If the frame has a scratch, does it HAVE to be written off?

[motoplast]

A scratch, dent, gash etc on the frame is, in most cases, considered a repairable write off. The reason for this is quite simple, if we are talking a new bike, say something exotic and worth in excess of $30 grand, then providing the cost of a new frame is reasonable, the assessor may approve it to be repaired by a new frame. However in most cases if the bike is under 12 months old and has a replacement value around the 20 grand or less it is often more viable to write it off (repairable) as the cost of a new frame and the labour involved (average $80 per hour) plus other new parts, eg: fairing panels, footpegs etc often exceed 2/3rds the value of the bike, hence it becomes a repairable write off. As a bike shop owner, I would write down on my quote sheet: "In my professional opinion this M/C is beyond economical repair." in most cases the assessor would agree. The insurance company will recoup some of their money by selling the bike at Auction. All bikes under 12 months old should be repaired by new parts only (eg: A fuel tank with a minor scratch that can't be polished out, replace the tank with a new one!.) If the bike is over 12 months old, in most cases, the assessor will approve parts to be repaired and painted eg: fairing panels, fuel tank etc. If the frame is marked, again to repair it would not be (in most cases) viable to fix it. A bike would have to have substantial damage to it to be a Statutory Write Off, ie: can never be reregistered. Parts including the engine can be used again but the compliance plate and V.I.N. (vehicle Identification Number) can never be used again.
A repairable write off over 10 years old is pretty straightforward to reregister, in NSW u will need a Blue slip from an A.U.V.I.S (authorised unregistered vehicle inspection station.) If it is under 10 y.o. it will need a blue slip then be sent to a V.I.U. (vehicle inspection unit R.T.A.) this will cost u $406 ($55 book in fee and $351 inspection fee and to remove said vehicle from the w.o.v.r. written off vehicle register). Confused?
Hope that clears things up for those who weren't sure, any questions p.m. me and I'll try and clarify it . By the way, all of the above will be changing in NSW inside the next 12months.

Cheers,
Tex & Bundy