Originally Posted by
jim hughes
If you ask a bike shop operator "is this frame still safe despite the damage" I can't imagine him ever saying "yes" - at least not here in the litigation-crazed U.S.
Don't disagree, especially with the last part.
Look at it this way. I dealer has nothing to gain by saying yes, and lots to lose if he turn's out to be wrong. Not only because of the risk of litigation if he's wrong, but also because this started out as a JRA. OTOH, saying it's unsafe might generate business, and will make him immune to suit.
It's the OPs bike, and his decision whether to ride it or not.