Topic: Letting One Go

[britman]

I sold my 1965 CL77 (305 Scrambler) this morning and already know I will never be able to replace it, nor should I probably think about doing so.  I built this bike from a rusted frame, locked up motor, missing parts, no title project several years ago.  At my age this was the bike to have back when I was in High School. I grew up poor as a church mouse and I darn sure couldn't afford one back then.  I have owned a few of them through the years, and in my humble opinion, best lines and stance on a motorcycle ever produced. This one was a keeper, motor completely rebuilt, Charlies Place EI, and everything gone through from top to bottom. Sadly when I went into the garage recently I realized it had not even been started in well over a month and I am getting to the point where I have to move bikes around to even have access to tools, something had to give.  At 72 my best friend of late, arthritis, has really impacted my riding time and mobility so the 305 was elected as the first to go.  Will there be more, I am thinking very likely.  The worst thing you can to do a motorcycle is not ride it, so time will tell.  I only posted the bike on Cycle Trader and the first inquiry bought it immediately and will pay for shipping halfway across the Country.  I thought my price was reasonable in todays market, but really outrageous considering what vintage Honda's were bringing a few years back.  One thing for sure, I will miss that bike but dammit you can't keep them all.....

[Alan F.]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[Stev-o]

 I thought my price was reasonable in todays market, but really outrageous considering what vintage Honda's were bringing a few years back.

Hey Britman....can you explain your statement above?  You saying your selling price was outrageously high compared to what it would have sold for say 5 years ago?  It does seem selling prices are higher.

But, I recently bought a '67 CB450 [Bomber], nearly all original for $3500.  Very good running condition, really needs nothing but tires.  By all accounts this was a good buy.

[Ichiban 4]

Hi Britman..

I had to sympathize with your post..about getting older..and having to sell off some of our lovingly acquired and restored old bikes.
I'm just a little older than you..but know what you're saying about stuff with arthritis other "old man stuff" LOL.  Feel we just have to do what we can to reduce the discomfort and get on with life. [feel all the stress of Covid stuff happening over past year+..also hasn't made things easier for most of us BTW].  But feel it does no good to get bummed about it either.  Like to pass that sentiment on to you..if I may.

Back to the arthritis thing..even though I'm from straight medical background [Dentistry]..I much prefer to not take prescription meds..unless absolutely necessary. Over the past several decades..I've experienced some exceptionally effective results from periodic Acupuncture treatments [also from related procedures called 'cupping' and 'moxibustion']. 

As you may know..most of the Western medical approach to arthritis treatment is basically remedial..but generally doesn't consider it to be a curable condition. On the other hand..the Acupuncture approach [which derives from East Asian medicine] views arthritis and related 'inflammatory' conditions as curable..at least to the extend that the energies of the body can be brought back into greater balance or harmony..which then relieves the discomfort or bodily imbalances.

I know that there are some who poo-poo Acupuncture..et al. as valid treatment options [including some in my own family]. But as we all age here..have to deal with the stuff that develops as a result..I can say from experience that some Eastern medical approaches like Acupuncture..et al..do work if one approaches it with a relatively open mind. And..there are few if any side-effects/iatrogenic complications as with regular prescription meds use. So..just wanted to share this as a possible way to deal with the arthritis stuff as we get older here [and still ride our bikes now and then LOL].

Cheers..Ichi

[rb550four]

 Britman, The loss of your scrambler is a very sad story indeed. I have seen many who have struggled with the idea of selling one of their own over the years and  though I don't know you , I can feel your loss from here.
  I have been struggling with the same idea for years but hadn't the strength to part with any of mine yet.  Right or wrong, I just don't know, but some days when I am upset with myself for keeping them I'll march straight out to the shop to choose "the one" and find myself even more upset  after polishing it up for the sale pictures because I've reconnected with it, and then there is just no way to let it go. Yeah, it's only a machine, I get that. But it is really difficult to "cut the cord" , to severe the bond that we have formed with these machines that we were consumed with breathing new life into.
  It's a brave,brave thing you have done.  Perhaps one day I will find the strength to follow your example.

[Don R]

 I thought it would be about farting. Sorry for the levity, tried to brighten the mood a bit. 

[bear]

Depressing isn't it.
I reckon I get a phone call about once a month from people that have tracked me down wanting to buy my SOHC historic RR sidecar, but I just can't bring myself to pull the trigger.
It makes absolutely no sense hanging onto it, but there you go.

[dave500]

ive only got two bikes,one road cb500 and one dirt yammy tt600,at 62 i still out ride guys in their 40s and 50s on dirt mud and #$%* but that wont last forever,the yammy will be the first to go but i love it!remember we are all only custodians of these old bikes n cars and tools and what not,unless ya want em buried with ya?

[ken65]

Sold a few bikes last year that i swore id never sell.
2 x rd350  1974 air cooled .
2  x rd350lc 
98 red and white r1.
86 suzuki slabby.

It was liberating.

Having said that, i still have 5 bikes.
No regrets.

[simon#42]

Depressing isn't it.
I reckon I get a phone call about once a month from people that have tracked me down wanting to buy my SOHC historic RR sidecar, but I just can't bring myself to pull the trigger.
It makes absolutely no sense hanging onto it, but there you go.

i am exactly the same , have about 20 racing bikes that i will never be able to race again
but just cannot seem to be able to get rid of them . they take up space and get in the way but they are staying !

[bear]

After 40+ years of racing bikes this one's the end of the line, there will be no more.
So it sits down in the shed under a tarp and every now and then I sneak down with a beer pull the cover off and remember the times before the #$%* of a thing came within a whisker of taking my life. 

And I'll let you in on a little secret Simon, just don't tell anybody OK. When nobody's watching I talk to it as well.

[simon#42]

i have a tz 350 that i won 100 races on in a season , we sometimes discuss old times although it prefers to let me do the talking !

[BenelliSEI]

Feeling guilty. There are 4-5 fully restored motorcycles at the back end of my shop that have not been run in 5-8 years. Properly stored, but still wrong.....

Reading this makes me realize I need to move them on. Maybe.

[bear]

i have a tz 350 that i won 100 races on in a season , we sometimes discuss old times although it prefers to let me do the talking !

Crikey! 100 wins in a season. I wouldn't have come close to that in the whole six years I road raced.
That's an amazing record Simon.

[Alan F.]

I thought it would be about farting. Sorry for the levity, tried to brighten the mood a bit.

[simon#42]

i have a tz 350 that i won 100 races on in a season , we sometimes discuss old times although it prefers to let me do the talking !

unfortunately only when the bike was a classic as my mates never tire of reminding me !

Crikey! 100 wins in a season. I wouldn't have come close to that in the whole six years I road raced.
That's an amazing record Simon.

[Mr. Mike]

I sold my 305 Scrambler last June. It was a labor of love to restore as I had a CB160 as a kid and always wanted the 305. Owned it since 2008. Yeah on occasion I did the vintage monthly shows, but it became just that...a trophy in my garage. Didn’t ride it much and consequently fell out of love with it. A motorcycle dealership in Utah bought it from me from photographs only. When asked “how much” I wanted for it, I said “Four thousand”. The shop owner said “I’ll give you 35 right now”. No brainer for me at the time, as it was for one thing a safer bet than dealing with CraigsFist or eBay or any other public offer.
I don’t miss it at all. It was fun, but it’s time had come.
We moved to Riverside CA temporarily last January...I hate this town. It’s an f’n traffic jam no matter what reasonable hour you go out. We move permanently to Utah in June and I’m already looking forward to beautiful open roads and to restart my old man riding career again.

[britman]

I am going by the bank this morning to deposit a certified bank check.  I will still miss the hell out of the bike, but the pain is easing somewhat......

[72 yellow]

I am also 71 and have 4 bikes in the garage.  A 2000 1200XL Sportster, 72 CB750 that I rescued and recycled, 71 BSA Lightning and my dads 66 305 Super Hawk. Each bike has a personal story behind it.  I try to ride each bike as often as possible with the exception of the Super Hawk. When my dad could no longer ride he just parked the bike in the garage but kept it up. I have decided that I will let my daughter decide what is to be done with them after I am gone. Up till that time I will just hang on to them. She likes bikes and she is fine with it. 

[BenelliSEI]

I am going by the bank this morning to deposit a certified bank check.  I will still miss the hell out of the bike, but the pain is easing somewhat......

Well done. Move on.

I got a call last night from my best buddy. Terry and I started racing together in the early ‘70’s. He’s four years older than me, just turned 72. 1979-1984 we raced together in the Honda/Michelin Challenge Series. When I’d had enough (17 weekends the last season I won the Championship), I went vintage racing. He went Endurance Racing with a team of then new Honda CRX’s.

The guy never sells anything, and has projects lined up for the next 20 years. Yesterday he called me and said the main sponsor/driver from the CRX day’s still has two of them in his barn. One is a stripped/wrecked shell. The other is damaged, but repairable. Probably sitting for +30 years. He wants them gone, so “free”. I’m suppose to hook up my trailer and meet Terry there Monday.

This morning I’m going to give him a call. This is one dumb idea and he has to stop....... not taking any bets. I’ll postthe outcome next week.

[britman]

I am going by the bank this morning to deposit a certified bank check.  I will still miss the hell out of the bike, but the pain is easing somewhat......

Well done. Move on.

I got a call last night from my best buddy. Terry and I started racing together in the early ‘70’s. He’s four years older than me, just turned 72. 1979-1984 we raced together in the Honda/Michelin Challenge Series. When I’d had enough (17 weekends the last season I won the Championship), I went vintage racing. He went Endurance Racing with a team of then new Honda CRX’s.

The guy never sells anything, and has projects lined up for the next 20 years. Yesterday he called me and said the main sponsor/driver from the CRX day’s still has two of them in his barn. One is a stripped/wrecked shell. The other is damaged, but repairable. Probably sitting for +30 years. He wants them gone, so “free”. I’m suppose to hook up my trailer and meet Terry there Monday.

This morning I’m going to give him a call. This is one dumb idea and he has to stop....... not taking any bets. I’ll postthe outcome next week.

There is a magic word in your post, "FREE".   Good luck and go for it.....

[BenelliSEI]

Called Terry this morning and he had a big dose of “clear thinking”, over night. I told him I’d be happy to show up with my trailer, but I thought he was nuts..... He’d already decided to pass! Phew!

[BenelliSEI]

I did it! Sold the K4 to a friend that really will look after it! Feels good.

[ofreen]

I'll be 67 in a month.  I've accumulated a lot of stuff over the years.  Some of it is starting to feel like an anchor on my ass.  Do I need 3 jeeps?  Do I need 4 project cars?  Will I live long enough to finish them all?  Do I need 4 Ford flathead V8's and various small block Chev engines?  I have been getting rid of other things like firearms I've had for over 40 years and haven't missed them a bit.  Actually it is a relief to be lightening the load.  Plus whoever is left after I am gone won't have to deal with as much of my crap.  I have friends whose fathers have passed on leaving behind big messes that weren't much fun to deal with.  I am going backwards on bikes though, back up to 5.

[BenelliSEI]

I'll be 67 in a month.  I've accumulated a lot of stuff over the years.  Some of it is starting to feel like an anchor on my ass.  Do I need 3 jeeps?  Do I need 4 project cars?  Will I live long enough to finish them all?  Do I need 4 Ford flathead V8's and various small block Chev engines?  I have been getting rid of other things like firearms I've had for over 40 years and haven't missed them a bit.  Actually it is a relief to be lightening the load.  Plus whoever is left after I am gone won't have to deal with as much of my crap.  I have friends whose fathers have passed on leaving behind big messes that weren't much fun to deal with.  I am going backwards on bikes though, back up to 5.

Greg..... I just turned 68 and feel the same. Selling the K4 actually felt good. Still have three CB750 that I totally restored, covered in the back of my shop, and two (K1 and K3) my wife and I ride. Add my Benelli SEI and my KLR650 and still more than I need. My three projects are moving ahead (Rickman, Chopper and the S/C) so not feeling too guilty......