Hey everyone ,

I’m looking for some outside perspective on something that’s really personal to me.

My friend passed away recently in a motorcycle accident. He was riding his 2016 Yamaha FZ-09 when it happened. Now the bike is up for sale for $1,645. To be clear, this isn’t about whether it’s financially worth it. I know perfectly well that it would be cheaper to buy another one. For me, this is about honoring him, keeping a part of him alive, and giving the bike a second chance.

Here’s a detailed list of the damages:

	•	The front impact was severe: the front rim is cracked, the forks are bent and leaking 
oil, and the upper triple clamp is broken.

	•	The radiator is destroyed.

	•	The front wheel support and the inner bar of the rim that supports the calipers are both broken.

	•	The tank is crushed almost halfway in.

	•	The right side frame has a crack in the 
part where the crash slider mounts and where the engine mounts to the frame.

	•	The oil pump cover is badly damaged.

	•	One of the engine covers has a deep dent because the slider bent into it.

	•	No headlight or front fender (the carbon fiber fender is damaged but I’m planning to keep it).

	•	No mirrors.

	•	The hand controls are broken (clutch lever, brake lever).

	•	The footpegs and the gear shifter broke off.

	•	The right air intake is completely shattered.

	•	Quickshifter fell off.

	•	The right side of  the cylinder head was hit by the slider, and there’s damage in the frame (I was considering installing a 3-point crash cage to help support the engine).

Basically, this bike took a hard frontal hit and then fell on its side. The core engine might still be okay but there’s a lot to rebuild and replace.

I understand this is a massive project. I’m not asking whether this is “worth it” in dollars. I’m asking whether, emotionally and mechanically, this is something that could be a good idea to do as a tribute. I have some experience wrenching on bikes and I’d be doing a lot of the work myself.

Has anyone here taken on a restoration project like this after losing someone? Was it healing? Did it help you process things? Or does it end up being a constant painful reminder?

I’d really appreciate any thoughts or experiences from people who have been through something similar. Thanks for reading

(Reupload again because I forgot the pics)

My friend passed away on his FZ-09. I’m thinking about buying it and bringing it back to life. Am I crazy or is this a meaningful project?