Author Topic: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !  (Read 2149 times)

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Offline Spanner 1

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So, I've been looking at what seems to be a 250 or 350 scrambler ( can see the upswept exhaust ) in a neighbors back yard for the last year or so. It's mostly hidden behind two trash cans so I can't see all of it but I think it may be a CL 72 250 or a CL350 !! ( YEEEEAS! ). I can see a 'twin' exhaust at tail-light level on the left side ( like the CL's )........ Anyone care to advise/write the note I would put in these folks mailbox to try to get this machine ??
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Offline MJL

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2010, 08:20:32 AM »
*knock knock* Hi my name is.... I live.... and I noticed a bike in your backyard... blah blah I want to fix it and ride it blah blah... 
No matter how fast or how far I rode, I couldn't leave her memory behind.

Offline Hush

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2010, 08:57:18 AM »
"Knock knock", Hi I really hate to bother you but there's this really nice guy in New Zealand named Hush who would really like your scrambler, so if you wouldn't mind crating it up and sending it to Napier he would be much appreciative. ;D
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline vames

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2010, 09:01:57 AM »
I agree that it's best to catch them in the yard or knock on the door to ask. That puts them on the spot, and they'll say "that old thing? you can have it, and let me get the title for you."

A note gives them time to go onto ebay or internets and determine that they have sandcast gold.

Offline Caymen

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2010, 09:02:18 AM »
I did this with a car. I just placed a note on the window that simply said, "I noticed this car sitting here. If you are interested in selling it, I am interested in buying it.".

You could simply place a note on their door saying the same thing. If you really want to make an impression, look them in the eye and make them an offer.


Tom
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Offline ksmith0034

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2010, 10:30:04 AM »
Ask in person!
Take a handful of $20 bills (split between the two pocket in your jeans) in case they start thinking it's worth something now that someone is asking about it.  If they do just point out some of the major issues with the bike, then pull a few $20's out of one pocket and say "Well, looks like I have $60, whaddya think?"  If they don't go for it, pull a couple more $20's from your other pocket and say "This is all I have.  Take it or let it rot, your call."
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Offline Magpie

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2010, 11:01:04 AM »
Knock on the door, ask about it, suggest it needs someone to love it again and you're just the guy to do it. And, that you will never sell it!
Cliff.

Offline Spanner 1

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2010, 11:59:01 AM »
Good advise so far guys, thing is I'm not sure what the bike is !! Could be something less desirable than a CL...!! Anyhow, I know if I go for it, I'd have to take it no-matter what if they offer it to me, or d'yall think it would be O.K. to look and then say, 'Oh, it's not the type of bike I thought it was'...
knowhatimean....
If your sure it's a carb problem; it's ignition,
If your sure it's an ignition problem; it's carbs....

Offline Caymen

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2010, 12:03:39 PM »
Be honest. If it isn't the bike you thought it was, walk away. No harm, no foul. If it is exactly the bike you thought it was, you are happy.

Honesty is always the best.


Tom
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Offline IAmCitizenMe

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #9 on: March 20, 2010, 12:04:35 PM »
*knock knock* Hi my name is.... I live.... and I noticed a bike in your backyard... blah blah I want to fix it and ride it blah blah... 

+1. Face-to-face is always best, In my opinion.

Offline myhondas

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #10 on: March 20, 2010, 12:49:32 PM »
Face to face as neighbors is best. Innocently mention the bike in the yard. If they know anything about it they will probably tell you. "Oh you mean that old 72 CL350 I got....." If they don't, ask if you could take a look at it. If it is something you want, proceed further by asking them what their plans are for it. I say this cause if you start off by offering to buy it, you might find out later that they would have been willing to just give you the bike to get it out of their hair. Does it have a title, or just a bill of sale will make a lot of diff on the value of the bike. Take it slow and cautious and you will probably either walk away from something you are not interested in or you may end up getting a free bike or one very cheap. Just my $0.019 worth.
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Offline BeSeeingYou

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #11 on: March 20, 2010, 03:28:17 PM »
Face to face.  Tell them you are interested in the bike for yourself and would like to get it back on the road.  If they get the impression that you want it cheap to flip it for profit they may not be as accommodating.  It took me a few months to convince my neighbor to part with the 750F but now that he sees it back on the road and that I am enjoying it he is very pleased he sold it.  If I had just flipped it for profit I know he would have been pissed.  Be honest about your intentions as you have to live next to these people.

Offline Retro Rocket

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #12 on: March 20, 2010, 04:30:32 PM »
Try and find out what the bike is first and then tell the owner that you have one that you are fixing up and need his old bike for parts, i just did this with a 1996 mitsubishi lancer and got it for $100 dollars, the guy thought the CV joints were stuffed but it was only low tyre pressure, registered it the next day and it only needed 2 fuses.... ;D My son now has a very tidy and cheap car...

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Offline von_Wanderlust

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #13 on: March 20, 2010, 06:37:30 PM »
the guy thought the CV joints were stuffed but it was only low tyre pressure, registered it the next day and it only needed 2 fuses.... ;D

 :o

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Offline Spanner 1

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #14 on: March 20, 2010, 07:57:41 PM »
O.K..... knock on the door it is !!, as soon as I see life in that house and it's daylight....I'm goin' in...!!   Will report what transpires, here....


Whoops, meant to thank responders for their ideas, so thanks guys............
« Last Edit: March 20, 2010, 07:59:30 PM by Spanner 1 »
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Offline Steve F

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #15 on: March 20, 2010, 08:13:10 PM »
"Knock knock", Hi I really hate to bother you but there's this really nice guy in New Zealand named Hush who would really like your scrambler, so if you wouldn't mind crating it up and sending it to Napier he would be much appreciative. ;D
Hush, just what the hell is this guy gonna do with a bike?

Offline Hush

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #16 on: March 20, 2010, 11:44:30 PM »
Or this guy.....Batman knew who Alan Napier was. ;D

I've got a second option, sneal along the fenceline, when you get near the bike saw a hole in the fence, grab the bike and nail the fence back up...they'll probably never notice the bike is gone. :D
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #17 on: March 20, 2010, 11:53:14 PM »
Whatever you do, don't put anything in their mailbox- kinda illegal if you aren't the USPS.  :o
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Offline von_Wanderlust

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #18 on: March 21, 2010, 04:31:07 AM »
Good luck mate.

(I'm keen to see what happens!)
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Offline Kevin400F

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #19 on: March 21, 2010, 05:34:13 AM »
Back in 1997 I stopped at a house a couple of blocks from me and inquired about a CB400F I noticed sitting in their garage, apparently not being used.  They relayed the story about how it belonged to their son, who had been killed in a truck accident in 1977.  They were still attached to it, even though it had not run for 20 years and was starting to deteriorate somewhat.  Anyway, I thanked them for their time and later wrote them a nice letter with my number in the event they ever changed their mind and would like to see the bike "brought back to life".

Four months later, I got a call and bought the bike from them.  I pushed it home and had it running within a few days.

Offline Don R

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #20 on: March 21, 2010, 10:55:03 AM »
A little sincerity can go a long way. I noticed a bike, and have been looking for something like that. However, many people have brainwashed themselves into believing they will auctually fix it up someday. I tried to buy a low mile Vega car, the engine is broken but the body was nice. It was for sale until I wanted it then the owner freaks because it's now desireable and he better keep it. Under a tarp with a camaro rusting away.
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Offline 754

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #21 on: March 21, 2010, 11:29:25 AM »
 It costs nothing to ask..

 And if you dont ask you will probably never get it.

 I know people that were afraid to ask, cuz ,"it was probably too much".. only to go in later and get it for a reasonable price..
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Offline Joe Mig

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #22 on: March 21, 2010, 12:02:51 PM »
  Nock Nock ; Hello ; I would be willing to remove, that eye saw of a bike on the side of your house and it will not cost you a thing.  ;D
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Offline Tugboat

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Re: Write me the note to try'n get 'abandoned' bike in neighbor's yard !
« Reply #23 on: March 23, 2010, 12:51:10 PM »
Hey Ray - buy me a 12-er and maybe it'll mysteriously show up in yr garage :)
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