Topic: When it rains, it pours...My SOHC tale. Shipping and eBay questions

[GroovieGhoulie]

OK, they say when it rains, it pours, and I found that out.

The story:

I have been wanting a motorcycle to save gas and because I want one. In particular, I wanted a Honda SOHC Four-cylinder, because they combine Britbike looks with Japanese reliability, they are cheap, easy to work on and parts are plentiful. I especially wanted a CB400F, because it was Honda's "factory" Cafe Racer: lightweight, slabside tank, rearsets, low handlebars, and swoopy, sexy 4-into-1 exhaust.

The problem was 400Fs are one of the more desirable SOHC Hondas and I could NOT find one that was near me or was cheap or in good shape, or any combo thereof.

So, I decided to compromise and I would just get a SOHC Four regardless of displacement/type, as long as the location was close. So I bid on a CB500 on eBay. There are some issues with the 500's clutch and gearbox and the bike is more oriented towards the "luxury" end of the spectrum compared to the sporty 400F. Not quite what I wanted, but it's clean and the location was close, so I figured what the hell?

After I bid, I get a e-mail from a guy in NY (I'm in Louisana) saying that he has a like-new CB400F with less than 10K on the clock and he wants to sell it. His brother-in-law owned it new since '76 and he was there when he bought it. He got it from him a few years ago. The bike is nearly flawless with only a torn seat cover and cracked mirror, no big deal. There is some minor pitting on part of the chrome, (Brough Superior, it ain't), but it can be buffed out. The price was less than half of what a bike like that should go for, so I jumped on it. The check goes out tomorrow and I should have the title in hand next week. The best part? My GF is going to buy it for my anniversary present as long as I pick up shipping. SWEET!!!

Well, I got sniped on my eBay bike, so I figured no problem, I got the bike I want. Well, it turns out that the bidder may not be eligible, so there's a chance I might get TWO bikes! 

Questions:

1: Does anyone know a good bike shipping company that is fast? We're going into the field on Nov. 4, so I want the bike dropped off before that, hopefully before the end of October.. I am thinking of going with http://www.motorcycleshippers.com Thoughts?

2: I think I am going to back out of the eBay auction and tell the guy to go to the next bidder if the high bid is ineligible. What's the worst he can do? Leave me bad feedback? Woopty-do. Open another account. The current one has zero bids and feedback anyway. Doesn't getting outbid release from any obligations?  I was offered a "second chance", but it wasn't from the seller, so I didn't respond.  Yeah, I'm a ebay n00b.

Thoughts?

[Buffo]

I have never thought of a CB500 as a "Luxury" bike...I think they are a little underpowered for that title....

I personally dont like the vibration of the smaller displacement bikes...they make me nervous and jittery. But are fine bikes...dont get me wrong.

2 bikes...and you can tell the little woman..."hey, It's not my fault...I really only wanted one.".... that type of oportunity doesnt come around often unless you lie to the female...

Buffo The Magnificent

[Gordon]

If the auction has ended, and you were not the high bidder when it ended, then you are under no obligation to buy the bike.  If you were outbid, but then the high bidder retracted or had his bid cancelled before the end of the auction, then you are obligated to pay for the bike.  All bids are binding until the auction is over, regardless of whether or not you were outbid at some point during the auction.  But, like you said, the worst that can happen is you'll get a negative feedback and a black mark on your ebay record. 

From the seller's point of view, he has to pay the listing fee and the final value fee regardless of whether or not the "winner" pays him for the item.  He then has to go through a long, drawn-out process to get his money back from ebay. 

[Einyodeler]

Actually due to the size of the bore and stroke,the 500 has no vibration issues at all even at 100 mph.
 

[Raul CB750K1]

If you weren't the higher bidder when the auction ended, then you have no obligation whatsoever. The seller can send you a second chance offer, but you are not obliged to accept it or deny it. Furthermore, there is no way he can live you bad feedback or cancel a bid once the auction is over. Probably the winner was an auto-bid (himself or a friend bidding to avoid selling for a low price), and when they outbid a genuine buyer, they offer the article for the maximum price the second bidder bid. You can do this: check what was the selling price before the winner outbid you. If he was ineligible, his bid should have never count so he should sell you the bike at the price that was set at that moment. If he agrees and you do, fine -you can resell later-. If not, just go away.

Raul

[dusterdude]

damn biffta,you ever been to eldar`s hammerin school.that was rough

[Uncle Ernie]

Buff-dude, can't imagine what vibration you're talking about. I've had 3 400s and they all ran flawlessly- smooth and quick when you use the whip.  With stock shocks, and because of the short wheel base, some consider the ride a bit choppy on the freeway. I rarely get on the freeway, though.