[FC]

Well, my fall riding season has met with a brief interruption. Or should I say, while parked at a meter on Charles St., my bike was met with a rear bumper of a gray E class Mercedes that was driven by an old man. At least that was what the note said when I found the bike propped up on milk crates with broken windsheild, kick stand, clutch lever, and rear turn signal.

It turns out the note was left by a witness who was good enough to leave his name and number and the plate number of the car. According to him, this old guy pulled into the mouth of a driveway, next to where my Duck was parked. Backed over and sat on top of the Duck while waiting for his significant other to get out of the market and into the car. Then just drove off.

The witness, the owner of the market, and one other person, after hearing all of the crushing noises, came over to see what was going on and picked the bike up and set it on milk crates after the old guy took off.

Nice to know that there are still some good people out there.

Good news; the plate number exists and is registered to an old guy.
Bad news; the plate is registered to a 2001 white cavalier.

This should be fun.
Anyone know where I can pick up a used kick stand mount?

Frank C

 

[CRASH!]

Very sorry to hear of your misfortune. Perhaps the only bright side is that the season is whimpering to a close so you won't lose much in the way of quality riding while you sort it out.

The white cavalier may actually be good news. If this SOB used the plate from another car, he's got more reason to settle with you 'cause he's got some other sh!t going on!

First thing I think is to make sure the plate number is right. Did you get an address on the registration? You chould check it out and see if you can spot either car. Otherwise, maybe the plate if off by one number or letter.

Are you friendly with a cop?

Good luck.

 

[FC]

I am hoping that the guy switched plates. Then I can really screw him. Can anyone say new gas tank?

My insurance agent tried multiple cominations of numbers and letters, but the original one was the only one that was valid. Unfortunately, he can not give out the address.

Also, I called the witness again, days after the incident. He rattled off the same number off the top of his head like it was his birth date.

No cop friends. Got any?

Glad to see you up and about after surgery.

 

[CRASH!]

I know a local cop from coaching little league, but prolly not well enough for hime to do me a favor like giving up a name/address

I guess it's time to file a police report and start working the formal process. Unfortunately, you then lose any leverage you might have with the switched plate.

C'MON, there's gotta be a Mass cop on this board!

I'll check over on CD-ROM for you.

 

[Guest]

Call the DMV and ask how to get the info on the plate. I think you might have to write a letter and then they will send it to you in the mail. Also try the parking office in Boston.

 

[FC]

Thanks for the responses guys. I did finally get somewhere. The first thing I did was file a hit and run report with the cops. They were useless. The one that was the most help was my insurance agent. He has access to the RMV and with enough playing with the plate numbers, he found a match. The witness stated that the plate ended in -600. I suggested trying -GDD, which looks the same from the right angle at night, and that matched up with the car.

So, after a few calls with the other vehicle's insurance, I was informed this morning that they would cover it. The car is insured to a boston hotel, but it is personally used by an 80 year old guy who lives in Beacon Hill. He actually admitted to picking up his wife on that street on that day and couldn't deny that he could of hit something. He apologized, thru the insurance agent, for any problems he caused.

Next step; the claims adjuster.

fc

 

[CRASH!]

Excellent news!

It's always bad to have to claim on your own policy for someone else's mistake.

Hope you get a good enough settlement to get a solid replacement bike or get yours fixed up the way you want.

 

[FC]

Incase anyone out there cares, I just got a check for almost $2700 from the guy's insurance company. I fixed the bike myself for about $300. Not bad.

I tried being a nice guy. I told the claims adjuster I just wanted cash for the parts. He insisted it would be easier getting a detailed write up from a dealer and submit that to the insurance for the payoff. Of course the dealer estimate included everything that was even scratched on the bike and labor.

fc

 

[CRASH!]

Good news!

Now tell us what you're going to spend your "found money" on. DON'T say "rent." You can't spend Ducati insurance money on anything but the bike. Got it?

Let's see, $2400. That would get me the Ohlins shock, Keihin 41mm FCRs, Dynacoils and have $800 left over ;D

C'mon. What's your plan?

 

[Guest]

I could think of some uses.

 

[FC]

Oh yeah. You would know how that feels. At least the person that backed into your ride is offering you beer as compensation.

As for things to do with the money; I was already thinking shock and coils. The question is which shock to go with. I am kind of leaning towards Penske. They give you a height adjusts where the Olins don't.

I will also replace the chain and sprockets and probably go up a few teeth on the rear.

I assume Chris at CA cycleworks would be the place to go for this stuff. Right Don? Will he give a discount for members?

I am holding off on the FCR's for now. I am going to open up the box and rejet the carbs and see how that feels with the new coils.

fc

 

[Guest]

Thats gonna be alot of beer......I'll give you the address to send the keg to.