, "buyer beware".

Hi, any experience with statutory write off? At water point does this happen? I have an 07 fatty that has a buckled frame from a front on collision and would during what may happen with it. I'm in SA.

A stat write-off can never be registered anywhere in Australia. You now have a heap of parts unless you want to do a heap of research and try and navigate through the minefield involving putting your parts into another frame.

now i'm start to think that my "old" suzuki gs1000g that was written of 25 years ago,which i still obviously own and intend to restore/rego with frame ,parts ect from another donor bike and my original engine and other parts,may not be possible in vic. might have to visit vicroads before i spend any cash.intending to start resto this winter.

Great post great reading thanks 

bloodog

I have a KTM 690 enduro R that is a repairable write-off. I am in Western Australia, how strict is DOT with the cosmetic changes i.e fairing, seat, few scratches. My main damaged item is the key barrell and the locking mechanism has been ripped from the frame.

Done a few