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[Justin Andrews]

You've trashed the frame, you've trashed the bike.
Any force enough to twist the frame is enough force to knock other parts of the bike out.
I'd not touch any re-framed bike with a barge pole.

I like living.

[Le Z Turbo]

Unfortunatly my insurrance doesn't take it that way. The cost of repairing the bike is lower that the bike value (it was one year ago, now its value is decreasing....). The battery is intact. Should the battery be damaged that would have been another story....
Laurent

[Lipo423]

Mmm...it looks like we have different approaches on this one...

In Europe we replace frames on bikes, cars, etc...and also -if possible- repair them (as long as you have technical guarantees). These big repairs when an insurance company is involved have to be agreed by an expert engineer otherwise is determined by the dealer's engineers.
These guys have also to determine what other parts are damaged, and if they need to be replaced.
If the repairs costs are above the current bike value, then the bike/vehicle is considered "totaled", and the insurance company would make a "current value reimbursement" to the owner

(I have owned +10 bikes so far, and one of them had a chassis repair because of an accident and worked perfectly afterwards) I'm still alive 

It is also true that on Very high performance bikes (which is not the case with a Zero bike) the engineers will look at the chassis with a microscope -you know what I mean- , and discard repair very easily...

The above statement has nothing to do with Zero not supplying the parts, which is really strange (I wonder why)

[Ranga]

The battery is intact. Should the battery be damaged that would have been another story....
Laurent

How do you know the battery is intact.  You said it recharges, but can you discharge it, like making it spin the rear wheel? Is the gauge still operational, and if so, are there no errors?

[NEW2elec]

Unfortunatly my insurrance doesn't take it that way. The cost of repairing the bike is lower that the bike value (it was one year ago, now its value is decreasing....). The battery is intact. Should the battery be damaged that would have been another story....
Laurent

Insurance companies don't run the risk of a Lithium Ion battery fire between their legs, you do.  Zero would not trust a dealer to rebuild a bike. Mine needed the battery replaced and they shipped it across the country to do it their selves.  If you can't get the repairs done there contact Zero and tell them to send you a cost for them shipping it to CA USA and doing all the repairs based on pictures and details you send them show that to your insurance and they should total the bike.  If not SUE SUE SUE.  Because you just can't kick people's asses like you used to.  Good luck

[Electric Terry]

Man, that insurance company is crazy!  Most dealers are not skilled enough with electrics to transpose all the parts to a new frame.  If they want to try fine, but let them give you the value of the bike at the time of the accident and give them the bike and they can sell it if they can get someone to perform the work safely.   Take the money and put it towards a 2016 DSR or something.

One day every dealer will have the skill to understand electric cars, motorcycles or anything.  But it's not there yet.  If the insurance company doesn't understand that, perhaps a letter from a lawyer saying you intend to sue them for unreasonable expectations and delay will make them just wish to settle with you vs going to court.  It may be cold now, but in a month or two I'd love to hear how you got most of the cost of a DSR covered and were able to upgrade.  That would be the ideal situation if you could make it happen.  So sorry to hear this.  I know a buddy, he's on this forum Farfle (Jackson) and he got rear ended on his Zero DS about 2 months ago or maybe less.  The insurance already got him a new 2016 DSR.  Try to do the same if you can.

[KrazyEd]

I generally look for salvage title vehicles ( which is what you will most likely end up with if you get a new frame )
when purchasing a vehicle. If purchased as is, or, if work has been done properly, the value can be tremendous.
On an alternative fuel vehicle, there is so much more to deal with that most aren't familiar with ( as Terry Mentioned ).
Once a vehicle ends up with anything other than a CLEAN title, the manufacturers will generally cancel any possible
warranty on the vehicle, and, you will be on your own if any issues occur. You will also have difficulty getting a loan,
or, full coverage insurance. I would request some kind of guarantee from insurance company that THEY will cover
any issues, should they occur if done the way that they wish. 

[Kocho]

Actually, these Zeros seem to me to be pretty simple to work on. No gas lines, no exhaust, no ABS, no fairings... The mechanics are standard motorcycle stuff. As long as one takes photos during disassembly, reassembly should be a breeze. Having a factory manual for the torque and electrics re-connection procedures is all that's needed beyond that (for example, there may be the need for an in-rush current limiter, a simple incandescent light bulb would do it, for when the battery is reconnected to the motor controller).

A frame can be damaged in a way that nothing else is seriously wrong - it all depends on how the hit took place. Or there could be hidden damage. But waiting a year is ridiculous ...

[KrazyEd]

I agree that as far as R&R goes, not that bad, but, with Zero unwilling to sell a service manual,
you have to hope that nothing internal goes wrong.  The trained dealers are having problems
with Zero backing, how are we poor lay people supposed to fare any better.

[Justin Andrews]

Actually, these Zeros seem to me to be pretty simple to work on. No gas lines, no exhaust, no ABS, no fairings... The mechanics are standard motorcycle stuff. As long as one takes photos during disassembly, reassembly should be a breeze. Having a factory manual for the torque and electrics re-connection procedures is all that's needed beyond that (for example, there may be the need for an in-rush current limiter, a simple incandescent light bulb would do it, for when the battery is reconnected to the motor controller).

A frame can be damaged in a way that nothing else is seriously wrong - it all depends on how the hit took place. Or there could be hidden damage. But waiting a year is ridiculous ...

There are some complications however, for example electrical signal isolation. I would have to wonder if disturbing the frame, or reframing the bike meant you'd need to bear in mind that the isolation resistance to components such as the BMS and the MBB might change.

[Yon]

The guy who bought my 2014 SR laid it down hard a week later. Handlebar, foot pegs, front brake lever, tank and the list goes on. All was repaired and replaced the NEXT day. It's all about the dealer. 

[Le Z Turbo]

Some news about my crashed bike.

I have been to the shop this morning and the dealer has several phone calls from Zero France. It seems that someone is reading the forum ! And I THANK him for his action !

Also I THANK the reader who say I shoudn't change the frame or I will deal with severe electrical problems. We've been around the bike with the dealer and decided not to change it but just have a paint on the lateral scratched part without disassembly. The frame is not bent, only the fork is. But it has a lateral scratch from the fall.

Well I will see if we could now get the parts a little faster than... a year !!!
Have a good (and safe ridding !) weekend
Laurent

[Fivespeed302]

My 2015 Zero SR got smacked in a parking lot on February 5.  The driver tried to take off, but witnesses ran her down and made her stop.  I didn't see it happen.

The driver was a little old lady who was insured, and I already have the check for the repairs.  It's still sitting at the Zero dealership though.  It's been about 25 days, so that's almost an entire month of payment and insurance for a bike I can't ride.  I hope it doesn't take too much longer. 

[Le Z Turbo]

I have been to the shop yerstaday and....... NO PARTS !!!
My dealer has to go through a website that didn't have all the part, is contacting the french-europe representative and still.... nothing !
I now I can see on another post that my DS 2013 should have a battery swap under warranty ? Ha ha ha, may be I'm gonna have the battery before the fork, fender and lateral panels !!! Yes that that kind of part I need, as simple as front fork complete with triple clamps, front fender, lateral panels, rear brake pedal..... nothing really exotic isn't it ?
To be followed.......
Think twice or 10 times before buying here in Europe

Laurent

[Burton]

I understand your frustration Turbo but you are in Europe correct? It might be better to make the argument "you should take more consideration if you are buying a zero out of the states," would it not?

I don't know how to the laws work over there but could you make a case to your insurance provider to "total" the bike since you cannot get replacement parts for it? It seems it would be easier to simply get a whole new bike.

Sorry you are having troubles ... Has the dealer concerned swapping parts off another 2013 sitting in inventory (assuming they even have ones that old)

Which parts can you not acquire from the dealer supply webpage? Maybe people in the community can help track down and send you parts