Topic: a dilemma........a major one

[bucky katt]

i got a decent offer for my k4 750 this afternoon, a cash offer, 3000 dollars in fact. we kind of need the money right now and though that isnt anywhere near what i have into it between money and time, this is a daily rider warts and all. as Ilbikes will tell you it sounds pretty damn nice and it runs like a bat out of hell too. i hate the idea of having no motorcycle but the money........... i already sold both projects (suzuki titan, 1976 cb500t) and most of the spare parts i have as well. i likely will not get another one for at least 2 more years, if ever

[bill440cars]

i got a decent offer for my k4 750 this afternoon, a cash offer, 3000 dollars in fact. we kind of need the money right now and though that isnt anywhere near what i have into it between money and time, this is a daily rider warts and all. as Ilbikes will tell you it sounds pretty damn nice and it runs like a bat out of hell too. i hate the idea of having no motorcycle but the money........... i already sold both projects (suzuki titan, 1976 cb500t) and most of the spare parts i have as well. i likely will not get another one for at least 2 more years, if ever

  Jeff, that's a decision that ONLY YOU can make! You have to do what your heart tells you! Don't go by what anyone person might say. You just have to weigh it out and do what's best for ALL. I know the feeling you are having. I felt the same way, when I sold our last roadrunner for cheap! Maybe something will turn up a little bit down the road, that you can pick up on. I certainly don't envy your position.

                                        Hang in there Buddy,  Bill

[verboten1]

I think about it this way.

my bike, if I don't ride it costs me nothing to sit there. pull insurance, and just let it sit.


If I sell it, how much will it cost me to replace?.

maybe I can make rent for a little bit if I sell it. but will I ever have the cash to replace it any time soon?


my answer is usually keep the bike, and find the money somewhere else.

[sangyo soichiro]

I think your bike is more than just a bike.  It's your connection to us.  It's what brought you here in the first place.  It gives you something to think about.  It takes your mind of the crap of the world.  It's a piece of history.  It separates you from all the guys that just buy a brand new bike and don't even know how to change the spark plugs.  I suppose you could replace it for about a grand if you shop around enough, but it's a tough decision....

[Stev-o]

If you REALLY need the money, sell it for 3K and put aside 1K to purchase a project bike, when one turns up.
Do you really wanna go through life w/o one? I know I don't, even if I don't ride that often, but can when/if I want.

Good Luck.

[seaweb11]

I think your bike is more than just a bike.  It's your connection to us.  It's what brought you here in the first place.  It gives you something to think about.  It takes your mind of the crap of the world.  It's a piece of history.  It separates you from all the guys that just buy a brand new bike and don't even know how to change the spark plugs.  I suppose you could replace it for about a grand if you shop around enough, but it's a tough decision....

 

[andy750]

If someone is prepared to pay $3000 for your K4 - sell it.

[hoodellyhoo]

it is a pretty good offer.....

Hard to say what I would do in the same situation.

[Alan F.]

I can't weigh in with a yes or a no. We all must do what we can to get through financially and I've considered the same idea myself recently.  The bike will forgive you, forgiving yourself is the hard part.
-A

[HondaLover77]

Our family has been there and done that, when we moved up here we had 2 bikes and money got very tight, and we had to sell both for cheap oursleves just to pay the rent, It is a very hard desion, U do what u think will be best for you and your family, Right now We are in same boat except it is to sell my running van, as soon as friend gets me my van back i know someone who wants to buy ti for 2k and it's a 94, so i got a very good offer and i think with him being outta work since doc is taking his sweet time getting papers back the van is going by by, I can always get another one sometime down the road. but selling the van will also fix car that i wreaked so i will have another running vechical outta deal as well as rent being paid so u have to weigh the priority of will i be able to get the money somewhere else? if not figure out what you can pay to get caught up. That is what we did today when we got the check from my friend whom we lent money to at income tax time, got everything just about caught up except rent for next month, but comes when we sell the van. so weight the options, u have to have a roof over your head and a piece of mind for virgina to beat the cancer again. Good Luck hun and do what think is best.

[medic09]

I'll weigh in, just cause you didn't ask me.   

On the one hand, the bike is a thing.  It is meant to serve your needs.  If cash to deal with a family crisis is the biggest priority right now, than the daily ride can serve that in a small way.

On the other hand, during a crisis you need an anchor.  Well, you've got all of us miscreants here  ; but sometimes you need a ride.  Being able to ride around doing errands or even go for a short Sunday ride might be the emotional balance you'll need.

The thing is, an emotional support or security blanket is a necessity.  Several of them is a luxury.  So, if you have another support/outlet that can serve your needs; and IF you need that cash - then selling the bike could make some kinda sense.  If everything else around you is stress and crisis and the bike is the only escape/release you have - then retaining it takes on a different value.

Decision is still yours.  I just came by to muddy the waters some... 

[754]

In my world I think there is more 1k or under 750s than there is 3 K of cash staring in my face..


 I have missed many riding years, not usually by choice.. but thats the way it goes sometimes.. around here insirance cost as much as having a bike..

 Sometimes we have to make choices...

  Has to be few cheap bikes if you advertise...

[bender01]

 When I try to sell something I get nothing for it! Especially when i need it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170474922921&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT
 This ones been bouncing around me for a year. This guy bought it from a Marine that wouldnt meet my price and in two weeks he did this! I havent seen it yet in person. Last week he wanted 2k! on CL. It has a salvage title from PA according to the Marine. He got rear ended lightly at a stop light. Except for the grab bar i didnt see much damage. I think he painted the engine to hide the head weep!
http://hiltonhead.craigslist.org/mcy/1684730010.html
Heres some pics from last April of What im sure is the same bike.

I havent called or approached him at all so this info for you should be used as leverage for you. He paid 800 for it 3 weeks ago. I offered 600.
Heres the old pics. If I can help let me know. If you can sell yours and get the dough you need and get into this with leftover $ . I can store it til you need to get it. Im less than 2 hours from Columbia. I heard it run well last may!

[bender01]

Look at this!
http://columbia.craigslist.org/mcy/1700608995.html
  I hope all works out for you. I ve been Praying a few times a day. Not for bikes but Things happen for a reason!

[bucky katt]

just sold the last of my guitars and the amp so for the time being the bike stays. i hope i sold the right things.................

[bill440cars]

just sold the last of my guitars and the amp so for the time being the bike stays. i hope i sold the right things.................

           Time will Tell Jeff. I sure don't know myself.


     

[Caaveman82]

You need to ask yourself if it's worth it. If you put more than that into it, does it really pay to sell it?

[bucky katt]

the guitars are replacable, as much as i'll miss having one. the bike, not so much. in addition to nearly 3k worth of new and rebuilt parts, i have around 500 hours into it. so for the time being the bike stays.

[tramp]

If you REALLY need the money, sell it for 3K and put aside 1K to purchase a project bike, when one turns up.
Do you really wanna go through life w/o one? I know I don't, even if I don't ride that often, but can when/if I want.

Good Luck.

what he said

[kirkn]

Eh, it's a financial call.  Has nothing to do with the 'heart'.  Do you need the 3K?  Sell it.  Bikes are a dime a dozen, particularly just a 'get-riding-kind-of-therapy' bike.  There are riders like that available every single day on craigslist.  Deals come along virtually every week.  Sell it, deal with life, then get another as soon as practical.

But then, having owned over 55 bikes in the past 25 years, I guess I'm just not wrapped that way to 'keep 'er for life'.  

Kirk

[sangyo soichiro]

Eh, it's a financial call.  Has nothing to do with the 'heart'.  Do you need the 3K?  Sell it.  Bikes are a dime a dozen, particularly just a 'get-riding-kind-of-therapy' bike.  There are riders like that available every single day on craigslist.  Deals come along virtually every week.  Sell it, deal with life, then get another as soon as practical.

But then, having owned over 55 bikes in the past 25 years, I guess I'm just not wrapped that way to 'keep 'er for life'.  

Kirk

You and I definitely think in the opposite ways about these things.  I never buy something on a whim.  All my major purchases are well thought out.  I get exactly what I want, and as a result, they mean a lot to me.  I usually buy something with the thought of keeping it for life.  Plus, my cafe is what I took my driving test on to get my MC endorsement.  And I have a lot of work into it, and plans for future modifications.  It would be very difficult if I were forced to sell it.

On the other hand, if I had owned over 55 bikes, I'd feel exactly the same way as you, so I can understand your position.  

I guess it really depends on the individual.  So Bucky, in which camp do you reside?

[The_Crippler]

Shortly after buying a house, between jobs and a few months before getting married, I injured myself pretty badly (hence the name) and I wanted to sell my Vulcan I'd had since the end of high school to get us some extra cash.  It was actually my wife that put the kibosh on that and won't let me.  she made a similar argument to someone above that, sure I could get a couple of grand now - but how much would it cost to replace?

This was a bike that is fairly stock, and I haven't done much work on it.  My connection is in miles from home that I've taken it - but regardless, two years later when I got back on it...I couldn't believe that I'd thought about selling it.

[my78k]

To me posessions are just that...but family is another matter.

Fuzz, I feel for you and what you are going through. Metal can be replaced!

Dennis